The Recipe For The Low Country Boils

By Marjorie Richards


If you are thinking of some exciting moment with family members or you have a party and you want to impress your guests, then it is time to check what the old age tradition has to offer. Described as a one pot wonder, the low country boils is the perennial favorite of most states on the south coast. In fact, it has been described as the southern coast equivalent to a New England clambake due to its traditional role and cultural significance.

The two most commonly used setup for making the boils include the use of a strainer and burner pot that is common for a deep frying turkey. The other method is to use a stove setup with large pots. The size and space available are the only limiting factors in this case. Otherwise, it is simple to prepare and can feed a large crowd or a small family gathering, all that you need is the right amount of ingredients.

The main ingredients include the potatoes, the corn on the cob, the sausage and fresh shrimp with shells on. Each of these varies depending on the size of the crowd. In order to make 16 pounds of the boil, you need 5 pounds of whole potatoes (new) cut into quarters, 3 pounds of corn cut into thirds or halves, 3 pounds of sausage each cut into 2-3 long inches, and 5 pounds of fresh shrimps with shells on.

When it comes to the ingredients, the primary ingredients are normally the same and are popular with most chefs. The four main ingredients include the corn on the cob, the potatoes, and the fresh shrimp with shells on and the potatoes. Going with the four ingredients, it was easy to make a 16-pound boil that is enough to feed 30 to 40 people.

The cooking starts by first filling the container (30-quart pot) half full of water. Then add Old Bay Seasoning to taste. You can use other seasoning depending on your preference. Most people use 2 ounces of the Old Bay, although it can be more or less depending on your preferences.

The other ingredients that may be present in one recipe and not the other include the onions, garlic cloves, lemon, crab, fresh crawfish and several others. You may prefer to go for the cocktail sauce, the tartar sauce, and the hot sauce and serve with the bear. For seasoning, Old Bay is most commonly preferred.

The boil is very simple to cook, you just fill a 30-quart pot or any other pot that you choose half full of clean water, and add your seasoning; in this case two ounces of the Old Bay will do. After you heat the water to boiling point, add potatoes first. Boil for additional 15 minutes and then drop in sausages. This is followed by 5 minutes boiling after which you should add corn and cook 3 more minutes before finally adding shrimp. Within two minutes, the shrimps turn pink and start floating meaning that the meal is ready.

Regardless of your chosen method, the country boil offers the perfect alternative to spend a Memorial Day weekend with the family and loved ones. It offers a great way to get-together as you make this time honored traditional recipe. In order to feed a crowd, you only have to multiply the ingredients.




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