The folks over at Frito-Lay invited me to participate in their Taste Of Home contest and share a recipe that reminds me of the region I call home. Since I am a southern gal through and through, I knew I would have a ton of ideas. It was hard to narrow it down but I think I came up with a recipe that you guys will love!

When I think of the south there are a few foods that immediately come to my mind. One that I thought of immediately was grits. I have been eating them since I was a little girl. They are my idea of a true comfort food and remind me of getting ready for school on a chilly winter morning! I still love to eat them but now I don’t care if it is hot or cold–they are perfect any time if you ask me!!

You may not know it but, grits are very versatile and can be so much more than just a breakfast dish. One of my favorite foods of all time is spicy shrimp and grits so I thought why not create a unique recipe with my favorite southern dish in mind but make it bite sized! So I played around and came up with – Spicy Shrimp & Grits Bites.

Of course when you are coming up with new recipes you have to have some taste testers. Since I was having a party for my little one this past weekend I had a house full of family and friends who were more than willing to be the guinea pigs. Guess what…my recipe was a hit. It was so much of a hit that by the time I remembered to take a picture of the recipe for my post…the Spicy Shrimp & Grits Bites were all gone!!

You guys will have to give this one a go and let me know how long they last at your house!

Spicy Shrimp & Grits Bites
Recipe Type: Appetizer
Author: Michelle
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Total time: 40 mins
Serves: 10 – 12
Bite sized southern goodness!!
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup quick cooking grits
  • 2 1/2 cups of chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup cream or whole milk
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon creole seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pound shrimp
  • 1 spicy creole shrimp boil packet
  • 1 8 oz pkg of cream cheese softened
  • 2 – 3 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapenos (or 1 fresh jalapeno minced)
  • 2 cups of crushed Lay’s Tortilla chips
  • Canola Oil for frying
  • Remoulade sauce for dipping
Instructions
  1. Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in grits, and return to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Add cream, creole seasoning, pepper and cheddar cheese. Stir until incorporated. Allow to cool.
  2. While your grits are cooling, boil the shrimp with the creole spice packet for 3-5 minutes. Remove shrimp and chop into bite sized pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp, cream cheese and jalapenos.
  4. With a melon baller, scoop a ball of cooled grits. Use your finger to create a cavity in the middle of the ball of grits. Fill with the shrimp mixture and squeeze the ball so that the grits cover the filling. Place each ball on wax paper. Repeat until your filling is gone.
  5. Once you have all of the balls ready, roll the ball in the crushed Lay’s Tortilla Chips–the sticky grits will hold the chips beautifully. Immediately fry in canola oil until the bites are golden brown.
  6. Remove to paper lined plate to cool.
  7. Serve with your favorite remoulade sauce

I know many of you may have not been born in the south so Frito-Lay has a variety of flavors that are inspired by the various regions and there is sure to be one that will remind you of home. The Cajun Herb and Spice and the Tangy Carolina Barbecue would definitely be the top picks for this southern gal!!

To celebrate the many tastes of home, the folks at Frito-Lay are also giving an I Heart Publix reader a prize package that includes a a variety pack of the Lay’s Regional Flavors potato chips!

Entry is simple! You just need to answer the question below by leaving a comment on this site! You can even gain up to 2 bonus entries for doing each additional item listed (just make sure that you leave one entry for each one — up to a total of 3 comments.) As a reminder, comments left on Facebook, Twitter or other posts will not be included. I will choose one winner on Tuesday 8/23 around 11pm.

REQUIRED ENTRY:

1. What is your favorite regionally inspired flavor chip from Frito-Lay?

BONUS ENTRIES:

2. Follow I Heart Publix on a reader or via e-mail updates.

3. Follow I Heart Publix on Facebook or Twitter

Disclosure: By sharing this recipe, I have been entered into a giveaway for a chance to win prizes and have my recipe published by Frito-Lay.