*Celebrating Mardi Gras with all it’s traditions, parties and Cajun food…*

Best of New Orleans

DOING MARDI GRAS

Who doesn’t love a good parade and party centered around the best traditions of Mardi Gras in New Orleans? Am I right?

Have you been to the big easy during this fantastic, crazy time of excess and drink? The one party where near nakedness, beads, feathers and masks are all acceptable forms of accessorizing?

If so, then you know where I am going with this. If not, you’ve missed out on a bucket list item but you should stay tuned here for some good stuff that will put you a little more in party mode. Like what?

In today’s post I am going to share another great tradition; my recipe for low country shrimp and grits. It is one of the most delicious recipes in my arsenal. The result? Instant crowd pleaser and very easy to make.

I am also going to hook you up to some great recipes from two other blogs I have been reading that I think you will enjoy and find a lot of valuable content on. So let’s get started! 😉

Cooking up Cajun Recipes

LOW COUNTRY SHRIMP & GRITS

INGREDIENTS FOR GRITS

4 Cups Milk
1 Teaspoon each Salt & Pepper
1 Teaspoon each Garlic & Onion Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (or to taste)
1 Tablespoon Powdered Cheddar Cheese (or 2 oz. grated sharp white cheddar)
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Cup Grits

DIRECTIONS

Bring milk, salt, pepper and butter to a boil. Stir in grits, garlic and onion powder. Add cheese and pepper flakes and whisk on on a lower heat until thickened like a porridge. If using grated cheese add the last minute or two of cooking until melted. Should take around 20-30 minutes.

HERE’S WHY I MENTION IT…

Let’s talk a minute about grits. Two things you need to know. First, I don’t care what the box or bag says; just say no to water. Milk only please! Now that means you also have to watch the pan. Whisk it, show it some love and don’t leave it because milk has a tendency to scorch easily.

Second, white grits are the more traditional choice for this Southern dish. I prefer it and no matter what they say there is no grit that has ever cooked in 10 minutes OK? It will take more like 20-30 minutes on lower heat to make sure your grits turn out creamy just like a risotto.

Can you use stone ground yellow grits if you have them on hand? Sure; no judgement here if you prefer them. I always make a dish my own when cooking, adjusting to my families taste and preferences.

INGREDIENTS FOR SHRIMP

21 Count of Shrimp
2 Tablespoons Cajun or Old Bay Seasoning
1/4 Cup EV Olive Oil
1/4 Pound Diced Andouille Sausage
2 Teaspoons Smashed Garlic
1/4 Cup Butter
1/4 Teaspoon Each of Cayenne Pepper and Red Pepper Flakes
2-3 Tablespoons Mild Pickled Banana Pepper Rings
1/4 Cup Dry White Wine
Salt & Pepper to taste
Chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme & basil
Thinly sliced green onions

DIRECTIONS

Toss shrimp in Cajun seasoning and set aside. In a saute pan, over medium heat, heat up the oil, add the sausage and render for three minutes. Add garlic, stir for 1 to 2 minutes and half the wine. Add the shrimp and butter and saute for 2-3 minutes.

Stir in cayenne, pepper flakes and banana peppers and add wine as needed and some herbs with Salt & Pepper and simmer another 2-3 minutes. You should have a beautiful sauce with the shrimps ready to spoon over cheese grits in a shallow bowl and finish off with the scallions for presentation.

While I am not a professional chef, I have made this recipe over and over again through the years and it has always turned out awesome. Friends and family ask for it a LOT!

*The secret to any good Cajun recipe is the right amount of heat to spice!*

I WANT IN FOR FREEBIES!

PARTY TIME

When I am planning for a smaller get together with 4-6 people I lean towards dishes like shrimp and grits which have all the flavors and traditional ingredients but are also easy peasy to cook up and serve so you spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.

If I am expecting a crowd, I usually turn to my good friend, Mr. Slow Cooker. Easy to pick a hearty dish that you just need to put a few great sides like cornbread and a salad and you are good to go; party time not kitchen time!

In searching for new recipes for this occasion I came across two great websites that I have been reading and following. I think these two gals have great content rich blogs that are fun to read with recipes you are going to love.

*Karley Campbell’s Cajun Sausage and Bean Soup recipe…how good does that look?*

OTHER BLOGS I WANT TO SHARE WITH YA!

Karley Campbell’s blog made me laugh out loud from the first day; Buns In My Oven, not the baby kind, the yeasty kind. In other words, she likes to bake. That’s just funny-I don’t care who you are!

Reading her blogs make me feel like I am back in Tennessee having a cup of coffee with one of my cousin’s gossiping and just having fun.

She is a seriously good baker and cook from all the beautiful photographs she takes herself BTW (Really?? But hey I’m not bitter!) 🤣 You are really gonna want to check out her recipe for Slow Cooker Cajun Sausage and Bean Soup.

I bought everything and popped it in the slow cooker today and it smells heavenly. I plan to make my mother’s cornbread to go with it! Easy peasy!

*Amanda Biddle’s version of grilled Cajun shrimp and grits…beautiful!*

When searching for new recipes I sometimes go down rabbit holes to look at someone else’s version of a dish I make myself. I like to see if I can “learn me something new” from it and often times I do! Amanda Biddle’s Grilled Cajun Shrimp and Grits struck me just that way.

I loved her content and beautiful website, Striped Spatula, from Day 1 (pssst…girl you had me at gourmet and a splash of bourbon)! She may not be from the South but going to college in Virginia has certainly given her a passion for the food.

Her spicy garlic scallion butter sounds fantastic and I plan to try it the next time I do fish. Hey Karley and Amanda, thanks for the inspiration and sharing your recipes! I know my readers will enjoy your content as much as I do!

*The three reasons to celebrate? New Orleans traditions, Cajun food and party time of course!*

CHECK OUT

So what are your plans for Mardi Gras 2019? A trip somewhere? Maybe just chillin’ with a couple of friends or an all out party with the beads, feathers, music and fun?

Whatever choice you make, I hope you found a little inspiration, some new recipes to try and some new blogs to follow as well.

There are some other blogs of mine in the Edible Fare category that you might also enjoy and hey, don’t be a stranger! Let me know how the recipes go and give a shout out to Amanda and Karley on their blogs and tell ‘em Artsy sent ya! Until next time…

Cheers,

ArtsyChowRoamer

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3 Reasons to Celebrate Mardi Gras 2019!