Labor Day recipe for the whole family

Labor Day is just around the corner—happening this year on Monday, September 7. Even though 2020 is a year characterized by staying at home more than ever, Labor Day still marks a short time when we can take a break from the busyness of our lives. It’s a great day to connect with family and take the time to do new things together.

That’s why we’re providing a recipe for the whole family to cook together! There are a lot of benefits for cooking together as a family, including:

• Promoting confidence and self-esteem
• Teaching younger family members about food preparation, nutrition, and following directions.
• Socializing together offline is often more engaging and meaningful — not to mention more fun!

Need help coming up with a recipe to cook with your family? Centerstone’s Jason Hernandez, Chief Human Resources Officer presented a recipe in the Food Network’s Ultimate Recipe Showdown for his Spicy Low-Country Shrimp and Grits.  This is a meal he likes to cook with his family and it’s so good that he took home the winning prize!

Check out the recipe and directions below to make your own:

Spicy Low-Country Shrimp and Grits

Ingredients

Grits:

• 4 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup stone-ground yellow grits
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon pepper sauce
• 2 ounces grated Cheddar

Shrimp:

• 1 ½ pounds (21 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ pound diced andouille sausage
• 2 teaspoons diced garlic
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 small chopped piquillo peppers
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme basil)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Sliced scallions

Directions

Grits:

1. Bring milk, salt, pepper and butter to a boil.
2. Stir in grits, pepper flakes and pepper sauce over low heat.
3. When consistency is ready, in about 45 to 50 minutes, add cheese and stir.

Shrimp:

1. Toss shrimp in Cajun seasoning and set aside.
2. In a sauté pan, over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the sausage and render for 3 minutes.
3. Add garlic and stir for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Add shrimp and butter, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Stir in cayenne pepper, piquillo and pepper flakes. Add fresh herbs and let simmer for 3 minutes.
6. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
7. Plate grits in shallow bowls with shrimp mixture over the top. Garnish with scallions to serve.

To see Jason Hernandez cook this recipe and win the Food Network competition, click here.