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Creamy, stone-ground grits topped with a rich, spicy gravy of sautéed shrimp and smoky Tasso ham. A true taste of New Orleans, this dish is the ultimate Southern comfort food, perfect for brunch or dinner.
For 4 servings
Cook the Grits
Prepare the Gravy Base
Creamy, stone-ground grits topped with a rich, spicy gravy of sautéed shrimp and smoky Tasso ham. A true taste of New Orleans, this dish is the ultimate Southern comfort food, perfect for brunch or dinner.
This cajun_creole recipe takes 55 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 754.86 calories per serving with 45.28g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for breakfast or brunch or lunch or dinner.
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Simmer the Gravy
Add Shrimp and Finish
Assemble and Serve
Substitute the shrimp with crawfish tails, diced chicken thighs, or sliced andouille sausage for a different flavor profile.
Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper along with the Cajun seasoning, or serve with your favorite Louisiana-style hot sauce on the side.
Sauté 8 ounces of sliced cremini mushrooms with the holy trinity for an earthier flavor and added texture.
If you're short on time, you can use quick-cooking grits, but be aware that the texture will be less creamy and traditional. Follow the package instructions for cooking.
Shrimp is a high-quality, lean protein source that is essential for building and repairing tissues, including muscle. A single serving of this dish provides a significant portion of your daily protein needs.
Shrimp is one of the best dietary sources of selenium, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and supports thyroid function and a healthy immune system.
This dish contains various B vitamins, particularly B12 from the shrimp and dairy, which are crucial for nerve function and the formation of red blood cells, helping to combat fatigue.
This dish is a rich and indulgent comfort food. While shrimp provides lean protein, the dish is high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium due to the butter, cheese, heavy cream, and Tasso ham. It's best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a regular meal.
A typical serving of Shrimp and Tasso Grits contains approximately 700-850 calories, depending on the specific ingredients and portion size. This estimate includes the cheesy grits and the creamy shrimp and Tasso gravy.
Tasso ham is not a true ham, but a specialty of South Louisiana cuisine. It's a piece of pork shoulder that is cured and heavily seasoned with spices like cayenne pepper, then smoked. It's intensely flavorful, spicy, and salty, used primarily as a seasoning meat.
You can prepare the components separately. The grits can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stove with a splash of milk or cream to restore their creamy texture. The gravy base (without the shrimp) can also be made a day in advance. Reheat the gravy and add the shrimp just before serving to prevent them from overcooking.
To prevent lumps, add the grits to the simmering liquid in a very slow, steady stream while whisking constantly. If you still get lumps, you can often fix them by using an immersion blender for a few seconds or by vigorously whisking the grits until they smooth out.
This is a very complete meal on its own. However, a simple side of collard greens, a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette, or some crusty French bread to soak up the gravy would be excellent accompaniments.
This recipe goes great with these complete meals
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