the 8th anniversary of your 21st...

...or so Dan's friend Will called his 29th birthday yesterday. As promised, a full report on the shrimp and grits and other birthday festivities...

City Grocery Shrimp and Grits

Grits

1 C Quaker Quick Grits

1/2 tsp Paprika

1 C extra sharp white cheddar

1/2 C grated Parmesan

4 T butter

1 tsp cayenne pepper

salt and pepper to taste

Cook grits as per box instructions. Add rest of ingredients as grits are finishing. Blend well. Hold in 250 degree oven, covered, until needed.

Shrimp

1 1/2 pounds (26-30 count) shrimp

1/4 C olive oil

2 tsp minced garlic

2 C sliced white mushrooms

4 T white wine

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp black pepper

3/4 C smoked bacon, chopped

2 T lemon juice

1 1/2 C green onions, sliced thin, greens only

Cook bacon reserving fat. Drain bacon on paper towel. In the same saute pan, heat olive oil and bacon fat. When at smoke point, add shrimp.

Salt and pepper immediately and stir until shrimp begin to turn pink.

Add garlic and bacon and blend well.

Add mushroom and toss until they begin to soften.

Add lemon juice and wine and coat everything well.

Toss in green onions, stir briefly and serve over grits immediately.

Dan said they were good (of course he would...), but I think I need another shot at it to get it perfect. It doesn't take long to prepare, but once you get it started it all has to happen pretty fast. My mom's was better...alas...the plight of having parents who are amazing cooks.

For lack of time, I had to pick up a cake...quite a blow to the self-proclaimed baker, especially when I've got an awesome family recipe for Dan's favorite, Red Velvet Cake, but had to happen. I ordered the cake from Edgar's Bakery It was DELICIOUS. Really moist, not too red (like when you can tell they added a quart of food coloring), cream cheese icing and 4 LAYERS!!!

Overall a good birthday for Dan the man and his stro-dog.

Nothing better than a man, his dog and a beer.