Island Shrimp and Grits and a Caribbean Snowfall Cocktail
Look out.
I was recently asked by Captain Morgan’s Rum to join their Captain’s Table and create a few dishes using their incredible rums. I almost said no, you see…it’s been crazy here as of late, and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it could get so ugly here in a couple of weeks that I may blink and totally miss Christmas.
But I’m being a little dramatic, aren’t I?
I decided that I HAD to accept the Captain’s challenge, for a short list of reasons.
One – I absolutely adore the PR rep. There, I said it – he just makes me giggle and I will do whatever it takes to make him happy.
Two – Who doesn’t want free rum?
Three – High Acheson (yeah, dreamboat on a stick) is judging this shindig, and I intend to win, so that I can meet him in person, where he will be smitten with me, and invite me to the islands where we will get magical suntans and ride unicorns on the beach as the sun sets.
Or he’ll tweet me, whichever.
So let’s get started.
First up on my Rum Adventure I made shrimp. Let’s call it an islandy version on Shrimp and Grits…perfect for rum.
The grits are made with small chunks of mango and pineapple, with a splash of rum for good measure. I added some garlic and onion to round out the flavors, as well as a bit of bacon grease.
One can never have enough bacon.
Speaking of bacon – the shrimp are wrapped in bacon, and brushed with a rum infused pineapple barbeque sauce. Rich and flavorful, and full of spice. The shrimp are ideal when paired with the grits, and together they just scream vacation.
Now, if this is a vacation, you need a drink. This is your drink.
I call it the Caribbean Snowfall. Yes, I know it doesn’t snow in the Caribbean, but the sprinkling of shredded coconut on the rim of the glass mimics snow, and offers a wonderful smell as you lift the glass to have a taste. So much citrus inside – and a kick – you’ll be hard pressed not to make more than one.
Enjoy!
Island Shrimp and Grits
For the Grits
- 3 cups prepared grits
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup diced mango
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Captain Morgan’s Original Rum
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12-15 pieces bacon
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup Dixie Crystals brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Captain Morgan’s Black Spiced Rum
- 1/3 cup prepared barbeque sauce
- Prepare the grits according to standard method.
- While grits are cooking, combine remaining grits ingredients of medium low heat, stirring occasionally to combine. Bring to a simmer and allow to thicken. When grits are ready, stir the simmering ingredients into the grits until well combined. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
- For the shrimp, place pineapple juice, brown sugar, rum and barbeque sauce in a small sauce pot and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Allow to thicken.
- Preheat oven to 400 and prepare a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Wrap the bacon pieces around the shrimp and place on a skewer. Place skewers on the prepared baking sheet and brush each with the pineapple-rum sauce. Bake until shrimp is pink and bacon is done. Serve over grits.
Caribbean Snowfall
makes 2
- 4 ounces fresh orange juice
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 4 ounces Captain Morgan’s Original Spiced Rum
- 2 drops Sriracha
- 8 ounces Ginger Beer
- 2 glasses, rimmed in coconut flake, full of ice
Combine orange juice, pineapple juice, rum and sriracha in a cocktail shaker. Shake to combine. Pour into two prepared glasses, top with ginger beer. Garnish as desired.
Captain’s Table Challenge
Captain Morgan is teaming up with celebrity chef Hugh Acheson to launch the Captain’s Table Challenge, and we’d love for you to participate! The challenge is based around the brand’s recently launched Captain’s Table program, which encourages consumers 21+ to submit their holiday recipes and entertaining tips via social media properties. For every recipe submitted on Twitter utilizing the #CaptainsTable hashtag through the beginning of February, the brand will submit $1 to TBA charity.
Awesome, right? Get to tweeting, and let’s raise some money for charity!
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Captain Morgan’s. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
