Quick recipe for easy shrimp and grits. It is the best and one of my favourite comfort food. It also makes an amazing family dinner idea.

When I want to make a quick meal for my family this recipe always comes to the rescue.

Well, there is always pasta, but I am trying really hard not to make pasta every other night.

I am being creative, like making breakfast for dinner. It is nothing original but it works for us.

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Since we are talking about quick and easy meals, shrimp goes well with rice, pasta or potatoes.

On the other hand, chicken, pork or beef goes very well with grits. There is always a solution when it comes to creating an amazingly delicious quick and easy dinner.

To be honest, this makes an incredible brunch food or lunch.

All you need to cut the meat into smaller pieces to cook fast. It tastes absolutely amazing with lemon and butter.

From time to time my family gets picky around food; no runny yolks, problems with chunky pasta sauce as well as floating onions in the stew or soup, etc.

There is so much more than they do not like, but I just wanted to name a few to tell you that we just like any other family. I cook all the time and experiment so my kids would eat what I make.

I am sure that you have at least one picky eater in your house, so if there are no allergies this meal is a winner. They will lick a bowl and ask for more.

Recipes you might like:

SPAGHETTI AGLIO E OLIO WITH SHRIMP

SALMON BIBIMBAP — KOREAN RICE BOWL

INDIVIDUAL CHICKEN POT PIES

CHICKEN FAJITA SKEWERS

EASY FISHERMAN PIE

So traditionally grits are gluten-free, however, make sure to check because some brands like Quaker does not consider them to be gluten-free due to the possibility of cross-contamination. I am just sharing what everyone is saying.

There are other brands that are gluten-free and instant. I just wanted to put that out there if you did not know.

If you get inspired and make my recipe for Easy Shrimp and Grits, please tag me on Instagram. @sandraseasycooking using hashtag #sandraseasycooking. Thank you so much!

Yield: Serves 4

Easy Shrimp and Grits

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Quick and Easy Shrimp and Grits recipe; a perfect family dinner.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

Grits

• 1 cup instant grits
• 2 cups half and half
• 2 cup chicken stock
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste (always taste food)
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Shrimp

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• ½ onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 to 1 ½ shrimp lbs., peeled and deveined
• 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Old Bay Seasoning to taste
• Freshly chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley

Instructions

How to make grits:

1. Cook grits according to package instructions using half and half or heavy whipped
   cream (or milk) and chicken stock in place of water.
2. Generously season your grits with ½ teaspoon of salt and about ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper,
   or to please your taste. Always add less and taste it. You can always add more. Stir and cook grits at the low temperature until liquid is absorbed and becomes creamy and smooth.
3. Stir in 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and set aside and keep warm. It takes usually around 5-7 minutes to finish instant grits at a lower temperature or about 20 to 25 minutes if you going to make stone-ground grits. Read instructions on the back of the package as it could be very helpful.

How to prep shrimp:

1. Peel and devein shrimp if they are not already. Wash well under cold water.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring often, for a couple of minutes.
3. Stir in garlic, and shrimp and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Cook at medium temperature, stirring occasionally, until pink and cooked through about 3 minutes to up to 5 minutes. Do not overcook. As soon as it is pink all throughout it is cooked.
5. Stir in chopped parsley and lemon juice. Serve immediately with grits, garnished with chopped parsley.
   
   

Notes

The ratio you need to remember for stone-ground grits is 4:1. It's 4 cups of liquid to 1 cup of stone-ground grits. You can use just water, or a combination of stock, water, and milk/cream.

If you do not have old bay seasoning you may use just celery salt, ground black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and paprika.

You could use cubed chicken breast instead of shrimp to make this dish. Cooking time might take a few minutes longer but it tastes amazing. That is just in case of allergies or if you dislike shrimp. Also, some of you were asking if you could use pork. Yes, pork tenderloin is perfectly fine, just slice it into smaller pieces.

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Jellied Cranberry Sauce is not something that I was eating my whole life. My kids did have this sauce every Thanksgiving, for instance. My husband and I learned to enjoy it.

It is one of those dishes that both of us have not grown up with. It was rather strange to me that it was eaten with Thanksgiving Supper.

I must admit, we have never mixed sweet and savory together on one plate. At least not me. Although, cranberries are known well to go phenomenally with meat.

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I am still not able to combine it with my turkey or anything savory. Well, I just take a few tablespoons after a meal like a dessert or a palate cleanser.

It merely does not sit comfortably with my palate to mix it with other foods.

