Saturday, September 5, 2009

Spicy Steamed Shrimp - Pink Saturday





From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...
The shrimp at the market were gorgeous today, perfect for an informal company meal. I couldn't resist. Shrimp as fresh as these give new meaning to the phrase "finger licking good." They were also on sale and that helped this penny pincher throw caution to the wind. This is a nearly effortless meal. Team the shrimp with steamed corn and potatoes, add some flaming Brandywines for color and you have the makings of a feast. I know you're going to ask about the heads. I buy my shrimp this way whenever I can. When I serve the shrimp to guests I remove the heads with scissors before steaming. When I serve them to family we pass the scissors at the table. While commercial seasoning blends are fine, they are very salty so I prefer to make my own. I use flat beer to steam the shrimp. My steamer, by the way, is a canning kettle. Bob has fashioned a fine mesh screen that holds the shrimp in a rack just above the boiling liquid. I toss the shrimp in a small amount of olive oil before sprinkling them with the seasonings. The light coating helps the seasonings adhere to the shrimp. This is a messy meal. I put two small bowls at each place at the table. One is for shells, the other is for a small damp finger towel. The recipe I use for seasoning comes from Rick Rodgers and it, too, is very easy to assemble. Here's how we do this.

Spicy Steamed Shrimp

Ingredients:
Seasoning Blend
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon ground celery seed
1 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Shrimp
3 to 4 cups flat beer
4 pounds medium shrimp
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup seasoning blend
Optional garnish
Lemon wedges
Hot sauce

Directions:
1) To make seasoning blend: Combine salt, cayenne, celery seed, paprika, dry mustard, black pepper, ground bay leaf, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom and cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix well.
2) To make shrimp: Place a steamer rack in bottom of a large kettle or pot. Add enough beer to almost reach steamer rack. Bring to a boil over high heat. Toss shrimp in olive oil. Arrange a single layer of shrimp on steaming rack. Sprinkle with seasoning blend. Repeat procedure until no shrimp or seasoning remain. Cover pot tightly and steam until shrimp are pink and firm, about 3 minutes. Serve immediately with lemon wedeges and hot sauce if using. Yield: 8 servings.

They post is being linked to Pink Saturday, sponsored by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

63 comments :

My Little Space said...

What a nice choice of shrimps! Steamed shrimps are tasty good especially with a little spicy flavour....and add in a little rice wine or 'shao xing' and some ginger juice, that will be perfect! Mamamia....

NKP said...

What wild looking shrimpies! Being nowherer near an ocean, we never see them with their little heads on.
I love your spice blend - and that they are cooked with beer!
I can just taste the finger licking goodness.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

It just doesn't get any better than pink shrimp. How lucky you are to find them with their heads on. When we lived in Louisiana we bought them from fisherman beside the road and they always had their heads on. At first I was squeamish about removing them, but I used scissors as you did and it's easy. But the best part of shrimp with heads is.....you know they are fresh.

I like to use beer also but somewhere along the line I have misplaced my seasonings recipe and have been just throwing some different things in there, so I'm copying yours down and putting in a safe place this time. Thanks.
Sam

Puna said...

Mary this looks scrumptuous.

noble pig said...

When I do my low country feast I buy shrimp with the heads on...it's authentic looking, I love it.

Unknown said...

Another lovely shot that looks delicious too!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

How can something that tastes so good be so creepy looking before hand? Thanks for visiting my blog & leaving me a comment.

2 Dogs said...

I would love to try this. Hubby would like it too.

Katy ~ said...

A different kind of spice mix for shrimp. I would like to try this.

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

I think I should give this recipe a try.. I love shrimps.. thanks for sharing and Happy PS!

Regina said...

Another yummy one!
Happy weekend.

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Mary!
Happy Pink Saturday sweetie. How much pinker can you get than shrimp. These just look wonderful. I love the recipe and the spice blend will be delightful. Thanks so much for sharing. As always sweetie, another wonderful post. You never let us down. Please stop by and say hi. I so love it when you do. Country hugs, Sherry

Gypsy Lala said...

