Shrimp Grits, Pickled Jalapeño, Fried Egg

A creative twist on traditional shrimp and grits where ground shrimp becomes the "grits," served with homemade pickled jalapeños and topped with a fried egg. This unique dish combines the sweetness of shrimp with spicy jalapeños and rich, buttery flavors.

4 servings
12 hr 28 min

Ingredients

  • 1 whole jalapeño, thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup water
  • ½ cup distilled white vinegar
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • pounds shrimp
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • teaspoon cayenne
  • 1⅔ cups vegetable stock
  • 1 cup corn powder
  • 1 whole scallion
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 whole quail eggs
  • 1 piece meat grinder

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Place the jalapeño slices in a small heatproof bowl.

    2 min

  2. 2.

    In a small saucepan, bring the water, vinegar, sugar, and salt to a boil. Pour over the jalapeño, cover, and let cool. Once the mixture is cool, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

    720 min

  3. 3.

    Grind the shrimp using a meat grinder fitted with a fine (3/16-inch) die.

    10 min

  4. 4.

    Clean and dry the meat grinder and parts (you will need it again later).

    5 min

  5. 5.

    In a large, deep sauté pan over moderate heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter until foamy. Add the ground shrimp, along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the cayenne, and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon (the shrimp will clump, but that is OK), until firm and crumbly, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and use the meat grinder fitted with a fine (3/16-inch) die to grind the shrimp 2 more times.

    8 min

  6. 6.

    Return the shrimp "grits" to the large, deep sauté pan, and add the vegetable stock, corn powder, and remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Place over moderate heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and hot, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, along with the scallion and pepper. Divide the shrimp "grits" evenly among 4 shallow bowls, garnish with pickled jalapeño slices, and, if desired, top each with 1 fried egg.

    3 min