Description
Delicious Shrimp and Scallion Grit Cups featuring creamy cheese centers, perfectly combining tender shrimp sautéed with garlic and smoked paprika, nestled atop smooth stone-ground grits baked to golden perfection. This savory appetizer offers a delightful balance of cheesy richness and fresh scallion notes, ideal for entertaining or a flavor-packed small plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Grits Base
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Shrimp Topping
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 scallions, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the grits: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of stone-ground grits to avoid lumps. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the grits thicken to a creamy consistency.
- Make the cheese grits: Remove the pot from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup softened cream cheese, and 2 tablespoons butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sauté garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook shrimp and scallions: Add 1/2 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, sliced scallions, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and opaque, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Prepare muffin tin and oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin generously to prevent sticking.
- Assemble grits cups: Spoon the cheese grits into each muffin cup halfway. Add a small dollop of cream cheese in the center of each cup, then cover with more of the cheesy grits mixture to seal in the creamy center.
- Bake grits cups: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the tops are set and slightly golden.
- Add shrimp topping: Remove the grits cups from the oven and top each one with the warm shrimp and scallion mixture, distributing evenly.
- Serve warm: Serve these savory shrimp and scallion grits cups warm as a delightful appetizer or a flavorful small plate for guests.
Notes
- Use stone-ground grits for best texture and flavor.
- Adjust smoked paprika quantity for desired smokiness.
- Make sure shrimp are peeled and deveined for best eating experience.
- You can prepare the grits and shrimp mixture ahead of time and assemble before baking.
- These can be served as an appetizer or a light main dish.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the paprika.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated.
