Succulent, charred shrimp lay on a bed of sunshine-yellow sweet corn grits. A vibrant medley of red tomatoes and cubed watermelon, punctuated with fresh green cilantro, sits alongside. An arc of lime wedges adds a pop of color.

Charred Shrimp with Sweet Corn Grits and Tomato-Watermelon Salsa

Name: Charred Shrimp with Sweet Corn Grits and Tomato-Watermelon Salsa
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: large shrimp, 24 peeled and deveined; quick-grits, 1 cup; sweet corn, 3 ears kernels removed; half-and-half, 1 cup; tomatoes, 2 diced; watermelon, 1 cup cubed; cilantro, 1 small bunch chopped; limes, 2 quartered; olive oil, 4 tbsp; salt,; freshly ground black pepper,

Category Main Course

Prep 10 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style American

Technique Grilling

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily Recipe: August 20, 2023

Savor the bounty of the summer season with this fusion-American dish. Our recipe highlights fresh sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, and luscious watermelon, all paired perfectly with charred shrimp. The grits bring creamy texture that complements the succulent shrimp, while the corn salsa and watermelon give a refreshing burst of flavors.

Ingredients (for 4)

Large shrimp - 24 - peeled and deveined
Quick-grits - 1 cup
Sweet corn - 3 ears - kernels removed
Half-and-half - 1 cup
Tomatoes - 2 - diced
Watermelon - 1 cup - cubed
Cilantro - 1 small bunch - chopped
Limes - 2 - quartered
Olive oil - 4 tbsp
Salt -
Freshly ground black pepper -

Preparation

Step 1 - 🌽🍚🔥

In a saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and add the corn kernels. Cook until slightly charred. Mix in the quick-grits and half-and-half and follow the instructions on the grits package for cooking.
Step 2 - 🍤🥘🔥

While the grits are cooking, heat a grill pan over high heat. Toss the shrimp in the remaining olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill until lightly charred and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Step 3 - 🍅🍉🍈

In a bowl, mix together the tomatoes, watermelon, and cilantro. Squeeze a lime quarter into the mix.
Step 4 - 🍤🌽🍽️

To serve, spoon a portion of sweet corn grits on each plate, top with charred shrimp, and a side of tomato-watermelon salsa. Garnish with remaining lime quarters.

Additional

This dish is a celebration of late summer produce. For a fun variation, you could switch out the shrimp for sustainable fish like barramundi or mackerel. Kids will especially enjoy helping create the colorful salsa. This dish is incredibly versatile and feels just as suitable for a formal dinner as it does for a relaxed, outdoor meal.