Red-Eye Shrimp and Grits

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 ounces country ham or other smoked ham, chopped
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon dried minced thyme
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 cup strong coffee
1/4 cup sherry
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste
1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp
Cooked grits or cheese grits

Saute ham in olive oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat until golden. Add mushrooms, seasoning salt and thyme and saute until mushrooms are golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add green onions and garlic and saute 3 minutes more.

Combine coffee, sherry, cornstarch and hot sauce in a small bowl. Add to the saute pan and bring to a simmer. Add the shrimp and simmer until cooked, about 2 minutes.

Spoon grits onto dinner plates, then divide the red-eye shrimp over the grits.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutritional information per serving (excluding grits): 214 calories, 25.3 grams protein, 7.9 grams carbohydrates, 1.1 grams fiber, 7.1 grams fat, 1.6 grams saturated fat, 178 milligrams cholesterol and 820 milligrams sodium