polenta

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and Grits

There are a ton of nights where you simply don't want to leave the house for groceries. It's nice to have some staples on hand for lazy evenings. Frozen shrimp are so versatile and easy to cook with! Shrimp and grits sounds intimidating but is incredibly easy to throw together. You'll be surprised by how little effort it takes to gain so much flavor. You can, of course, use fresh shrimp. The only difference between the two is giving the frozen ones a little rinse in cold water to defrost them. When you're shopping for shrimp (I prefer tail-on, there's so much flavor in the shells!) it is sold by size and the sizes are expressed in counts per pound. For example, jumbo shrimp is expressed as 21/25, meaning that there would be an average of 23 shrimp per pound. Grits is a type of maize, or corn porridge. These two are a traditional pairing that is often eaten during breakfast :) We're adding a little cream and cheese to the grits to make them extra tasty. The creamy grits are a perfect canvas for the saucy shrimp, kielbasa, tomatoes, onions, and peppers! Let's get cookin :) 

Tomato Braised Chicken and Mushrooms over Polenta

Tomato Braised Chicken and Mushrooms over Polenta

My mind pictured a tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken thigh, seared and then cooked gently in a delicious tomato basil sauce. Crimini mushrooms hold up nicely in liquid, and the addition of fresh spinach is perfect to round out this dish. I’ve been a little apprehensive about posting this recipe because I cheat and use one of my favorite bottled sauces from TJ’s, their Tomato Basil sauce. I know that some people are super anti pre-made sauce, but honestly, it’s budget-friendly ($1.99/bottle), delicious, and makes this meal easy to throw together on a weeknight when time is so important. You can of course, substitute your own favorite homemade tomato sauce, but I am stickin to my guns - I love the TJ’s Tomato Basil. 

Cheesy Polenta with Lemon Thyme Mushrooms

Cheesy Polenta with Lemon Thyme Mushrooms

Polenta is a delicious gluten-free addition to any menu. It’s so versatile! You can bake it, grill it, fry it, or serve it creamy. Recently I ordered a wonderfully gooey Jalapeño Cheesy Creamy Polenta at a restaurant and it inspired me to start exploring different ways to serve this yummy dish. The great thing about polenta is that it takes on the flavors you infuse it with quite easily. It’s simple to make and can be tweaked to your families’ tastes!