However, when it comes to side dishes, most people will agree that cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving dinner is a must.

With that being said, I really enjoy the taste, pleasant aroma, tartiness, sweetness and texture of cranberry sauce. Therefore, I have decided this year to develop jellied cranberry sauce.

Many people enjoy canned one, and I must say that it is really hard to replicate that stuff. I have tried it before, of course, many times when we were invited for Thanksgiving. However, we have never served it on our Thanksgiving table.

Get more side dish recipes here

My oldest son, Aleks, took upon himself to make his own. For the last 6 years, we have been traditionally hosting Thanksgiving dinners, and Aleks would make his famous cranberry sauce. It is very delicious, and everyone always enjoyed it.

My jellied version is incredible. I was wrangling with the idea if I should share this recipe because it is super easy. However, my blog got an EASY word in the title, so why not share it?

I understand that not everyone knows what they are doing in the kitchen. So I want to show future cooks and beginners how easy it is to pick up a pot or skillet and make food yourself.

Most of the time you got to use your instincts and taste buds, rather than sticking to the recipe, you know. Sample or taste the food, feel it, touch it, and see if you like it or not.

Even in my own house, I argue with my kids if something is seasoned enough. To me, it is perfect, but they always add extra salt. We all acquire unique tastes.

Do you need an easy breakfast or a brunch recipe? Tap here to check them out.

Nevertheless, I hope you like this recipe. It does not take a rocket scientist to make it. Just follow simple guidelines and it will taste amazing.

Besides, you can make it in the glass container and serve it. I just thought it looked delightful when I made it in the large muffin tin. It seemed approachable since most people do have muffin or cupcake tins.

What was I thinking?! Well, In my defense it looked cute and it was not all that hard to take it out. Just dip the bottom in the hot water, take a butter knife and go around, then flip on the platter.

Garnish with extra oranges, fresh cranberries, and pomegranate. Perhaps, a few rosemary sprigs or any other similar herbs.

I made my own sugar cranberries. You just have to boil cranberries in one cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar for 2-3 minutes. Take them out with the slotted spoon.

Allow them to cool down for 5 to 10 minutes, then dip into sugar. That’s it! A simple yet looks so decorative with cranberry sauce.

If you make my yummy Jellied Cranberry Sauce, this Thanksgiving or the next, please tag me on Instagram. @sandraseasycooking using hashtag #sandraseasycooking. I would love to see your creations and share them with everyone.

Yield: Makes 3 1/2 cups

Jellied Cranberry Sauce

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Must have a Thanksgiving side dish!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Chill Time 10 hours

Total Time 10 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 12-ounce fresh or frozen cranberries, slightly thawed if frozen
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups of sugar
• 3 cups cold water
• 2- 1/4-ounce envelopes of unflavored gelatin (you may use other flavors if you wish)
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• zest of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon allspice seasoning (it is a mixture of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg)

Instructions

1. Bring cranberries, sugar, and water to a boil in a heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until all berries have burst, 6-10 minutes depending on your stove.
2. Start pouring into a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl and let stand until all juices have drained through about 10 minutes or so. If necessary, press on solids until there is enough juice to measure 3 cups, then discard solids or use them for muffins or similar. If you like it chunky then I would just mash it very well.
3. Take one cup of drained cranberry juice out then stir together gelatin and let stand about 60 seconds to soften and dissolve. After it dissolves combine it with the rest of the cranberry juice mixture. Mix it well.
4. Pour cranberry sauce into a lightly oiled mold/s and chill, covered with plastic wrap, until firmly set, at least 10 hours. You may use mason jars, glass containers with the lid or a decorative mold/s.
5. To unmold, run the tip of a thin, preferably butter knife between the edge of mold and cranberry sauce. Tilt mold sideways and tap the side of the mold against a work surface, turning it, to evenly break the seal and loosen cranberry sauce. You may dip the mold of the container in the hot water to loosen it up on the bottom.
6. Now, keep mold tilted, invert a platter over mold, then invert cranberry sauce onto a platter. If you are using mason jars, you could get smaller jars and serve each jar per guest as a serving size.
   

Notes

Cranberry sauce can be refrigerated in the mold for up to 2 days.

If you are low carb, and on a sugar-free diet, please use sugar alternative sweeteners.

If you do not have allspice seasoning, just mix together an equal part of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.

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Salmon and Vegetables Sheet Pan Dinner is the best. Not only that you can mix and match vegetables, but it is all year round kind of meal. Don’t you agree?