Thank you for sharing. I am not good in cooking but enjoy very much reading your post.
Happy weekend, visit your link here.

Anonymous said...

they look delicious wonder if i can get all the ingredients over here in the UK have a fab pink saturday

Anonymous said...

Not quite a fan of spicy food (maybe not too spicy). Oh but I like shrimp's meat. They're delicious! :-)

Happy Pink Saturday!

Li

KathyB. said...

Boy, now I am hungry! My husband is the foodie in the family and I think I am going to point him in your direction, he would love to prepare this!

melissa said...

Perfect post for Pink Saturday - Delish!
Also, I just added your blog to my Pink Saturday post as one I'd like to share with others :)
Have a wonderful weekend ..

Mary said...

I'm smacking my lips already - and it's so early in the morning! Love shrimp in anything (I'm a non meat eater) but having them fresh is the best way. Perhaps I'll head to the NC coast this long weekend and scoop some up to try your recipe!!

Thanks for sharing, and for stopping by. Happy PS and weekend.

Mary - ACROSS THE POND

Jil~Say It With Roses said...

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!
Shrimp cooked right is my favorite of all!!!
I have copied down your recipe and thank you for sharing it!
Jil

~*~Magpie's Nest said...

aren't they just gorgeous and tempting....I do enjoy shrimp
we had Maryland crabs last night, something we haven't done in ages!
~*Happy Pink Saturday*~

Mary Bergfeld said...

Melissa, thank you so much for doing that. I'm most appreciative.

Nancy said...

Oh, yum! The seasoning sounds like what my sister uses in New Orleans for a crawfish boil. Happy Pink Saturday!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

This is a brilliant pink post! We love shrimp in our house, and I have to admit that I have never cooked them with the heads on...but maybe it is time to give it a try. Thank you for the recipe.

caren said...

Wow! Wish I liked shrimp - I know I'm a little weird! I'm sure your recipe is the best. Happy Pink Saturday!

Eileen said...

What a great Pink Saturday post. I love shrimp and this recipe looks delicious. Your blog is wonderful - everything looks and sounds so good!

L'Chicken said...

What lucky company you have at your place! Your recipes and ideas are completely drool-worthy (and your grandbabies are adorable). I'm totally seeking out shrimp for lunch now-- YUM!

Vicki said...

Hello, Mary,
Mmmm. . .those shrimp are making my mouth water! Delicious! Thanks for telling how to prepare them, too. Have a great weekend. Vicki

Seams to Sew and Quilt said...

Oh my goodness that lools so good. I have been having a hankering for shimp and now even more. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.
Vera

Just Me said...

Mmmm....messy meals are the best! My mouth waters! Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful Saturday.
Hugs and Glitter.
Patti

Char said...

The color is perfect and the recipe looks delis, Happy Pink Saturday, Char

Tara said...

These look delicious. I didn't know shrimp could look so beautiful! They are very photogenic! Happy Pink Saturday and have a great weekend!

Catharina Maria said...

An other yummy pink post The color is perfect and the recipe looks delis .
love from the Netherlands Rini

theUngourmet said...

Those shrimp are staring at me! :D

What a great recipe! I love the seasoning you've put together!

LV said...

After seeing your great post, I am going to have lunch. This really looks good. I love shrimp. Thanks for your nice comment.

Unknown said...

Uhm ... lot of shrimps, me encantan. Happy Pink Saturday!!!

The Old Parsonage said...

I'm headed to picnic Monday and thanks to you, now know what I'm bringing!!


Thanks for stopping by The Old Parsonage, I love company!

Enjoy
Leann

♥ Liz ♥ said...

Wow your recipes sound mouthwatering. Thank you for sharing them (even if I don't know what half the ingredients are!!!) I might need to google some for the British version LOL.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and say hello :)

Tracey said...

Shrimp is one of my favorite dishes! These look delicious!!

Mary said...

I love shrimp, but I think I'll pass on the heads! I like the fact that they are fresh that way, but someone else would have to remove them for me first. I'm going to use your recipe for labor day...thanks so much for sharing!
Have a wonderful week-end!

