Grits—A Signature Southern Dish
Why are Grits so popular? They're simply good eating. Most folks enjoy them seasoned with salt, pepper and butter as part of a hearty country breakfast. However, in South Carolina, where traditional low-country cooking combines the bounty of the land and the sea, shrimp and grits is a classic. Typically, the dish is comprised of shrimp, diced onions and green peppers cooked in bacon drippings, then flour and broth are stirred in to make a gravy and the whole thing is spooned over steaming hot grits.
Chefs are embracing regional specialties and have looked to Southern cooks for the inspiration for some of their signature dishes. Shrimp and grits is one of those classic combinations that just tastes so good it has become favorite in trendy regional restaurants in the South and in other areas of the country, too.
One variation on this theme is Sautéed Shrimp with Cheese Grits, a favorite of the Martha White test kitchen staff for easy entertaining. The recipe is a simple sauté of colorful red and green bell pepper strips, onion slivers, shrimp and smoky bacon served over creamy cheese grits.