Shrimp with Grit Cakes | The Sportsman’s Table

Local Carolina Shrimp Over Scallion Polenta Cake Topped With Blackberry Bacon Jam

Shaun Baxter – Chef/Owner of Heirloom Bistro in Myrtle Beach, SC

Yields 4 portions

Ingredients

  • 12 LARGE SHRIMP
  • BACON BLACKBERRY JAM
  • 1 pound bacon
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 onion
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider
  • vinegar
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 pints of blackberry
  • ¼ cup water
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • SCALLION POLENTA CAKE
  • 4 cups of water
  • 2 cup polenta
  • 1 bundle of scallions

Procedure:

BACON JAM

  1. Dice bacon and sauté until crispy golden brown
  2. Remove bacon grease and add diced onion and sauté until tender
  3. Add honey, brown sugar, and blackberries. Cook until thick and gooey
  4. Add water and cook until dry
  5. Take ¾ of jam and purée until smooth then move to mixing bowl and add in the remaining ¼ of jam and fold together

POLENTA CAKE

  1. Prepare grits the night before
  2. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add in 2 cups of polenta and stir constantly
  3. Cook for 20 minutes until polenta is firm
  4. add in scallions stir, then spread out on sheet tray and cool overnight
  5. Cut into desired shaped dust with flour and fry in a scorching hot pan with oil

CAROLINA SHRIMP

  1. Peel and devein shrimp
  2. Throw in pan with hot oil and cook until plump and firm.