Haitian shrimp and creamy cheese grits is a recipe that I came up with because I love grits. Grits is an American dish that people typically eat during breakfast and brunch. However, it is so rich, creamy, and flavorful that you can literally have it any time of the day. Grits pair nicely with eggs, shrimp, fried fish, and bacon, or you can have it alone.
In this recipe, I am pairing Haitian stew shrimp with grits. This Haitian inspired stew shrimp is sauteed in fresh ingredients and tomato paste. If you like creamy grits with cheese. This recipe is for you.
This tomato paste stew is full of so much flavor. The peppers give it a nice kick. This stew shrimp pairs nicely with grits, over rice, pasta, and more. This is one of my favorite seafood dishes to cook.
You can enjoy this dish at any time of the day. I typically eat this for breakfast or for brunch, but who says you can’t have this at dinner?
Haitian Stew Shrimp
Ingredients
- 11 - 12 pcs Shrimp, medium with tail-on
- ½ Lime
- 3 Garlic Cloves, diced or mashed
- ¼ Cup Onion, chopped
- ½ Scotch Bonnet Hot Pepper (Keep Seeds & Membrane)
- ½ Red Bell Pepper, sliced
- ½ tsp Adobo Powder
- ⅛ tsp Larry season
- ⅛ tsp Garlic Powder
- ⅛ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Coconut Brown Sugar
- ⅛ tsp Cayenne Pepper
- ⅛ tsp Black Pepper
- ⅛ tsp Paprika
- 1 pinch Dry Thyme
- ½ tsp Jamaican Choice Calypso Hot Sauce (optional, but it adds a nice flavor)
- 1 tsp Tomato Paste
- 3 tbsp Water
- 3 tbsp Grapeseed Oil or Vegetable
Instructions
- Step 1: Clean your shrimp with cold water and ½ a lime. This helps with the fishy smell and it makes your shrimp absorb a nice flavor.
- Step 2: Add the 3 diced/mashed garlic cloves along with your dry ingredients; adobo, larry season, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, and Jamaican Choice Calypso Hot Sauce to the shrimp. Mix well and let it marinate for 15 - 20 minutes.
- Step 3: In a nonstick skillet over medium heat add your oil and onions. I stry the onions for about 2 minutes. Then, I add a dash of coconut brown sugar and let it lightly fry for another 2 - 3 minutes on low heat. Make sure you don't burn the onions.
- Step 4: Now add your shrimp, let it cook on both sides for 2 minutes on medium heat. Make sure it turns into a nice color and it hardens. Feel free to cook it for a minute or two if it does not appear fully cooked.
- Step 6: Add your sweet red peppers and your scotch bonnet pepper. Let it cook for 2 - 3 minutes. Then remove the scotch bonnet pepper from the pot. However, if you like spicy food you can keep it in there, but I usually remove it, because I am looking for a flavor from the pepper, and not necessarily heat.
- Step 5: Add your tomato paste mixed with water into the pot, and stir it well. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes on medium low heat.
- Step 7: Add your thyme and a little more water if you are looking for a saucy consistency. In the photo above, I added 1 tablespoon of more water and let it cook on low heat for 5 - 6 minutes. Stir well!
This shrimp recipe is on the spicier side, but I promise you the tomato sauce compliments it so well.
Creamy Cheesy Caribbean Grits
Ingredients
- ¾ Cup Old Fashioned Grits
- 3 Cups Water
- ½ Cup Evoparted Milk
- ½ Cube Knorrs Chicken Cubes
- 2 tbsp Butter, unsalted
- ⅛ tsp Salt
- ⅛ tsp Black Pepper
- ⅛ tsp Allspice, optional
- ¾ Cup Cheese, shredded or cut in small cubes (Colby & Monterey Jack)
- ⅛ Cup Oaxaca Cheese (Great in grits)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a pot add 3 cups of water and your condensed milk over medium heat. Mix it well for about 2 - 3 minutes.
- Step 2: Slowly add in your grits and stir it well. I typically stir for 4 - 5 minutes to prevent lumps.
- Step 3: Add half of your Knorr cube and stir it in well.
- Step 4: Add the 2 Tbsp of butter and mix in well.
- Step 5: Add in your cheese and mix well. I typically mix it well, then put a cover over it for 3 - 4 minutes.
- Step 6: Add in your salt, pepper and allspice. Feel free to add more water if you feel that it needs more.
- Step 7: Place a cover on it and let it cook for 5 - 6 minutes. Your grits should look like this.
Haitian Shrimp and Creamy Cheese Grits
Totally optional, but garnish your shrimp and grits with chopped scallions and parsley. It adds a nice flavor to your dish and it’s a must with my grits.
Also, if you do not like cheese in your grits, omit it and enjoy these grits without it. However, if you do like cheese you can use the ones I listed, or you can use whatever cheese of your choice.
In addition, if you don’t want to use condensed milk, you can use any milk of your choice. Half & Half is a great alternative. However, if you want creamy grits, condensed milk is a perfect choice.
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