Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Fried Catfish
Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Fried Catfish
Ingredients
For the Shrimp and Grits
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Southern Made Creole seasoning
- 4 strips bacon
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup quick-cooking grits
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
For the Fried Catfish
- 4 catfish fillets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 cups vegetable oil, for frying
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, optional
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the shrimp: In a medium bowl, combine the peeled and deveined shrimp with Italian seasoning and Southern Made Creole seasoning. Toss to coat evenly and set aside to marinate.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Cook the bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon strips over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet, reserving the bacon drippings. Crumble the cooked bacon and set aside for garnish.
⏱️ 8 min
- 3
Cook the shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet with the reserved bacon drippings. Cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 6 min
- 4
Prepare the grits: In a medium saucepan, combine chicken broth and milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in the quick-cooking grits, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Simmer the grits: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the grits are thick and creamy, stirring occasionally. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, unsalted butter, salt, and black pepper until melted and well combined.
⏱️ 7 min
- 6
Prepare the catfish breading: In a shallow dish, combine all-purpose flour, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well. In another shallow dish, whisk the egg and milk together.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Bread the catfish: Dip each catfish fillet first into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the flour and cornmeal mixture, pressing to ensure it's fully coated.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Fry the catfish: Heat vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the breaded catfish fillets into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 4-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the catfish from the oil and place on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 350
- 9
Assemble and serve: Divide the creamy grits among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with a portion of the cooked shrimp and a fried catfish fillet. Garnish with crumbled bacon and fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Fried Catfish
Ingredients
For the Shrimp and Grits
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Southern Made Creole seasoning
- 4 strips bacon
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup quick-cooking grits
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
For the Fried Catfish
- 4 catfish fillets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 cups vegetable oil, for frying
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, optional
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the shrimp: In a medium bowl, combine the peeled and deveined shrimp with Italian seasoning and Southern Made Creole seasoning. Toss to coat evenly and set aside to marinate.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Cook the bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon strips over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet, reserving the bacon drippings. Crumble the cooked bacon and set aside for garnish.
⏱️ 8 min - 3
Cook the shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet with the reserved bacon drippings. Cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 6 min - 4
Prepare the grits: In a medium saucepan, combine chicken broth and milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in the quick-cooking grits, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Simmer the grits: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the grits are thick and creamy, stirring occasionally. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, unsalted butter, salt, and black pepper until melted and well combined.
⏱️ 7 min - 6
Prepare the catfish breading: In a shallow dish, combine all-purpose flour, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well. In another shallow dish, whisk the egg and milk together.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Bread the catfish: Dip each catfish fillet first into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the flour and cornmeal mixture, pressing to ensure it's fully coated.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Fry the catfish: Heat vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the breaded catfish fillets into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 4-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the catfish from the oil and place on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 350 - 9
Assemble and serve: Divide the creamy grits among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with a portion of the cooked shrimp and a fried catfish fillet. Garnish with crumbled bacon and fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 min