Photos by Jamie Plain
In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to forget the importance of fostering a sense of community right where we live – thriving within our neighborhoods. And what better way to celebrate that sense of togetherness than by throwing a neighborhood get-together? Of course we all know nothing brings people together more than delicious food. Seafood boils are a great option to consider for cooking large batches of quality food at once.
This recipe for a seafood boil includes a broth packed with flavors and seasonings. If you worry about it being too strong for your crowd, feel free to stick with just the crab boil bag, onions, garlic, and lemons for your broth. You can always create the cajun butter separately, and leave it for your neighbors to dip their food in if they choose. Seafood boils can be customized in thousands of ways, from what veggies you choose to include, your seasonings, and your favorite seafoods. Choose whatever works best for you and your party!
Ingredients:
4-5 pounds of fresh seafood (shrimp, crab legs, crawfish, lobster, mussels, and/or clams)
4 ears of corn on the cob, cut in 3-inch pieces
2 pounds of smoked sausage, sliced into chunks
2 pounds of small red potatoes, (halved unless they are small)
2 large onions, halved
3 lemons, halved
8 cloves of garlic
2 bay leaves
1 crab boil bag
1 chicken bouillon cube
1/2 cup of Old Bay seasoning (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup of Cajun seasoning (preferably no salt)
2 tablespoons of lemon pepper
1 tablespoon of hot sauce (optional)
Cayenne Pepper to taste
Cajun Butter Sauce:
1 cup diced onion
6 cloves minced garlic (or to taste)
1/2 cup broth from the seafood boil
4 sticks unsalted butter
Juice from one large lemon
3 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
2 tbps lemon pepper
Cayenne pepper to taste
Smoked Paprika to taste
Red pepper flakes to taste
1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
1/2 cup fresh parsley
Instructions:
Prepare the Seafood:
» Rinse the seafood under cold water, removing any debris or sand.
» If using whole crab legs, break them into sections with a crab cracker or kitchen shears.
» If using crawfish, rinse them thoroughly to purge and remove any debris.
Prepare the Spice Mix:
» In a small bowl, combine the Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, and cayenne. Set aside.
Prepare the Boil Pot:
» Fill a large stockpot or outdoor boiler with enough water to cover all the ingredients. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
» Once boiling, add the crab boil bag, minced garlic, bay leaves, lemon halves, bouillon cube, hot sauce and the spice mix to the pot. Stir to combine.
Add the Ingredients:
» Add the potatoes and onions to the pot first, as they will take the longest to cook. Let them boil for about 12 minutes.
» Next, add the smoked sausage and corn on the cob to the pot. Continue boiling for another 5 minutes.
Add the Seafood:
» Add whatever seafood you decided on to the pot in the following order: (raw) crab legs, lobster tails, mussels/clams, crawfish & shrimp. Be sure to space them out evenly to ensure even cooking.
» Cover the pot and let everything boil until the seafood is cooked through. You can work on the butter as it cooks.
Prepare the Cajun Butter:
» Mix all the spices listed in the cajun butter recipe in a bowl and set aside.
» In a saucepan, saute onion and garlic on medium heat until clear/fragrant. Add the sticks of butter and stir until melted.
» Add broth from the seafood boil, lemon juice, and the prepared spices. Stir until combined and let simmer for 3-5min.
» Add half of the parsley and save the rest for garnish.
Finish and Serve:
» Once everything in the boil is cooked, carefully remove the seafood and other ingredients from the pot using a slotted spoon or spider strainer, and transfer them to a large serving platter or table lined with newspaper or butcher paper.
» Pour 1/2 of the prepared cajun butter over the top of the food. Serve the rest alongside the seafood boil for dipping.
» Garnish the seafood with chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
» Provide cocktail sauce for those who prefer a tangy dip with their seafood.
Enjoy the seafood boil with friends and neighbors at your block party!
Tips:
» Make sure to adjust the cooking times based on the size and type of seafood you’re using. Overcooking can make the seafood tough.
» Feel free to customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of Cajun seasoning and hot sauce to your taste preferences.
» Provide plenty of napkins and bibs for your guests, as seafood boils can get messy! OL
