HOW TO COOK GRITS FOR 1 RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat and soak the grits. Place 4 cups water, 1 1/2 cups grits, 2 dried bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a large pot or Dutch oven and bring to a boil over high heat. Immediately remove from the heat, cover, and set aside for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the butter and cheese.
• Prepare the butter and cheese. Cut 8 tablespoons unsalted butter into 8 pieces and grate until you have 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Boil the grits. Uncover and return the grits to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring regularly with a whisk and scraping the bottom to prevent clumping or burning, for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Finish the grits. The grits are ready when most of the water is absorbed and the grits are al dente (tender with a toothsome bite). Remove from the heat. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the butter, cheese, and 1 cup heavy cream just before serving.

Steps:

• First, peel and devein the shrimp. In a small bowl, combine Cajun seasoning, paprika, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the shrimp to coat well and set the shrimp aside.
• Next, make your grits. In a medium saucepan, bring water, chicken bouillon cubes and 2 tablespoons butter to a boil. Slowly add the grits, whisking often with wire whisk for 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, cream, and cheese. Keep whisking for another 2 or 3 minutes until the grits become creamy. Don't skimp on the butter and the cream, folks.
• Now saute the shrimp. In a large saute pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add in the spice-coated shrimp, and cook only until they're just done and tender. Don't overcook. Remove the shrimp from the saute pan and set them aside in a bowl. You can taste 1 or 2, to see if they're okay.
• The roux is next. With all those wonderful drippings from the shrimp in the saute pan, add 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and stir with a wooden spatula to make a roux. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes until roux reaches a medium-tan color, then slowly add the chicken stock and heavy whipping cream. Whisk together and cook for 2 minutes, then whisk in Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Set aside.
• And last, a little country ham. Cook 1 center slice of cured country ham in a saute pan, and cut into cubes.
• To serve, and this is the best part-place a few heaping spoonfuls of steaming cheese grits onto a place, top with several sizzling shrimp. Drizzle that wonderful roux sauce over top of the shrimp, and sprinkle on a few cubes of country ham. Enjoy.