The Ultimate Charleston Shrimp and Grits – Garden & Gun

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pounds headless large (21 to 25 count) shell-on shrimp
• 1 bay leaf
• Kosher salt
• 3/4 tsp. sugar
• 1 pinch of cayenne
• 1 lb. vine-ripened tomatoes, cored and quartered
• 1 tsp. red wine vinegar, plus more to taste
• 4 oz. slab bacon, cut into large dice
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Charleston Hominy (recipe below)
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup stone-ground coarse grits
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper