July (Charles)

Frogmore Stew or Beaufort Stew or Lowcountry Boil

This recipe serves a crowd.

1/2 lb. shrimp per person
Small new potatoes (about 3 per person)
1/4 lb. kielbasa or andouille sausage per person, cut into 2 inch slices
1 or 2 small ears corn per person (cut in half)
Zatarans shrimp boil or seafood seasoning (Old Bay)

Bring a large amount of water to boil (there shoud be roughly twice the volume of water as the volume of ingredients)
Add packet of Zatarans or sprinkle in an ample amount of seafood seasoning
Add potatoes and boil for 7 minutes
Add sausage and boil for 7 minutes
Add corn and boil for 7 minutes
Add shrimp and cook for 3 minutes (do not overcook, shrimp cooks quicker than you think)
Drain and serve in large bowl or tub or on an outside table covered in newspaper

Gastrography
If you live in Charleston, South Carolina, my hometown for the last 21 years, you most likely have had this delicious multi-named dish. The first thing I think about when I hear Frogmore Stew is the beach, and this meal is usually served whenever there is a family gathering during the summer. Frogmore Stew is best served with sand, salty wind, and summer sweat. While you can cook it on a stove, the best way to prepare this meal is to get a big propane burner and cook the meal on the beach or in the backyard. My Mom’s family has a family reunion every other year down in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and all fifty of us will gather down on the beach on the last night every year and cook up a giant portion of Frogmore Stew. The best way to serve this dish is to just dump it out on a table covered with newspaper. The last time I had this dish, and probably one of the most memorable times was at my Dad’s 50^th birthday party last August. We rented a big party boat for him that picked everyone up at our dock, and we toured around the harbor for three hours drinking at eating the Frogmore Stew that they made on the boat. The night ended with my entire family, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, playing drinking games, such as flip cup, in my parents’ basement. I will never forget the image of my sister and Dad giving each other a high five after Ryan had just chugged a beer and successfully flipped the cup on the first try winning the game for her team. It is events like these that Frogmore Stew inspires.