Tara's Favorite Shrimp and Grits

“Grits aren't just for breakfast!” - Tara Olson

Shrimp and Grits--Delicious for Brunch or a Light Supper

Grits was not a food I grew up eating. It wasn't until I married Eric that my pantry even contained grits, and that only happened when he did the grocery shopping. At some point after we had children, Eric convinced me to try grits. They were laden with cheddar cheese and butter, and I had to admit they were absolutely delicious!

From that moment on I became a fan of grits for breakfast. It took a few more years for me to appreciate eating something other than bacon and eggs with my grits.

Shrimp and Grits have become a staple for dinner at my house. I have an electric pressure cooker from Pampered Chef called the Quick Cooker. This is one of their recipes that I believe can be adapted to other electric pressure cookers, or to traditional pots on your stove. However you prepare it, you'll love the way it tastes.

Pressure Cooker Shrimp & Grits

Ingredients for Shrimp Mixture

2 links spicy chicken sausage, like andouille

1 green bell pepper (My family doesn't care for green bell pepper so I just double up on the orange or yellow)

1 orange or yellow bell pepper

2 green onions

1 Tblsp vegetable oil

2 garlic cloves, pressed (I use 1/2 tsp of garlic powder if I don't have fresh cloves.)

1 Tblsp Seasoning Salt

1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained

1 lb raw medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed

Ingredients for Grits

3 cups boiling water

1 cup instant grits

1/4 tsp salt

4 oz cheddar cheese, coarsely grated

Instructions

1. Slice the sausage, peppers, and white portion of the green onions.

2. Heat the oil in the pressure cooker for about 2 minutes. Add the sausage and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the peppers, onions, garlic, and Seasoning Salt. Cook until vegetables have softened, about 3 minutes.

3. Stir in the tomatoes and shrimp.

4. Cook 1 cup of grits per instructions on the package of grits. OR,

   If using an electric pressure cooker, such as the Pampered Chef Quick Cooker, then place the wire rack on top of the shrimp mixture.

   Pour water into the ceramic pot & whisk in the grits and salt. Cover and carefully lower the pot onto the rack.

5. Cook on Fish/Seafood setting for 3 minutes. Then manually release the pressure.

6. Whisk cheese in the cooked grits. Serve the shrimp mixture over the grits.