Tuesday, January 17

Cool Temperatures means Shrimp Boil

The fire is too big for this boil.
During Game Day in Clemson, SC we shared the tailgate version of seafood stew known as Frogmore Stew (shrimp, potatoes, corn, sausage, lemon, spices).  The Stew's history dates back to the fisherman and labors cooking big pots along the (Frogmore community) South Carolina shores for their fellow workers and family.

Now it is a BIG southern tradition. 

All you need is a big pot, flames, water, potatoes, corn, some seafood, spices, & sausage (adds to the flavor) optional beer.  The crowds will come.  

Elsewhere in the South I've heard it called Tidewater Boil, Low Country Boil (Stew), Seafood Boil, Beaufort Stew, Crawfish Boil, Gumbo, Creole Stew (Andouille Sausage).
  • In the North, their version is Clam Bake, Crab Boil, Oyster Bake.
  • Ireland immigrants called it, Irish Stew (with onions & potatoes).
  • French call it, Fish Bouillabaise
At a TX Crawfish Boil my first crawfish was eaten, ending 11 years of being a strict vegetarian. I was happy eating spicy red potatoes and corn, but could not pass up the southern hospitality of someone cleaning and giving me my first crawfish tail (aka crawdads). Tastes like shrimp (at least what I remembered). There a new era had begun.

Now it is a party if the seafood boil is made. Red Solo cups, fresh newspaper, paper towels, and finger foods... We love to make it by the boat.

Frogmore Stew:
Simmer-boil water with seasonings, pressed garlic bulbs, herbs, lemons, beer for 20 minutes. Boil potatoes in water with seasoning for 10 minutes, add the sausage and corn for 10-15 minutes, add shrimp for 3-4 minutes.

Medium white shrimp (36-40) have a perfect sweet flavor from Galveston Bay.  Shrimp is marketed in kilograms, so 1 kilogram is equal to 2.2 pound of raw shrimp with the heads. Without the head, peeled, deveined, and cooked, 1 pound of headed raw shrimp now weighs about 1/2 pound.

There are three types of shrimp that are enjoyed to eat: pink, white, brown.  Cooking with the heads on and not deveined does add quite a bit more flavor to the water for the other vegetables, but many people do not enjoy the work and appearance and mouthfeel of the vein.  

1 comment:

  1. Tidewater Boil or maybe Pirates Stew, Great theme for a cruise, everyone bring seafood / corn, potatos toss them in spicey boiling water.

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