SHRIMP, BACON, AND GRITS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine 4 1/2 cups water with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; bring to a boil. Whisk in grits; reduce heat to medium-low; cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until creamy, about 30 minutes. Stir in butter and pepper sauce.
• In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel; let cool, then crumble.
• Add half the shrimp to the rendered fat in skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cook, turning, until pink and opaque throughout, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate, and repeat with remaining shrimp.
• Serve grits with shrimp and crumbled bacon on top. Season with additional pepper sauce, as desired.