Description
Creamy stone-ground grits blended with melty fontina cheese and topped with smoky sausage, tender shrimp, and sautéed kale. This Southern-inspired comfort food dinner is rich, savory, and perfect for weeknights or entertaining.
Ingredients
For the Fontina Grits
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1 cup stone-ground white grits
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3 cups water
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3 cups whole milk
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1 cup shredded fontina cheese
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2 tablespoons butter
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Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Shrimp, Sausage & Kale
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1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
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8 ounces smoked sausage or Italian sausage, sliced
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2 cups chopped kale
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1 small onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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½ teaspoon smoked paprika
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¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
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Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
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In a large saucepan, bring water and milk to a gentle boil. Slowly whisk in the grits. Reduce heat to low and cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring frequently, until thick and creamy.
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Stir in butter and shredded fontina cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
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In the same skillet, sauté onion until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
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Add shrimp, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
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Stir in kale and cook until wilted. Return sausage to the pan and toss to combine.
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Spoon creamy grits into bowls and top with the shrimp, sausage, and kale mixture. Serve immediately.
Notes
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Use stone-ground grits for the best texture and flavor.
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Do not overcook shrimp — remove as soon as they turn pink.
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Add a splash of chicken broth to the skillet before cooking shrimp for extra depth of flavor.
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For extra richness, stir a splash of heavy cream into the grits before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 MINUTES
- Cook Time: 25 MINUTES
- Category: Dinner
- Method: STOVETOP
- Cuisine: COMFORT FOOD, SOUTHERN