SHRIMP AND GRITS WITH CREAMED SPINACH, TOMATO CONFIT AND SMOKED BACON GASTRIQUE

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Shrimp and Grits with Creamed Spinach, Tomato Confit and Smoked Bacon Gastrique image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 39

1 pint grape tomatoes
1 green tomato, cored and cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 red onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed on cutting board with broad side of chef's knife.
2 ounces bacon fat, melted
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
5 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves, fresh if possible
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 sprig fresh sage
Salt and pepper
Pinch of sugar
2 pounds fresh, mild shrimp (16/20 count), peeled and deveined (shells reserved)
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons clarified butter
3 cups heavy cream
1 pint chicken broth, plus more if necessary
1 pint corn stock (made by boiling corn cobs in water for 1 hour)
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Salt
1 pint quick-cooking grits, such as Anson Mills Antebellum Quick Grits
Cracked black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 Vidalia onion, rough chopped
1 bay leaf, fresh if possible
2 tablespoons minced garlic
Salt
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds baby spinach
1/2 pound thick-cut smoked bacon, cut into (small) 1/4-inch dice
1/2 yellow onion, peeled and cut into (small) 1/4-inch dice
2 garlic cloves, peeled, smashed and chopped finely
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup Marsala wine
1/2 cup sherry wine
1/2 cup sherry vinegar

Steps:

  • For the tomato confit: Preheat the oven to 220 degrees F. Combine the grape tomatoes, green tomato, red onion, garlic, bacon fat, olive oil, thyme, bay leaves, rosemary, sage and a pinch each of salt, pepper and sugar in a small casserole dish. Cover the casserole with foil and place it in the center oven rack. Let cook for at least 2 hours. Carefully remove the foil and inspect the confit: The grape tomatoes should be wilted, but not popped, and the red onions should be nice and brightly translucent. Discard the herb sprigs and bay leaves and keep the confit covered near the stove until ready to plate.
  • For the shrimp: Heat an 11-inch saute pan over medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and keep dry. Warm the butter in the pan. In batches, sear the shrimp on both sides for 2 minutes in butter. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and keep warm. Reserve the pan and drippings for the spinach.
  • For the grits: Combine the cream, chicken broth, corn stock, butter, thyme and garlic in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat and cook until boiling. Season the liquid lightly with salt. Slowly stir the grits into the liquid. Once all the grits are incorporated, turn the heat down to low and cook, stirring every minute or so, until cooked, about 10 minutes. You will know the grits are done when there's still a little texture, but the grains don't stick to your teeth. Finish with some cracked black pepper and cover until plating. If the grits become thick after standing, adding warm chicken stock will help to thin them.
  • For the shrimp creamed spinach: Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups of the reserved shrimp shells and sear until the shells are bright and release a nice shellfish aroma, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the Vidalia onion, bay leaf and 1 tablespoon of the garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes. Reduce the heat, add the cream and simmer until thickened and reduced slightly, 10 to 12 minutes. Strain through a mesh strainer and reserve.
  • Bring a medium pot half full of salted water to a boil. In the meantime, place a large bowl of ice water nearby. When the water is boiling, add the spinach and blanch for about 30 seconds. Use tongs and carefully remove the spinach to the ice water. Drain with a colander and set aside to let dry for a few minutes.
  • In the same pan used to sear the shrimp, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and cook until just beginning to wilt, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon garlic and the shrimp cream and cook until the cream thickens.
  • For the bacon gastrique: Cook the bacon in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat until almost crispy, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the onion and garlic and sweat lightly over medium heat until translucent. Add the brown sugar, Marsala, sherry wine and vinegar and cook until reduced, about 15 minutes, then taste. The gastrique should be rather on the thin side--chunky and sweet with a nice acidity and dark in color. Cover and keep warm until ready to plate.
  • To serve: Scoop about 1 cup grits each in the center of 4 entree bowls. Divide the cream spinach among the bowls, placing it in the middle, standing tall on the grits. Arrange 6 to 8 shrimp around the spinach in each bowl. Next, spoon the warm confit tomato on top of the cream spinach. Finish with a spoon of the smoked bacon gastrique around the edge of the bowl.

Riley Kollm
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I would highly recommend this recipe to anyone who loves shrimp and grits.


Tommi Devick
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This dish is a bit pricey to make, but it's worth every penny.


anglo massoud
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I love the way the shrimp and grits are cooked in this recipe. They're always so tender and flavorful.


Main Danial
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I've made this dish several times and it always turns out perfectly. It's a great recipe for beginners.


Ajewole Anuoluwapo
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This is one of my favorite shrimp and grits recipes. It's always a hit with my family and friends.


Maurice Munoz
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I love that this recipe can be made ahead of time. It's perfect for busy weeknights.


master savage
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This dish is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.


Gurpreet Narang
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I'm not a huge fan of shrimp, but I really enjoyed this dish. The flavors were amazing.


Husnain 4508
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This recipe is a keeper! I will definitely be making it again and again.


Sajid Mohamnadsajid
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I made this dish for a special occasion and it was a huge success. Everyone loved it!


Mohamed Fowjoon
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I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone who loves shrimp and grits.


Ladrell Wright
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This dish was a bit time-consuming to make, but it was definitely worth the effort.


Tension Ashik
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The smoked bacon gastrique was the perfect finishing touch. It added a lovely smoky flavor to the dish.


UAE Dubai
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The tomato confit was a great way to add a pop of color and sweetness to the dish.


Catherine spencer
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I loved the addition of the creamed spinach. It added a nice touch of richness to the dish.


Chelslea Clark
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The shrimp were cooked to perfection and the grits were creamy and flavorful.


pradeep sookdaw
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I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfectly. I was so impressed with how easy it was to make.


Ropali Akter
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This dish was a hit at my dinner party! Everyone raved about the flavors and presentation.


Allan CITY
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I've tried a lot of shrimp and grits recipes, but this one is by far the best. The creamed spinach, tomato confit, and smoked bacon gastrique really take it to the next level.


milad safarnia
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Oh my! This shrimp and grits dish was absolutely divine! The combination of flavors and textures was out of this world.