Recipe from the Chief - Fire Edition

Published on August 28, 2025

Recipe from the Chief

Fire Chief Geo Blackshire shares one of his favorite recipes with the community, Shrimp & Grits. An old Southern staple with Native American and African roots, this dish is a delicious and comforting meal. Try it out, let us know what you think!

Shrimp & Grits

Ingredients (I suggest adjusting the ingredients to taste)

Yield: 4 servings

For the Shrimp

  • 1 pound medium to large raw shrimp, shelled (reserve shells for stock)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • ¾ cup chopped onion
  • ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup diced ripe tomatoes with a little of their juice (chopped canned tomatoes are preferable to less-than-perfect fresh tomatoes)
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 dashes Tabasco
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

For the Grits

  • ¾ cup grits
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated
  • 3 tablespoons butter

Step 1

  • Make shrimp stock: Combine the shrimp shells and 2 cups water and boil until the liquid is reduced by half. Strain.

Step 2

  • For the grits, bring 3½ cups water to a boil and stir in the grits. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the grits are tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat, add the salt, cheese and butter and stir until melted. Keep warm.
  • If you would rather use instant grits, that works too. “No self-respecting Southerner uses instant grits.” -  Mr. Tipton from My Cousin Vinny.

Step 3

  • For the shrimp, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion, pepper and garlic until softened, about 3 minutes.

Step 4

  • Add the tomatoes and juice and thyme; bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes. Sprinkle with flour and stir well.

Step 5

  • Add the shrimp and stir constantly until they begin to turn pink, about 2 minutes.

Step 6

  • Add ½ cup of the stock and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Add the tomato paste and stir until blended. Add the cream, Worcestershire and Tabasco and more stock if needed to make a spoonable sauce that generously coats the shrimp. Heat thoroughly, being careful not to let it come to a boil. Taste for salt.

Step 7

  • Place a portion of grits in the center of each plate and spoon shrimp over or around it. Sprinkle with parsley and enjoy!
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