Mary

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

A feast for the eyes and the tummy, many thanks.

Maria Berg said...

The Tomato choclate was for sale- but very expensive so I didi not by it because I think I did not like it.

Yes shrimps are messy to eat, good with the bowl of water, MB

Sara Chapman in Seattle, USA said...

What a great entry for Pink Saturday. Pretty and yummy, too!

Jaynie said...

I'm envious. Living in Indiana I can't get fresh seafood like this. It looks delicious.

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

YUMMO! You know I love shrimp any way! Your seasoning sounds great.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary! I have a little surprise for you on my blog: http://singinghorse.vox.com. When it is convenient, please check it out. Thanks!

Rebecca @ Belle Blog said...

Hello, thanks for visiting my blog so I could find your yummy blog. Everything looks so delicious I want to go eat or cook or something right now. Except I'm already stuffed...but I don't care I'm hungry now.
p.s. Your foodie photos are yummy too!! Great photography.
♥ Rebecca

CC said...

Hi Mary..
As always, your food sounds delicious and looks gorgeous.. Happy Pinks..have a wonderful weekend..

Denise said...

Yum!!! It has been ages since I've had fresh shrimp! Happy Pink Saturday, now I'm hungry!!!

Unknown said...

Oh my, what a yummy post! I love, love, love shrimp and eat them whenever I can . . . I can't get enough . . . kind of like black olives! LOL!!

Thank you so much for sharing the recipes. I'll have to try them out . . . my husband loves spicy!

Happy Pink Saturday!

Blessings,
Teresa

Anonymous said...

ummm...ummm...good....finger lickin' good. I bought some of the best fresh shrimp the other day...just two hours right from the ocean. Happy Pink Belated Saturday. I loved this post.

Ruth said...

Such fantastic recipes! Thanks for stopping by suburbia.

Susie Jefferson said...

How fabulous - perfect PINKness and gorgeous food too! You really are a very talented photographer (note to self: MUST try harder).

So glad you enjoyed my post about posts, lol. Happy Pink Saturday!

LaVerne said...

What a beautiful Pink Saturday post...makes me hungry! I agree about cooking shrimp with the heads on whenever possible...keeps the natural juices and flavors in!!! I have lived along the Texas Gulf coast and near the Mexican border...heads-on was the normal method at home and in Mexican restaurants...I'm copying your seasoning mix...it sounds yummy...we make all our own and use them as gifts so your recipe will get a try out as soon as the local market puts shrimp on special! Thanks for stopping by to visit on Pink Saturday. LaVerne in Texas.

Julie said...

This looks so good... don't forget about my give-away to celebrate my 1 month Blogoversary.... so come on over and check it out... We will picking a winner Late Monday night , and posting the results then...
xoxo
Julie

Deb in Hawaii said...

Mmm...the shrimp look perfect!

Patricia said...

Thanks once again for a great recipe. There is nothing like fresh shrimp. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Happy belated Pink Saturday to you.

Deborah said...

I love shrimp. I would eat them every day if I could. Had some today and yesterday. Your recipe looks delicious too. I need to try it.

Elena said...

Yum - including the Spicy Steamed Shrimp recipe. I like to drink some bubbly with these :)

Charlene said...

Sorry I'm late for Pink Saturday... Labor Day weekend got in the way. That shrimp looks wonderful & the chowder you had for Monday looks yummy too. I may have to try that. Thanks for stopping by Saturday. Have a great week.

Jackie said...

Hi Mary

What is flat Beer.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Jackie, flat beer is beer that been opened, goes warm and loses its bubbles. Some folks use the term stale beer.

Jany Schindler said...

Just now getting around to all the blogs to see the lovely Pink.Oh all of your recipes look tasty. I will be sure to try them.
ENJOY!
~Jany~
Don't forget to "Look in the Nook"

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Hi Mary! I'm just able to make the rounds for the parties last week...sorry!

I love your idea of using shrimp for PInk Saturday....very clever! And the hoecakes sound delicious. I'm making those for brunch soon!

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