Louisiana Style BBQ Shrimp Recipe

Louisiana Style BBQ Shrimp Notes

This is a favorite of ours from Louisiana. It's not a "BBQ" in the traditional sense, but herbed shrimp. It's best with shrimp with heads on, but if you can't find them, headless will do.

Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds unpeeled shrimp
• 1 loaf crusty fresh bread, for dipping
• Wet Ingredients:
• 2 sticks real butter
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Dry Herbs:
• 4 bay leaves, crushed to a powder (or 1/4 teaspoon powdered)
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, powdered with the bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1/2-1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Serves / Yields

8 appetizer servings

Preparation Instructions

Combine all the dry herbs and mix well. Simmer wet ingredients for the sauce on the stovetop. Add the dry herbs, stirring for about 6-7 minutes. Use a large enough pot for the shrimp to fit in a single layer.

Add the shrimp and bring to boil. Lower heat, and cook l0 minutes or more, stirring and lifting, till all are pink. Do not overcook.

Turn off heat, cover pan, and let sit to absorb the flavors for about 15 minutes.

If you prefer, you can bake the shrimp in a 400 degree oven until cooked through. Don't overcook them, they just have to be very hot throughout - too much will toughen. The longer they sit in the sauce, they better they become!

Helpful Hints

Serve this with hot, crusty french bread to dip in the sauce, as you peel the shrimp and eat them. You can adjust the amount of cayenne, depending on your taste. Also, ground Chipotle chile pepper is good in this.