Shrimp and Cheesy Grits - Home Cooked Recipe 68

I have fully embrace southern cooking! We never ate things like collards or black eyed peas or grits when I was growing up in NY.  And now I make and enjoy them with gusto!  I have made grits several times before, but never how I have for this recipe.  And guess what?  It was super easy!  The shrimp is also fast and simple to prepare.  Try this recipe soon!

Shrimp and Cheesy Grits

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 1 cup quick cooking grits (I used Quaker, do NOT use instant grits)
• salt and pepper
• garlic powder
• 4 oz shredded cheddar (I actually used a cheddar mix from Sargent
• 2 oz grated parmesan
• 8 tbs butter, divided
• 1 lb shrimp, shelled and deveined
• chili powder
• cayenne
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced finely
• fresh lemon slices

***optional: cook grits in chicken broth instead of water for more flavor - although mine were PLENTY flavorful! you can omit garlic powder from grits if you think the garlic in the shrimp is enough.  you can also use cajun spice in place of cayenne and chili powder when seasoning shrimp.***

Directions:
Preheat oven broiler.
Rinse and dry shrimp well.  Season with a dash of chili powder, dash of cayenne, and salt and pepper.  Melt 6 tbs of butter, add minced garlic and let simmer 5 minutes.  Toss seasoned shrimp with butter and put in a baking dish.  Broil for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring water to a boil.  Season with salt (about a teaspoon), and a dash of garlic powder.  When boiling, whisk in grits and turn heat to medium low.  Allow grits to cook about 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in remaining 2 tbs butter.  When butter is fully incorporated, add in cheeses and mix well.
Place a bed of grits on plate, and top with shrimp (and some butter from baking dish!).  Squeeze some lemon on if desired.  
Enjoy!