Barbecue Shrimp with Cheesy Polenta

If you can believe this, I had actually forgotten just how good this dinner was.  Thankfully, I have rediscovered exactly how much I love it.  The polenta is so smooth and full of cheesy flavor, and the shrimp and homemade barbecue sauce go so nicely with the polenta.  Do you think it sounds weird?  Maybe it does, but it doesn't taste weird and since that is what matters, I think we're good.  I you prefer, you can also change out the polenta for grits instead, adding the butter and cheese as normal.

Barbecue Shrimp With Cheesy Polenta

1 recipe homemade Polenta (recipe to follow)

1 teaspoon butter

1/2 large onion, diced

1 cup frozen corn

1 recipe Honey Barbecue Sauce (recipe to follow) or use your favorite

12 ounces medium sized, precooked shrimp

In a large skillet, cook the onion in butter until tender, then add the corn and barbecue sauce.  Cook and stir until simmering, then quickly stir in shrimp and remove from heat.  Serve the barbecue shrimp over the cheesy polenta.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy

Honey Barbecue Sauce

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

2 Tablespoons honey

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 Tablespoon molasses

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

1/8 teaspoon pepper

In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Serve.  Makes about 1 1/3 cups.

Cheesy Polenta 

1 cup cornmeal

1 cup cold water

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons butter

2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

In a saucepan, bring 2 3/4 cups water to a boil. Meanwhile, combine cornmeal, cold water, and salt in a small bowl. Carefully add cornmeal mixture into boiling water, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until mixture returns to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until mixture is very thick, stirring occasionally. Add the butter and shredded cheese, and stir well.