Going Green Part III..

Tonight I made one of my favorites!!..

Classic Shrimp + “Grits”

Step by step directions–broken up into INGREDIENTS + DIRECTIONS sections with pictures

Recommended prep-

-chop 1/4 cup onion (white or yellow–I prefer yellow)

-chop 2 cloves of fresh garlic

-peel + devein + “kitchen scissor into bite size pieces”the shrimp (or simply buy peeled + deveined shrimp + just cut them up!!)

———————————————————–

Step 1

INGREDIENTS

-1 T EVOO

-1 T Smart Balance

-3+ T flour (I would have used WW,but didn’t have any)

———–

DIRECTIONS

-Heat pan to medium + add above listed ingredients

-Mix fat + flour

-Push around the pan + crumble with a spatula until browned

————————————————————

Step 2

INGREDIENTS

-1 C Milk (you can use soy milk too )

———–

DIRECTIONS

-Stir in milk slowly–I start by adding 1/2 C + go up from there

-The goal is to get rid of all of the clumps + make a nice creamy gravy (I use my spatula with slits in it to mash the clumps out)

-Stir frequently!!

-Add more milk if needed..

————————————————————

Step 3

**IN ANOTHER PAN

INGREDIENTS

-tiny dabble of EVOO

-1/4 C onion (maybe a little less)

-2 cloves chopped fresh garlic

-salt–just a pinch–to help the onions sweat,rather than brown

———–

DIRECTIONS

-over medium heat wilt the onions + garlic

-cook for 4-5 minutes

-Once wilted add to gravy + stir

-don’t wash the onion pan!!.. put it back on the eye + move to step 4…

————————————————————–

Step 4

**IN THE OLD ONION PAN over MEDIUM LOW

INGREDIENTS

-3/4 lb peeled + deveined + “kitchen scissored into bite size pieces”  shrimp

-1 to 2 T fresh squeezed lemon juice–or if you don’t have fresh lemon use Minute Maid Lemon Juice!! It is in the freezer section at your local grocer + absolutely amazing!!

———–

DIRECTIONS

-stir + cook for 2 minutes (the shrimp will not be cooked all of the way through)

—————————————————————

Step 5

Back to the GRAVY PAN..

INGREDIENTS

-a Little Pepper–Red + White + Black!!

-salt to taste

———–

DIRECTIONS

-Spice the gravy to perfection while shrimp are soaking up the lemon juice..

-Once gravy is spiced stir in shrimp..

-Turn eye to LOW + allow to simmer while you move on to steps 6.. shrimp will cook through over time..

After the shrimp cooked through I tasted it + decided it needed an extra squeeze of lemon..

—————————————————————-

Step 6

** This step can be done while you are making the gravy if you prefer a multitasking approach in the kitchen..

**You can use grits,cream of wheat,wheat bran or anything else you come up with.. I usually use cream of wheat or oat bran to boost the nutritional value of the end product + it tastes great!!

Look at all of that fiber!!

INGREDIENTS

**serves 2

-2/3 C Oat Bran

-2 C water

-2 T ground flax seed

-1/4 t salt

-sprinkle of blackening seasoning

-1 t Smart Balance (just for a little mouth feel)

———–

DIRECTIONS

-Prepare Oat Bran according to the directions on the box

-Add in Flax + Blackening seasoning

-Just before serving stir in Smart Balance

—————————————————————-

Step 7

DIRECTIONS

-Dish out “grits”

-Top with Shrimp Gravy

—————————————————————-

This is one of my most FAVORITE meals to make EVER!!  It takes a little longer + a lot more clean up than my other meals,but it is OooH sooOO worth it!  It freezes nicely too!!  Just place “grits”into tupperware,top with gravy + freeze for up to 2 months.. To reheat–just microwave!

—————————————————————-

St. Patrick’s Day Shrimp + “Grits”

To go along with the theme of the day,GREEN,I’ve added lightly sauteed green bell pepper to the mix

Bonus Step!!

INGREDIENTS

-A few slices of Bell Pepper

———–

DIRECTIONS

-Sautee over Medium heat (I used the onion + shrimp pan to avoid making anymore dirty dishes!!)

-Garnish!!

Don’t forget your silver

WooOooW.. This was ammmmMaAZinG!! Now it’s time for a nice hot bubble bath + a fun book!!

—————————————————————–

Yoga Mat Update!!.. I love love love it!!  It is a beautiful shade of green + the perfect thickness.. Right now it is a little slippery,but that can easily be fixed with a little sweat!..  I can’t wait to break this mat in..