Shrimp 'n' Grits Tasting Spoons

Here's a classic Southern dish reinvented as a gourmet snack! Eating an entire bowl of shrimp 'n' grits can leave your feeling overly full, bloated and like a glutton. These tasting spoons are the perfect size to get your comfort food fix on without all the guilt. The bacon sprinkles add a nice meaty flavor and you can add as little or as much heat as you'd like to suit your own taste. 

Enjoy!

Peel the shrimp leaving the tails in tact. Next, wash the green onions and chop the tops off into small pieces. Grate the white cheddar cheese. 

Add a pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of oil to the shrimp and gently stir them to coat. You can also add a dash of red pepper flakes for extra heat. 

Place four pieces of bacon in a non-stick pan and fry until the bacon is crisp. Place the bacon on a paper towel and use another paper towel to blot the excess grease of the bacon. 

Next, chop the bacon into little pieces. Set aside. 

Place the water, butter into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Next, slowly add the grits. Cover the pan and stir the grits frequently for 15-20 minutes. If you don't stir the grits, they will stick to the pan. 

Next, add the milk and continue to stir for an additional 10 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. 

Place the shrimp in a non-stick pan and cook each one for 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn pinkish in color. 

When all the liquid is absorbed, add the cheese to the grits and stir to combine. 

To assemble the tasting spoons, add a dollop of grits to each spoon. Next, add a shrimp. For the finishing touches, add some bacon sprinkles and green onion. 

Serve immediately on a platter with some hot sauce.