If you’ve spent time in Texas or visited, you know the weather can change on a dime. One day it’s a sunny 95 degrees, and the next it can drop below freezing with snow. Different parts of the state often experience their own weather patterns. This weekend the sun slipped behind clouds and we had heavy rain with temperatures near 50 degrees, but that didn’t stop us from hosting family and enjoying time outdoors.
We cooked outside while the kids splashed in puddles. I received outdoor furniture for Mother’s Day, so any chance to be outside is welcome these days.
When you entertain, you want easy, tasty recipes that impress. I had two packages of Athens mini fillo shells and needed a filling idea. A quick run to the store and a simple plan produced Shrimp and Grits Bites — warm grits mixed with cheese and jalapeño, topped with marinated, pan-seared shrimp and served in crisp fillo shells. It’s a small Southern-inspired appetizer with a little heat and lots of flavor.
The best part: the whole thing takes about 10 minutes from start to finish and cleanup is minimal.
ENJOY ~ Meagan
Shrimp and Grits Bites
30 bites
4 minutes
6 minutes
10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1/8 teaspoon chili powder
- pinch of salt
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 cup cooked warm grits
- 1 tablespoon chopped jalapeno, deveined and seeded
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon shredded colby jack cheese
- 2 packages (15 count) Athens Mini Fillo Shells
Instructions
Combine the shrimp, lime juice, chili powder, salt, olive oil, and garlic in a large bowl. Mix to coat the shrimp, then cook in a skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove from heat.
In a bowl, stir the warm cooked grits with the chopped jalapeño and the shredded Colby-Jack cheese. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
Spoon the grits into each mini fillo shell, then top each with one cooked shrimp. Serve warm.
Did you make this recipe?
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Athens. All opinions are my own — I appreciate your support of the brands I love.