A low country boil pairs perfectly with a beach wedding reception.
A low country boil is an easy dish to prepare, with only a few main ingredients added to a single cooking pot: corn, potatoes, shrimp and sausage. At an informal reception, family and friends may bring some of the ingredients or assist in the cooking process, creating a pitch-in picnic or beach party atmosphere to celebrate the nuptials. Does this Spark an idea?
Making Ahead vs Preparing On-site
Prepare the meal ahead of time and allow the flavors to infuse with each other, or cook the entire dish on-site at the time of the party. If the ingredients are prepped ahead of time, the dish can be cooked in under an hour. Preparing the boil on-site means it will be fresh and hot. Preparing the dish ahead of time may save you valuable cooking and clean-up time on the day and make it easier for you to prepare enough to serve a large number of guests.
Cook Plenty to go Around
Make multiple batches. Creating more than one boil will not only create a sufficient volume of food for a large reception, but also help you meet the dietary restrictions of guests who may not be able to tolerate ingredients such as shellfish or pork products. Some guests may not have the same taste for spice as others, so you can also vary the degree of heat in each batch.
Make it a Side Dish
If certain ingredients are more expensive or not as readily available or in season in your area, you can serve your low country boil as a side dish. Low country boil will pair well with grilled meats, fruit or vegetable salads, and traditional Southern foods such as cornbread and grits.
Personalize the Recipe
You don't have to stick to the traditional recipe. The simplicity of a low country boil means it serves well as a base for experimentation. You can make the meal your own by adding favorite or regional ingredients. The Coastal Living Magazine website suggests crab, onion and butter as popular additions.
Offer Plenty of Condiments
Offer a variety of sauces and spices on the side so that guests can adjust the heat or flavor of their dishes to fit individual tastes. Hot sauce, cocktail sauce, butter, salt and pepper are just a few of the options you could consider.
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