Can it be possible that Memorial Day Weekend is next weekend? Hosting a Seafood Boil is one of my favorite ways to entertain. It is easy (so easy!), not really that expensive, and it makes a fun and festive night. For me, a seafood boil is the essence of casual (but special) summer entertaining. As you know, I love really casual entertaining, so a seafood boil is the perfect marriage of luxury (I mean, we are talking lobster here…) and a roll-up-your-sleeves and dig-in sort of party.
Almost every summer we host some sort of Seafood Boil for our friends. This year, we threw one for my Mom’s surprise birthday party. If you’ve never hosted one before – let me tell you, it is the easiest party you will ever throw. The fresh seafood is such a fun summer treat for everyone and there is very little to do besides set a pretty table. Shop my Summer Products including this Robin’s Egg Blue Enamelware, here.
Seafood Boil serves 6
1 lemon, cut in wedges
1 tablespoon of old bay seasoning
1 tablespoon of whole peppercorns
2 pounds of small potatoes
6 ears of corn
6 small lobster tails (optional)
2 pounds of shrimp
french bread
melted butter
In a large pot of boiling water, add lemon, old bay, peppercorns and potatoes. Boil for 8 minutes. Add corn and lobsters and cook for 3 more minutes. Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes. Drain from water and pile on platter. Serve with crusty bread and melted butter.
In the summer, I’m a beer girl. I love, love, love Summer Shandy. It is like beer and lemonade mixed together. I put it in a deep enamelware basin with ice and wedges of lemon. I also offer white wine to keep everyone happy.
I made very casual candle hurricanes out of old extra large mason jars. I filled the bottoms with large sea salt and then used my Tapers. And of course… Lobster Sugar Cookies are such a fun parting gift… or dessert. They are actually very easy to decorate. If you can trace the outside and color in the lines, you’re set.
Gosh, these cookies make me feel like I’m sitting in Martha’s Vineyard right now.
Shop the Nautical Cookie Cutters, here >
Have I convinced you to throw a Seafood Boil yet? You won’t be sorry! Another favorite version of this is a Shrimp Boil. My brother-in-law hosted us at a boil a couple of years ago – old bay spiced water with sausages, onions, shrimp, corn and potatoes. You can see that recipe, here > What are your favorite Summer party traditions?