Looking for recipes for a low country boil

[handmc]

I am looking for recipes for a low country boil for my annual summer party. I feed a large crowd, usually over forty people. Any suggestions for sides or apps would be greatly appreciated.

[Gifted Gourmet]

from the Lodge on Little St. Simon's Island

yet another

I like this one!

[wcmckinney]

Everything you really need for a meal is in the boil (corn, potato, scrimps, etc.) so I don't know that a side is necessary. Besides it might get in the way of pouring the boil onto the table -- if you are one for that sort of flair.

For an appetizer something hackneyed like fried green tomatoes or maybe a take on okra could be good since the boil is not always the greenest dish served.

If you want a fancified version of the boil, I know that Scott Peacock and Edna Lewis's most recent cookbook has a recipe that features tomatoes and red peppers, in addition to the normal boil recipe.

[Lan4Dawg]

the beauty of a "low country boil", like so many other wonderful, traditional, old style dishes, is that there no one receipt is correct. Truth be told there is no receipt. The most important thing is to make certain that the ingredients go in at the proper time or you will wind up w/ a tasteless and over-cooked mush. Use general common sense there. The potatoes are going to take longer to cook than the corn which will take longer to cook than the shellfish, &c.

[petite tête de chou]

In addition to the suggestions above you could add chunks of a firm, white fleshed fish, clams or even crayfish (crawdads). As far as sides go, a variety of breads (sourdough, hearty wheat, cornbread, buttermilk biscuits), lots of icy cold fruit with mint (melons, grapes, etc), a variety of sliced heirloom tomatoes with evoo and basil, green bean or three-bean salad (with bacon?).

Since I consider a boil pretty filling (esp. with bread) you might want go light on the appetizers. Crudites with a variety of dips (get the folks used to eating with their hands ). Or, if you don't include crab in the boil perhaps crab cocktails?

Don't forget the lemon wedges!

[maf]

The only thing I recommend to precede such a meal (which is by its nature intended to be complete) would be an oyster roast.

[therese]

Boiled peanuts make a nice snack before low country boil. You don't have to serve them warm, just room temp (which is pretty warm if you're eating outside in the summer in these parts).