finally!  right?  i know, i know.  and i know i keep saying i will be better about posting more recipes, but this time i mean it.  really.  or at least more food related posts.  will that work?

in the meantime, i give you the most delicious shrimp and grits recipe i have had outside of the south.  but this one is inspired by bobby's.  i found his recipe a few nights ago and had to give it a try  - with my own twist of course.  and something about the heat of the day called for an icy cocktail as well.  enjoy...

shrimp & grits:

~ 4 c. water

~ salt and pepper

~ 1 c. corn grits

~ 2 T butter

~ 2 t olive oil

~ 1 c. shredded sharp cheddar

~ 1 c. shredded havarti

~ 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

~ 8 slices of thick rashers

~ 2 t lemon juice

~ 1 garlic clove

~ 1 T fresh thyme

bring water to a boil.  add salt and pepper then pour in the cup of uncooked grits.  stir just a bit then partially cover the pan - let simmer until all of the water is absorbed. {*note:  people can get rather picky about the definition of properly cooked grits - if you like them a bit soupy {like my husband} pull them off the heat when the consistency resembles a thin oatmeal.  if you want your fork to be able to stand up in them - like me - they can go a bit longer}  once cooked, add butter and cheese - stir until well incorporated, cover and set aside.

while the grits are cooking, fry the bacon until cooked as desired.  pat dry with a paper towel and roughly chop - set aside.  add the clove of garlic to the bacon grease - when it begins to turn gold, add the shrimp, lemon juice and thyme.  cook until the shrimp are pink.  toss in bacon.

to serve - plate grits and spoon shrimp mixture over - and holy heaven.

the rangpur sunrise:

let me start by saying that when i mix drinks - i never really measure anything and i tend to pour enough for 4-6 people as opposed to two - just keep that in mind when reviewing the measures... taste it - you will know if it's right.

~ 1 c. tanqueray rangpur gin

~ 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice

~ 4 c. orange juice

mix together well and pour over ice - garnish with orange slices... and be warned it goes down wicked easy. 

happy summer...

xoox~jla

Comments

[Jen]

Oh boy, cannot even wait to try both of these. Happy Summer!

[Andrea]

these look delicious and the photos are gorgeous.

[Megan]

Thanks for the recipe...it looks delicious. I can't wait to try it out. Lovely pictures as always. Happy 4th of July!
xoxo-Meg
fiddlesticksandfunnygirls.blogspot.com

[KinaBolina]

I don't know what rashers out, but I love me some shrimp and grits! Awesome photo. :)

[tto]

you had me at shrimp. and at grits.

[jla]

kina - rashers are bacon - nice, big, thick pieces of bacon ;)

[Chris]

I can't tell you how much this made my day!

I love how much night of shrimp & grits with friends crammed in my apartment brings a little bit of the home to NYC.

Beautiful photography, as always.

[the purcells]

we've been wanting to make shirmp & grits soon - these look delicious and the photos are gorgeous too (of course)!

[Toast 2 Mom]

Good gracious grit all mighty...that sounds awesome! :)

[Denise]

Holy heaven is right. I made this tonight and it was a HUGE hit. Thanks for sharing! More recipes, please. :)

[jla]

thanks y'all! that is what you say in the south ;)

so glad the family loved it denise - not very kosher - but who are we kidding - right? ;) xoox