Cheesy Shrimp on Grit Toast


This "Fancy" appetizer is my absolute favorite, and it's always a hit! I've made it for countless bridal showers, baby showers, and other gatherings, and it consistently steals the show. Just this past weekend, I had the pleasure of making it for a baby shower I hosted for my boss's daughter, Joanie. I truly love hosting events like this! This particular shower was a collaborative effort between three of us, and everyone did a fantastic job. I've even included a few pictures from the event below. This dish would be a perfect addition to any gathering, especially Thanksgiving!



Ingredients

For the grit crackers
3 cans chicken broth
1 1/3 cups quick-cooking grits
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic power
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
Freshly ground pepper


For the Filling:
1 pkg. cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
2/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
1 tsp. chopped flat-leaf italian parsley
1/2 pound cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp, chopped
2 tbsp. half and half
Salt and pepper to taste


Directions

For the grit crackers:
In a medium sauce pan on high heat, add the chicken broth and 2 tbsp. of butter.  Bring to a boil.  Add the salt and garlic powder.  Whisk in the grits.  Cover and simmer for 5 minutes until the grits thicken.   Add cheese and stir until combined.  Pour the grits onto a greased jellyroll pan or cookie sheet.  Refrigerate the grits until they have solidified.  About 2 hours ( I make the grits the night before).  

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Using a round cookie cutter.  Cut the grits into rounds.  Melt 2 tbsp. of butter.  Brush both sides of the grit rounds with butter and place them on a cookie sheet.   Bake for 15 minutes.  Turn over the grit rounds and bake for an additional 45 minutes.

For the topping:
While the grit rounds are cooking prepare the topping.  In a medium sized bowl, combine the cream cheese, parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese, parsley, shrimp, half and half and salt and pepper.  Top each grit cracker with about a tsp. of the cheesy shrimp mixture.  Sprinkle the tops with the remaining cheddar cheese and Bake for 10 minutes.

Slightly Adapted from:




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