How to host an amazing crawfish/shrimp boil party

Shrimp boil with corn on the cob, garlic, polish sausage, carrots.

Circa 2009 again.
I had never even heard of a “shrimp boil,” much less been to one. I wasn’t even sure what to expect, but whatever…it was a party invitation with new friends of the family and really, when have I ever turned down the chance at food?
If you don’t know what it is either, it’s often times with crawfish (crayfish? crawdads? craw daddies?) and is mostly associated with Louisiana or at the very least, the coast. Wikipedia is happy to explain more:
A boil is usually done in a large pot (60 to 80 quarts) fitted with a strainer and heated by propane. However, some traditionalists see no need for a strainer and make use of a net or a wire mesh scoop. Seasonings include crab boil packets, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, salt, lemons, and bay leaf. Ears of corn, new potatoes, onions, and heads of garlic are usually included in shrimp and crawfish boils. Some people will add smoked sausage links and/or mushrooms. (….) The contents of the pot are removed, drained, and then dumped onto a newspaper covered table. (…) Bottles of hot sauce, lemons and melted butter are usually available
I didn’t know any of this beforehand, so it was quite new for me. Watching the guys rip open ‘alcoholic beverage’ boxes and bags for the serving platter and dumping food everywhere was….well….spectacular.
I know it’s silly, but I love that! Nothing fancy. Nothing scheduled or concrete or any special way that something has to be eaten. Just dig in!
We learned lots that night actually, and the pictures will teach you about a great party way better than I can with words, so enjoy:
Family hanging out, playing cornhole, peeling shrimp
(Oops, sorry it’s blurry…old camera)
Friends and family are key. I don’t remember how many people were there, but everyone acted like they knew each other, even though some of us were clueless. A great party should feel like you’re hanging out in your PJs with family, even when it happens to be coworkers, too.

Boil master, watching the pot of shrimp and foodKids hanging out on swing

Seats should be aplenty, but musical chair should be encouraged. Adults and kids alike were all over the place, running about or playing games, but there was always a seat ready to be taken when feet needed a break.

Oh, and on the left, there, that’s the Boil Master. He’s in charge of manning the pot, making sure the ingredients go in at the right time, and keeping anxious fingers at bay.

Shrimp boil pot being dumped out on beer boxes
Potholders are key. The basket is hot and you don’t want to waste any time with burned fingers unless it’s from popping open shrimp!
Shrimp, corn, carrots, garlic being dumped onto torn up bags and beer boxes

Dump away!

Louisiana seafood boil dumped on spread out newspaper

It might look like there’s a helping hand involved there, but really, there’s just a line of people waiting to dig in and as soon as he backs up, they’ll crowd the table from all directions.

This is actually a picture from the second or third round, as evidenced by the carrots left behind from the previous go and a fresh batch going on top.

Blowing on pile of food from food party

Blowing on it really isn’t going to help, but if you’re hungry and impatient, you can try, hehe.

Child (N) peeling shrimp

Learning to peel your own shrimp can be hard…and gross even.

Kid learning how to devein and peel shrimp for the first timePeeled shrimp looking at you, rawr! :P

But the success is so worth it. Even the shrimp will be smiling by the end. :)

Bottles of condiments - Ketchup, ranch dressing, butter, etc, for seafood boil with cracks and Budweiser Light

Ketchup, ranch dressing, squeezable butter and crackers should all be arranged on your best pink kids’ table. The crackers are perfect for the whole garlic clovers that will melt in your mouth or to pair with the butter while you’re chomping at the bit, waiting for the next round to come out.

Little girl picking up bags for game of cornhole

Kids playing cornhole

Bags/corn hole can be a backyard blast, especially if you have little helpers in between. Horse-shoes could be fun, too, but watch out for little toes.

Older sister hugging and comforting younger sister who was hurt

If accidents do happen, make sure you have a big sister around to comfort you. They’re the best.

3 pairs of princess fake shoes

Princess shoes are optional, but highly recommended.

Little girls deciding over who gets which pair of shoesTrading princess sheos

They entertain for hours, encourage sharing and trading….

Man with yellow princess shoes heels

And really, even the big kids will love them. ;)

Kids playing with pink Barbie jeepPrincess running away from little boy

Just keep an eye out for runaway jeeps and princesses.

Kid climbing onto her mom's lap while she's playing the guitarLittle girl climbing onto her mom's lap while she's playing the guitar after a great party
 

And at the end of the night, when bellies are full and everyone’s happy, there’s nothing better than impromptu music and curling up on mama’s lap. If you choose to do them at the same time, though, your mileage may vary…. ;)

Barbecue tips – Cook food over an active volcano

barbecue, quirky, restaurant | February 21, 2012 | By

El Diablo restaurant - cooking over open fire volcano

Really, nobody is going to care if the food is a little extra dry or maybe not packed as full of flavor as you might have liked. Because it was cooked by a freakin’ volcano!

It won’t be cheap, but to get the best barbecue, it’s obviously worth it. This particular volcano is on a Spanish island near Morocco. In 1970 Cesar Manrique created a restaurant called El Diablo. They grill all meat and fish straight over the open heat. Don’t worry, though. This isn’t a volcano erupting with any actual lava spewing all over the place. It’s basically just a hole of hot heat.

El Diablo restaurant - cooking chicken and fish over open fire volcano

But it’s volcanic hot heat. How cool is that?

If you’re ever in the area, the Volcan Grill Tour is operated every Tuesday from 6 to 9:30 PM. For €50, you get a tour of the area, a three course meal, and transportation to and from your hotel. That’s really not that bad at all, huh?

I couldn’t find any really good videos but this will give you an idea of what the restaurant on Lanzarote is like.

Cook corn on the cob in a cooler

I’m all for mass producing food, so this little tip is one I’m surprised I haven’t seen before. I’m sure all the campers and outdoors-lovers already know it, though, so I’m disappointed none of you shared.

Just pile in all your cleaned corn, pour in hot boiling water, close the lid, and in half an hour, you’ll have awesomely cooked corn. No stove full of burners going, no heating up the kitchen, and pans being tied up. Perfect for a family barbecue at the park or a party at home.

Now all you need are some Uni-corn holders…