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Shrimp Boil

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(5)

Image may contain Food Animal Seafood Shrimp and Sea Life

How do you impart the most flavor in a boil without overcooking the shrimp? Ice! Adding 4 cups of ice cubes to the pot as soon as the shrimp are cooked through allows them to continue to absorb the flavors of the boil without getting tough. For a classic meal, pair with corn on the cob and boiled potatoes, or serve as a starter for a crowd.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

2 onions, halved crosswise
1 head of garlic, halved crosswise
5 whole cloves
3 bay leaves
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
4 teaspoons yellow mustard seeds
2 teaspoons dill seeds
2 teaspoons whole allspice
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 lemon, halved
5 dashes (or more) hot pepper sauce, preferably Crystal
1 1/2 pounds unpeeled large shrimp (about 30)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine first 12 ingredients and 8 cups water in a large pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 20 minutes. Squeeze in juice from lemon; add lemon to pot. Add hot sauce and shrimp. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are just cooked through, about 3 minutes.

    Step 2

    Turn off heat, add 4 cups ice cubes, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and place on a newspaper-lined baking sheet. Serve with additional hot sauce, if desired.

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