Make it at home

Yield 4Total 1 hr 5 min

Ingredients

  • 250g stone-ground white grits
  • 1 litre chicken stock
  • 250ml whole milk
  • 60g unsalted butter
  • 100g sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • Salt and white pepper to taste
  • 500g Gulf shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 3 rashers smoked bacon, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 125ml dry white wine
  • 1 lemon, juice only
  • 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 2 spring onions, sliced

Method

  1. Bring chicken stock and milk to a simmer in a heavy-based saucepan; gradually whisk in grits
  2. Cook grits over low heat for 35-45 minutes, stirring regularly, until thick and tender; add water as needed to prevent sticking
  3. Stir in butter and cheddar off the heat; season with salt and white pepper; keep warm
  4. Cook diced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp; remove bacon and set aside, leaving fat in pan
  5. Increase heat to high; season shrimp with Cajun seasoning and cayenne and cook in bacon fat for 90 seconds per side until pink and just cooked
  6. Remove shrimp; add garlic to same pan and cook 30 seconds, then deglaze with white wine and reduce by half
  7. Return shrimp and bacon to pan; add lemon juice and toss to combine
  8. Serve shrimp mixture over cheesy grits, topped with parsley and spring onions

Where to eat gulf shrimp and grits

Gulf Shrimp and Grits in Jackson

Hen and Egg ★ 4.2

Soul foodSouthern comfort brunch buffet$$$12-22Mon-Fri 08:00-14:00; Sun 10:00-15:00; closed SatWalk-in; arrive before 10:30 for best selection

Hen and Egg's Sunday brunch buffet features Gulf shrimp grits, gumbo, and chef Nick Wallace's rotating Southern dishes from a first-floor service station.

Order: Sunday brunch buffet upstairs with Gulf shrimp grits and rotating Southern favourites

Tip: The Sunday brunch buffet has the most variety; weekday breakfasts are counter-service and faster.

Walker's Drive-In ★ 4.5

New American$$$Tue-Fri 11:00-14:00; Tue-Sat 17:30-21:00; closed Sun-MonBook 3-5 days ahead

Walker's Drive-In is Jackson's top upscale restaurant, with 45-day-aged beef, Nantucket scallops, and Southern-accented New American cooking.

Order: 45-day aged prime filet, or the Redfish Anna with classic accompaniments

Tip: The lunch menu offers value in a room better known for dinner; book a counter seat for the best view.

Saltine ★ 4.4

Seafood$$Mon-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 10:30-21:00Book 3 days ahead

Saltine in Fondren is Jackson's Gulf oyster specialist: $1.75 happy hour oysters daily, low-country boils, fried po'boys, craft cocktails served all day.

Order: Tasting of Gulf oysters on the half shell, followed by the shrimp and crab dip

Tip: Upstairs dining room has the best views; downstairs oyster bar is best for solo dining or couples.

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