How to Host a Spicy Cajun Shrimp Boil

A spicy Cajun shrimp boil is a wonderful tradition that brings together family and friends. A spicy Cajun shrimp boil is very similar to a crawfish boil and is easier for people that don't have access to large bags of fresh and living crawfish. We grew up on spicy Cajun shrimp boils and crawfish boils in Louisiana.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One large boiling pot that's 10 quarts or more
• A table or picnic table covered with newspaper and lots of paper towels
• A propane cooker
• Ice for some of the leftover shrimp if there is any!

1. If shrimp is frozen, thaw out in cold water. If they have heads, remove them by squeezing off the heads with your fingertips. It is essential to leave the shrimp in the shells while cooking.

2. In a 10 quart pot, put in about 8 quarts of water. Add the following ingredients:
   
   3 lbs. Shrimp
   1 onion (cut in half)
   1 lemon (cut in half)
   1/4 teaspoon red pepper
   1/2 teaspoon black pepper
   2/3 cup table salt
   1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
   1/4 cup LA red sauce or Tabasco Sauce
   2 bags shrimp and crab boil

3. Boil for seven minutes. Turn off heat.

4. Let soak in the seasonings for about 10 minutes so the shrimp really absorbs that taste you'll want for a really good spicy Cajun Shrimp Boil. Remove shrimp.

5. After you've cooked one or more batches of shrimp, add red potatoes and corn on the cob and cook those until you can take a potato out and it's done.

6. Dump shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes on a picnic table covered with newspaper. Serve tea, beer, Zydeco music. You can also serve some of the shrimp on ice as some people like it eaten cold and it ends up a little crisper. You've just hosted your first spicy Cajun Shrimp boil. Have fun and people will be talking about your party for years! Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

Tips & Warnings

• It is more fun if this is done outdoors with a good crowd
• Don't neglect the veggies. Those potatoes and corn on the cob are really spicy and tasty.
• Shrimp is a low-fat food and has relatively low Weight Watcher Points
• This can be cooked indoors, but the spices waft throughout the house and is so pungent it can make your eyes water.
• Three pounds of shrimp will on average feed about 4 - 6 people so if you have more people make additional batches or get a bigger pot and proportionately increase ingredients.

[cincin1]

on 9/11/2009 Fantastic -- great idea for a summer event.

[unclet53]

on 4/22/2009 I know this is good. I'll try your recipe before the week is out, hopefully tonight.

[goodeats]

on 4/21/2009 sounds good, think I will try it soon.

[glchan0]

on 4/12/2009 I love spicy foods, and cajun is one of my favorites.

[Gertrud]

on 3/30/2009 I love Cajun cooking! This sounds like a great family or friend get-together event. Will have to try it this summer. Thanks for sharing a childhood experience too. 5*'s