One of our favorite fish is salmon. We just love salmon made any way possible; smoked, grilled, poached, baked. It is amazing in baked dishes or sandwiches.

What is your favorite fish?

On the other hand, sheet pan dinner is just phenomenal. You can add chicken, sausage, beef, pork or any other fish. Also, it is fantastic to clean your fridge day when you do not have so much food, but it has to be used.

CHECK OUT MORE FISH RECIPES

I have made this dish many times and the best way to not overcook fish was to actually wrap it in foil. If you hate relationship with Alum foil then just use parchment paper.

I cooked it at the same temperature and pulled salmon 10 minutes earlier so it ended up cooking in the foil before serving. It was absolutely divine!

Yes, you can absolutely bake fish on top of your veggies but I found this way tastier.

The whole point of my blog is to inspire you to get back to cooking your own meals, so you can use whatever protein or vegetables you wish to use or whatever is in season.

However, ever since Sitka Salmon Shares announced on their website that we are going to have Salmon in the next shipment I could not wait. I love all their fish.

If you ever tasted then you must agree with me, but since salmon is family favorite we were eagerly anticipating our subscription box to come.

Now, let us talk about fish. I got my fish from Sitka Salmon Shares, but allow me to tell you a bit more about them. I believe in this company, and I love what they are doing.

Fish is without a doubt the best one that I had in a long time. You will not be disappointed, plus the fish comes to your fantastic doorstep but read more about Sitka Salmon Shares below.

SITKA SALMON SHARES IS:

Wild: Wild-caught from the pristine waters of Southeast Alaska.

Community-based: Sourced from traditional fishing communities. Supported by a Midwest community of conscious consumers.

Premium: Harvested and hand-processed individually. lash-frozen at the peak of freshness to ensure the highest quality, guaranteed.

Sustainable: Harvested using hook-and-line methods to minimize negative ecological impact.

Traceable: The only fully-integrated Midwest CSF. 100% traceability from boat to doorstep.

Just: Owned by a collective of carefully selected small-scale family fishermen, all of whom retain 20-30% more of the retail value or their harvest.

Convenient: Home delivered directly to your door, with recipes, newsletters, and more

Conscious: Carbon offsets purchased and 1% of revenue donated back to the wild.

I hope you try my Salmon and Vegetables Sheet Pan Dinner. If you make this one or any other recipe from my blog, please tag me on Instagram. @sandraseasycooking using hashtags #sandraseasycooking. Thank you so much!

Yield: 4 Servings

Salmon and Vegetables Sheet Pan Dinner

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Easy, Delicious and a perfect family dinner.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1- 1 1/2 pound Salmon Fillet, defrosted (Wild Alaskan)
• Kosher Salt a good pinch or two, rub on the salmon
• 1-2 teaspoon ground black Pepper
• Lemon slices from 1 lemon
• 1 teasoon dried Oregano
• 5 tablespooms of Garlic-Herb Butter (if available)

Vegetables

• 1 pound New Potatoes, I used red
• 1/2 pound Green Beans
• 1/2 pound Baby Carrots
• 1 pound Broccoli, I used frozen florets 
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
• 4-5 Garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon dried Parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried Oregano

Instructions

1. Preheat over to 375F

SALMON:

1. Defrost salmon, and take it out of the pack. Take a large heavy-duty aluminum foil or parchment paper and then, season salmon with salt, pepper, herbs. Rub on both sides well, then place the sliced lemon on each slice of salmon and a tablespoon of butter. Wrap nicely and prep vegetables.
2. Place Salmon to bake at the same time you will bake vegetables.
3. Make sure to take it out after 25 minutes. That way salmon will not overcook. It will continue cooking in the foil until it is ready to be served. So do not open it until you are ready to eat or until vegetables are ready.

SHEET PAN VEGETABLES:

1. Wash Potatoes and either cut them in half or the quarters.
2. Season each vegetable with salt, pepper, and herbs, then place each vegetable next to each other but do not overcrowd the sheet pan. Make sure it is somewhat in one layer.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 40 minutes in 375F preheated oven.
4. If the potatoes need a bit more time to cook, then remove all the other vegetables and allow potatoes to cook additional 2-3 minutes under the broiler (medium temp).

Notes

You may use any vegetables that you have or are in season; Cauliflower, asparagus, peppers, cherry tomatoes, etc. Possibilities are endless

You may cook vegetables in the air fryer, but potatoes might take a bit more time to crisp up.

If you do not have garlic and herbs butter available, then just add a pinch more salt, add more dried parsley and a teaspoon or two of garlic powder, that's it!

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