Smoked Shrimp Boudin Food

LOUISIANA BOUDIN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Chop the meats, liver and fat into chunks that will fit in the grinder. Mix the meats, liver and fat with the onion, celery, poblano peppers and garlic, then the salt, curing salt (if using) and either the Cajun seasonings or the spice mix you made from this recipe. Put it all in a lidded container and set in the fridge at least an hour, and up to a day.
• Put the contents of the container into a large pot and pour in enough water to cover everything by an inch or two. Bring to a simmer and cook gently until everything is tender, at least 90 minutes and up to 3 hours. Strain the cooking liquid (you'll need it later) and spread the meat, fat and veggies out on a sheet pan to cool.
• When everything is cool enough to handle, grind it through the coarse die (6.5 mm) on your grinder. You can also hand chop everything.
• Put your meat mix into a large bowl and add the cooked rice, parsley and green onions. Mix well, and add up to 4 cups of the reserved cooking liquid. Mix this for 3 to 5 minutes so you make a more cohesive mixture to stuff into a casing. You now have boudin.
• You can just shape the mixture into balls and fry them (they're awesome), or use your boudin as stuffing for something else, like a turkey. Or you can case it. Stuff the boudin into hog casings, and while you're doing it, get a large pot of salted water hot -- not simmering, just steaming. You want the water to be about 165ºF to 170ºF. Poach the links for 10 minutes, then serve. If you are not serving them right away, no need to poach the links yet.
• Boudin does not keep well, so eat it all within a couple days. It does freeze reasonably well, however.

GARLIC BUTTER SMOKED SHRIMP

Steps:

• Place shrimp in a resealable plastic bag. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and drizzle with olive oil. Toss shrimp around in the bag to evenly distribute seasoning. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat a smoker to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Add wood chips according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Place butter in a microwave-safe dish and cook on high until completely melted, 20 to 30 seconds. Stir in lemon peel, garlic, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
• Arrange shrimp in even rows in a 8x10-inch aluminum pan. Place thyme sprigs between each row. Drizzle butter mixture over shrimp.
• Place in the preheated smoker and cook shrimp until firm and orange-pink in color, about 30 minutes. The internal temperature should be 120 degrees F (49 degrees C), about 30 minutes. Do not overcook as the shrimp will become rubbery. Serve immediately.

BOWL SMOKED SHRIMP

Steps:

• Place the wood chips into a bowl and cover with cool water. Set aside and allow to soak for 1 hour.
• In the meantime, place the salt, sugar, water and red pepper flakes into an electric kettle and heat just until the salt and sugar have dissolved. Turn the kettle off and add the ice. Stir until the brine has cooled. Place the shrimp into a 1-gallon ziptop bag and pour over the brine. Place in a container and set in the refrigerator until the wood chips are done soaking, approximately 45 more minutes.
• While the shrimp are brining, heat about 2 quarts of charcoal in a chimney starter until the coals are covered with a white ash.
• After the chips are done soaking, drain them and set aside. Drain the shrimp in a colander and thread on 4 to 6 rounded skewers.
• Carefully transfer the charcoal to a large, 18-inch round, stainless steel bowl. Cover the charcoal with the wood chips. Lay the skewered shrimp directly atop the chips making sure that the shrimp do not come in direct contact with the charcoal and that the shrimp are in 1 layer. Turn another, smaller (13 to 14-inch) metal bowl upside down on top of the shrimp. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked through. Serve warm or chilled.
• In a small bowl whisk together the mustard seed, dry mustard and water.
• Place the mustard and water mixture into a small saucepan and add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Do not allow to boil. Remove from the heat and puree with a handheld blender for 5 to 10 seconds while drizzling with oil, leaving some of the seeds intact if desired. Pour into a glass jar or container, allow to cool, cover and allow to sit in refrigerator overnight before using. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
• Yield: approximately 1 cup

GARLICKY SMOKED SHRIMP

Steps:

• For the bbq sauce: Simmer the apple cider in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, mustard, sugar, Worcestershire, paprika and dry mustard. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 30 minutes.
• For the shrimp: Place the shrimp in a resealable plastic bag. Combine the oil, parsley, sherry, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, garlic and shallots in a spouted measuring cup. Pour the mixture over the shrimp. Seal the bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. Place in the refrigerator and marinate, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Sprinkle the oak sawdust chips over the center of the bottom of the smoker and put the rack in place. Remove the shrimp from the wet mixture, do not dry, and place on the rack. Close the lid of the smoker and turn the heat to medium. Smoke the shrimp until fully cooked and pink in color, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle the shrimp with salt and serve with the BBQ sauce for dipping.