Recipe: Crooks Corner Shrimp and Cheese Grits

Crooks Corner Shrimp and Cheese Grits
rec.food.recipes/Joan & Alfred Clubok
From the restaurant of the same name in Chapel Hill
Serves 4

6 cups (or more) water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups quick-cooking grits
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco) - a lot

12 bacon slices, coarsely chopped
2 pounds large uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined
1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
2 cups sliced green onions
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Bring 6 cups water and salt to boil in heavy large saucepan. Whisk in grits. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until mixture is thick and grits are tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Whisk in 1 cup cheese and nutmeg. Season to taste with hot pepper sauce. Cover and set aside. Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until brown but not crisp. Transfer bacon to small bowl, using slotted spoon. Pour off half of drippings from skillet. Add shrimp to same skillet and cook until just pink, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer shrimp to plate, using slotted spoon. Add mushrooms to same skillet and saute until tender, about 4 minutes. Add green onions and garlic and saute 3 minutes. Return shrimp and bacon to skillet. Mix in lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce.

Bring grits to simmer, adding water by tablespoons if too thick. Spoon grits onto plates. Spoon shrimp mixture over. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.