Our dear friends, Albert and Irene, will be heading back to Holland in two weeks. We will miss them! Devon will miss fire pit, cigar and scotch time with Al…and I will miss long heart to hearts with Irene. Our kids will miss their new “auntie and uncle”. They have quickly become members of our family and fixtures in our day to day life. It really will be hard to say good bye.
Last night, Albert’s dad joined us for a taste of Baltimore. He is here on holiday, making the most of his son’s time in the USA. Typically we would get a few dozen crabs, but it was a late dinner so we decided to steam shrimp, Baltimore style!
For those of you who have never had the privilege of smelling a plate of hot steaming shrimp that has been slathered in Old Bay…or if you have never taken the time to sit with friends, pop open a cold one and peel your hearts away….or if you have never tried one of these babies dipped in a spicy cocktail sauce…this recipe is for you! It’s easy and a crowd pleaser. You don’t need much to go along with it. We usually steam some fresh Maryland corn, but last night Devon decided to grill these sweet juicy ears.
Shrimp With Old Bay:
2 lbs. unpeeled shrimp, heads off
1 lemon cut in quarters
Can of Old Bay (really, use Old Bay…other substitutes really don’t cut it!)
1. Place 4 C. of water and lemon into a Dutch oven. Bring water to a boil.
2. Place colander in pot and put shrimp inside.
3. Sprinkle one side generously with Old Bay…put a lid on top and steam approx. 2-3 min.
4. Toss shrimp (so underside is up) and sprinkle generously with Old Bay…put lid on top and steam another 2-3 min. (Shrimp should be corally pink, not gray!)
It really is that easy! Devon mixed up cocktail sauce, with an extra spoon of horseradish! Irene tossed together a salad of cucumbers, toasted pine nuts and tomatoes and placed on a bed of baby greens.
Albert’s dad was in awe! He said in Holland they don’t have such large and juicy shrimp. He loved the spice! He was surprised the corn was sweet because in Holland it is not!
It was a great evening that we will cherish. We don’t have much time left with our friends, so we are making the most of what time we have. I guess we could always make plans to go to their side of the pond and have a Holland Love Feast! What do you think, Chris Ann?! You up for a trip?
that looks like a lovefeast to me! yummmm tastic. God I love Old Bay
Oh my…I’ve got to run right out and get some shrimp! I always have Old Bay on hand. Dinner will be awesome tonight! Thanks so much for the inspiration, Kristin!
My mouth is watering. We always had steamed shrimp with lots of Old Bay to celebrate New Year’s Eve on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but I feel the need for some right now!
I think we should arrange for a “blogging business trip”! Besides, we didn’t get to give them a proper goodbye from Minnesota! We definitely had a wonderful meal with them in January! So long Albert & Irene, we’ll see you soon!
The words written on this blog is according to previous comment mouth watering. The discription of the food that they made for us all was truely mouth watering. However, the evening was not limited to this. The amazing friendship makes it even more special. As the title of the blog (lovefeasttable) it was truely a love feast. That is the true item that makes this even a better meal. Just to sit down, talk and enjoy eachother. Not as in a restaurant where you get the bill after 15 minutes but european style. just to sit down and relax. Enjoy eachothers companey. awesome. After the meal a nice splitup in male and femal. Guys whiskey, girls something ealse. Ofcourse we solved all the problems of this world. thanks guys it was an amazing evening….
We will miss solving the world’s problems, in person with the two of you! We will miss scotch time…talk time…and your friendship, up close. But, know, wherever we all end up…you always have a place at our table!!