It may look like a sad little package shoved in the back of your freezer, but frozen spinach actually has a lot of culinary uses (and some may surprise you).

Grits and gravy gets a surf-and-turf upgrade. Creamy grits stirred with cheese, shrimp, and green onion pair with savory bacon gravy for a mouthwatering twist on a southern savory staple.

Grits
1 cup quick-cooking grits
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 pound shrimp, raw, diced
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar and havarti are excellent!)
4 medium green onions, diced
Gravy
4 slices bacon, diced
1/2 medium white onion, chopped into dice
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup milk or heavy cream
1 tablespoon creole spice mix (or to taste)
Combine all grits, heavy cream and chicken broth in heavy sauce pan. Cook on low until creamy and thick. Use a wooden spoon to stir grits often to keep from scorching. Spoon will stand on its own when grits are thick enough. While still hot, add remaining grits ingredients. Stir until well blended. Cheeses will be melting into grits and shrimp will cook. Set aside and allow to cool. When cool enough to handle, shape into patties and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate.
For Gravy: Saute bacon until crispy, but not dark brown. Add onions and cook on medium until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in flour and saute until slightly cooked. Add liquids and spice mix. Cook on low until creamy and thickened. You may thin gravy with more milk or chicken broth, if desired.
Lightly dust grits in flour. Heat butter (preferably clarified) in non-stick pan. Carefully lay grits patty in butter and saute until golden on down-side, (2 minutes) then flip and cook 2 minutes on other side. (Drain for a moment on paper if desired). Pour hot gravy into a puddle on plate and lay grits on top. Garnish with parsley and paprika.
sandyu42
It may look like a sad little package shoved in the back of your freezer, but frozen spinach actually has a lot of culinary uses (and some may surprise you).
Ah, the unassuming envelope of onion soup mix. It's more than just for onion soup (or dip). It adds tremendous flavor (and convenience) in all these recipes.
A can of cream of mushroom soup can be a real dinner saver. It works great in casseroles and can turn into a sauce or gravy in a pinch.

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reviews & comments
October 1, 2013
Shrimp and grits are one of my guilty pleasures. I grew up with them and can't live without 'em. This recipe is spot on for satisfying those grits cravings. Grits are easy to make, the trick is to stir stir stir. And the gravy is a heart attack waiting to happen, but you'll die happy. I recommend this recipe if you are looking for some seriously good food. Next time I make this I'll try to remember to snap a picture before I dive in.