Source: Pixabay: Hans
Best Low Country Boil Shrimp Soup
The essence of this dish are simple ingredients and flavors reminiscent of the sea. It's traditionally a communal outdoor meal, meant to be devoured at a picnic table by friends and family, utterly dripping in flavor, salty from the sea, and pleading for a cold drink nearby.
Ingredients
- 5 quarts of water
- 1 bottle of beer (optional)
- 2 bags of crab boil seasoning
- 2 teaspoons of hot sauce
- 4 bay leaves
- 2 lemons, halved
- 2 Pounds of new potatoes
- 2 large onions, quartered
- 2 Pounds of smoked sausage, cut into two inch pieces
- 8 Ears of corn, halved crosswise
- 4 Pounds of unpeeled, large fresh shrimp
- Old Bay seasoning (optional)
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Directions
Take a large stockpot, then combine water, beer (add beer if you prefer to have a slight malt flavor, if not just stick to water), crab boil seasoning, hot sauce, bay leaves, and lemons. Remember, the spiciness comes from the hot sauce and crab boil seasoning, so adjust according to your preference.
Bring the water mixture to a rolling boil over high heat. Brewing a flavorful broth is crucial; it's what ensnares your potatoes and corn with an unforgettable taste.
Add potatoes, cover the pot, and cook for about 10 minutes. Here, remember to not overcook the potatoes.
Add onions and sausage, allow these to cook for another 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Do not just drop the onions in the pot, submerge them slowly to preserve its layers which can otherwise separate in the boiling broth.
Add corn to this mix, cooking for another 5 minutes.
Add shrimp. Cook until they turn pink, generally within 3 to 5 minutes. Beware not to overcook your shrimp, they can quickly turn from succulent to rubbery.
Drain the boil. Sprinkle it with some Old Bay Seasoning on top, this is optional but it gives an additional layer of flavor.
Serve this Low Country Boil hot and steamy, alongside some melted butter, a few lemon wedges, and a whole lot of napkins.