# A Southern Delicacy: Charleston Crab and Grits
In the heart of the Lowcountry, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the lush greenery, lies a culinary gem that embodies the essence of Southern cuisine: Charleston crab and grits. This iconic dish is a symphony of flavors, textures, and colors, a marriage of fresh seafood, creamy grits, and a medley of aromatic spices. The sweet and succulent crab meat dances upon a bed of creamy, cheesy grits, while a tapestry of flavors, from the smokiness of bacon to the tanginess of tomatoes, weaves its magic. The dish is a testament to the bounty of the sea and the land, a culinary love letter to the region's rich history and culture. Whether you savor it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Charleston crab and grits is a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more.
## Recipes Included in the Article:
1. **Classic Charleston Crab and Grits:**
A timeless recipe that captures the essence of this iconic dish, featuring fresh crab meat, creamy grits, and a flavorful sauce made from bacon, onions, bell peppers, and spices.
2. **Lowcountry Crab and Grits with Okra and Tomatoes:**
A variation that adds a touch of Southern charm with the inclusion of okra and tomatoes, creating a vibrant and flavorful dish that showcases the region's produce.
3. **Spicy Crab and Grits with Jalapeños:**
For those who love a bit of heat, this recipe incorporates jalapeños into the mix, adding a spicy kick that complements the richness of the crab and grits.
4. **Seafood Combo Crab and Grits with Shrimp and Sausage:**
A hearty and indulgent version that combines crab meat with succulent shrimp and savory sausage, creating a seafood extravaganza that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
5. **Crab and Grits Casserole:**
A comforting and convenient casserole version of the classic dish, perfect for busy weeknights or potluck gatherings, featuring layers of creamy grits, crab meat, and a cheesy topping.
CHARLESTON SHRIMP AND GRITS WITH TASSO BLUE CRAB GRAVY
Steps:
- To make the Tasoo Blue Crab Gravy: Preheat a large bottom pot to medium-high heat.
- Add butter to pot and let melt. Add ham, white onion, peppers, Cajun seasoning, salt, brown sugar, onion powder, and minced garlic. Stir in flour and continue to cook while stirring until you achieve a dark brown color, a brown roux. Slowly whisk in 6 cups of fish stock, add slowly to help avoid lumps. Bring to a boil and use remaining 2 cups of stock to adjust for consistency. Remove from heat and add the crabmeat. Set aside for use.
- In a saute pan, over medium-high heat, saute shrimp and sausage. Place shrimp and sausage over grits, if using, and top with crab gravy sauce.
CHARLESTON CRAB AND GRITS
A family favorite! Easy, delicious, comforting cheesy grits and crab. Great as an appetizer or a meal on its own. If you like spicy, add an entire can of diced tomatoes with green chiles.
Provided by PantherLover
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes Grits
Time 55m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and place a steamer insert into the pot. Break crab legs apart at joints. Place king crab legs into the steamer, cover pot, reduce heat to medium, and steam crab legs until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove crab leg segments. When cool enough to handle, crack the crab leg shells, pick off shells, and remove meat.
- Bring chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan; slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat to low, cover pan, and simmer grits until tender, about 20 minutes. Stir grits occasionally.
- When grits are thickened and tender, stir Cheddar cheese and diced tomatoes with green chiles into grits until the cheese is smoothly melted.
- Melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When mixture begins to bubble, stir in green bell pepper and sweet onion; cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Cook and stir crab meat into bell pepper and onion until crab meat is heated through. Gently mix the cheese grits into the crab mixture; simmer 3 to 5 minutes to blend flavors, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 399.2 calories, Carbohydrate 8.8 g, Cholesterol 119.9 mg, Fat 24.9 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 33.8 g, SaturatedFat 12.4 g, Sodium 2130.8 mg, Sugar 2.2 g
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients whenever possible. The freshness of your ingredients will greatly impact the flavor of your dish.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of crab. Blue crab, Dungeness crab, and Jonah crab are all popular choices for crab and grits, but you can use any type of crab you like.
- Be careful not to overcook the crab. Crab is a delicate meat, and it can easily become tough if it is overcooked.
- Season the crab and grits to taste. You may want to add additional salt, pepper, or other seasonings to taste.
- Serve the crab and grits immediately. Crab and grits is best when it is served hot and fresh.
Conclusion:
Crab and grits is a classic Southern dish that is enjoyed by people all over the world. It is a simple dish to make, but it is packed with flavor. With its creamy sauce, tender crab, and cheesy grits, crab and grits is a dish that is sure to please everyone at your table. You can also add extra vegetables for health benefits.
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