Cajun Shrimp and Grits

This recipe is a "stick to your ribs" kind of recipe: NOT for those who are watching what they eat. Every now and then we splurge with a feel good meal and this is one of my husband's favorites. I start with my basic cheese grits and add thick-sliced bacon, shrimp, cajun gravy and green onions to take it up a notch.

serves 4

Ingredients:
1 cup quick grits
3 cups water
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
dash of salt
6-8 slices of thick-sliced bacon
30-40 large shrimp peeled and deveined
2 green onions diced for garnish

Gravy
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup sifted flour
2 cups half & half
1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1/8 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

Directions:
1-fry bacon in pan and set aside on paper towels to drain, reserving grease
2-boil water for grits
3-drain excess grease from the bacon pan and sauté shrimp with a dash of Cajun seasoning
4-Add dash of salt to boiling water then slowly add grits as you stir. Reduce heat and cover for about 3 minutes, then add garlic powder and cheese, combining well.
5-Remove grits from heat and add shrimp.
6-slice or crumble the bacon into the grits

Gravy:
1-melt butter in the pan used for cooking the bacon and shrimp on medium high heat
2-sift flour into melted butter, stirring constantly to create a rue
3-slowly add cream and reduce heat to medium
4-add Cajun seasoning and black pepper
5-stir until gravy reaches desired thickness
6-spoon over each serving of shrimp and grits and top with chopped green onion