Low Country Boil

I am about to share with you the greatest of all Southern treasures: the Low Country Boil. A peppy, flavorful dish you'll want again & again. It's a simple mix of great things that everyone pretty much loves & probably the easiest recipe I've ever seen (other than that cereal stuff...I keep adding the milk first!).

The Low Country Boil (based on the seasoning used in the boil) was "invented" by a former coach of USC (that's S. Carolina, Trojan fans) & uses kielbasa, shrimp, potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, and onion. Some recipes also use crab legs, though I've never had that one.

Now the seasoning will be the tough part here. For those of you who have a Bi-Lo, you're in luck! The seasoning can be found in the spice aisle. For those of you relegated to the frozen wastes of the northern plains...well I can tell you what's in it, but not much more than that. E-mail me if that's the route you want to take.

OK, so here's the recipe:

You need:
1 large boiling pot (2 gallons, not that pansy 1 gallon deal)
1 6oz pack of Low Country Boil seasoning
3 Hillshire Farms turkey kielbasa
3 1/2 lbs of new (red) potatoes, cut in half
12 pack of cut corn-on-the-cob
1 large white onion, quartered (sweet vidalia if you can get it)
1 1/2 lbs of shrimp (peeled, tails on)

Boil the water, adding all of the seasoning.
Add the potatoes, onion & let sit for about 15 minutes.
Next, add the corn for about 7-8 minutes.
The kielbasa goes in next for about 5 minutes.
Lastly, the shrimp is added for about 6-7 minutes.

After about a total 30 minutes at a boil, remove from heat & drain most of the water. Keep about 16oz of the water to place at the bottom of the serving bowl (optional) for bread dipping. Traditionally, the Boil is dumped out on a table cloth & you just take what you want. For more refined, New England-types, serve in a large pasta bowl.

Note: the corn absorbs most of the heat in the seasoning. While it's not very hot, it will leave a little warmth on your lips. For reference, a jalapeno will have more burn on your lips than this seasoning.