Grilled Shrimp Boil

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, 

whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything 

is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." 

Philippians 4:8  

Food for the Palate
Ingredients:

1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined 

2 ears of corn on the cob, husked 

1/2 pound Andouille Sausage (you can use any sausage of choice) 

1 pound baby red potatoes OR baby yellow potatoes

1 large sweet onion, cut into large pieces 

2-4 garlic cloves, minced (your reference)

Juice of 1/2 lemon, plus lemon wedges for serving 

3 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning 

3 Tbsp melted butter 

Salt and pepper, to taste 

Chopped fresh parsley, for topping
Aluminum foil

Instructions: 

Make sure your shrimp are cleaned properly. 

Chop corncobs into thirds. Cut potatoes in half if they are big. Baby potatoes can stay whole. Boil corn and potatoes for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

In a large bowl combine shrimp, sausage, onion, corn, and potatoes. Stir together 3 Tbsp melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, garlic, juice from half a lemon, and salt and pepper to taste and pour over shrimp, sausage, and veggies. Stir to coat.

Divide the above prepared ingredients between four 12x12 inch sheets of aluminum foil. Fold edges of foil up around the food to create a closed packet. I divide into four packets because it is easier to put on the grill and to flip than a large packet full of everything.

Cook on preheated grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes on one side, then flip and cook another 5-6 minutes on the second side. 

If you don't want to grill, you can bake the packets at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until corn is tender and shrimp are pink and fully cooked.

Serve shrimp boil packets on individual plates or serve it the way I did and put it all in one big pot and bring to the table, topped with chopped parsley or fresh basil, and lemon wedges for squeezing. Tasty to the Palate!

Food for the Soul

It isn’t clear as to when the shrimp boil started. Some believe it was created by local shrimpers who used what they had on hand to make a seafood stew. Another story floating around out there is that a National Guardsman from Beaufort, South Carolina, invented the stew when he was cooking for 100 soldiers. Culinary tradition claims that Cajun people brought a seafood boil with them in the 1700’s.  It doesn’t really matter how it came about. It is a loved tradition and enjoyed for several hundred years!

A seafood boil always reminds me of good beach fun and clam bakes! And growing up I loved watching the “Beach Party Movies” with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, and the “Gidget Movies” with Sandra Dee and James Darren. I still enjoy watching them today. Sometimes I can even talk my husband into watching one with me! Life seemed less complicated in these movies as people seemed to enjoy the simpler things.  

Life today seems so complicated, doesn’t it? Our country is filled with godlessness, hatred, racism, selfishness, haughty pride, and entitlement! What a wonderful world it would be if we all lived a simpler, more biblical way like Paul urges us..."Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." Philippians 4:8  

The United States has the largest Christian population in the world, with nearly 240 million identifying themselves as Christians. And yet, often times it is difficult to even know if someone is actually following Christ at all. As we look around and see the effects of this sinful, fallen world, it is a reminder for us to make sure that we are living a life that is pleasing God in heaven and brings glory to Him. Philippians 4:8 gives us a good gauge to show us how we are doing.

Like shrimp that need to have the shell removed and cleaned out before we eat them, as a Christian we need to allow our outer shell of pride and selfishness to be removed. We need to be cleansed and given a new heart. If we don’t allow the Holy Spirit to do this, our lives will continue to be stressful, unfulfilling and complicated. We will never be able to enjoy the simpler, more important things that God wants us to enjoy. Maybe it is best to narrow our world down to a size that is manageable for us. Start small with those that are already in our lives. God will do the rest and direct us where He thinks is best! Satisfying to the Soul!