 
            Courtesy of Florida Agriculture Bureau of Seafood & Aquaculture
         
                    
            
                
                Servings: 4
                
Prep Time: 15 Min.
                
Cook Time: 30 Min.
                
                
            
            
            * grits for 4 servings
* 3 slices bacon, chopped
* 2 Tbsp. olive oil
* 1 small onion, finely minced
* 1 large clove garlic, minced
* 1/3 c. celery, chopped fine
* 1/3 c. green pepper; chopped fine
* 1 sprig fresh thyme
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 c. mushrooms, sliced
* 1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
* 1 c. half and half
* 1/2 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
* dash hot pepper sauce
* 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
* parsley, chopped
            
            1. Prepare grits according to package directions; set aside and keep warm.  Fry bacon until crisp then remove from pan and set aside.
2. Pour off all but 1 Tbsp. of fat in the pan and add olive oil to bacon fat; heat over medium-high heat.  Add onion, garlic, celery, green pepper, thyme, bay leaf and mushrooms; sauté until soft.  Add shrimp and cook until pink and cooked  through.
3. Stir in half & half, bacon, cayenne  pepper, hot sauce and lemon juice; simmer until heated  through.  In individual bowls or plates, spoon shrimp over grits; sprinkle with parsley and serve.
* Recipe Courtesy of Florida Department of Agriculture Bureau of Seafood