Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sea salt, preferably gray salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 (3-ounce) box crab boil spice (recommended: Zatarain's)
- 1/4 cup fennel seeds
- 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
- 6 lemons, halved
- 4 medium artichokes (no need to trim)
- 8 small boiling potatoes
- 2 onions, unpeeled, ends removed
- 5 whole, unpeeled heads of garlic
- 1 cup dry wine
- 2 (1 1/2 pound) lobsters
- 1 dozen fresh clams
- 1 pound jumbo shrimp in the shell
Garnishes:
- Melted unsalted butter
- Sea salt, preferably gray salt
- Fennel Spice Rub, recipe follows
- Hot pepper sauce
Directions
Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. When water is at a full boil, salt generously and then add bay leaves, crab boil seasoning, fennel seeds, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, coriander seeds, and lemons. Return to a boil, add artichokes, and cover. Boil for 10 minutes and then add potatoes and onions; reduce heat to a simmer and return the cover to the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes and then add garlic and wine. Simmer, covered, until artichokes, onions, and potatoes are tender; as they vegetables become tender, remove them to a serving platter (the potatoes should take about 20 to 30 minutes, and then artichokes and onions, about 30 to 40 minutes).
After you have removed all the vegetables, add the lobsters. Cook just until they begin to turn pink, about 3 minutes. Then add the clams; after 30 seconds, add shrimp. Cook until the shrimp turn pink and begin to curl and the clams open fully, about 5 minutes.
Cut the onions in half. Cut the artichokes in half and scoop out and discard the chokes.
Serve the shrimp, potatoes, onions, and artichokes with shallow bowls of melted butter, sea salt, and the Fennel Spice Rub for dipping, and with jars of hot sauce.
Fennel Spice Rub:
This is my favorite spice mixture. There is almost nothing it doesn't taste good on or in. Use it to make spice-encrusted pork ribs, chops, or tenderloin; veal chops; chicken breasts; duck; beef; liver; or eggplant; or add a teaspoon to lentil soup.
1 cup fennel seeds
3 tablespoons coriander seeds
2 tablespoons white peppercorns
3 tablespoons kosher salt
Put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. Watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. When light brown and fragrant, pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. They must be cool before grinding, or they will gum up the blades.
Pour the seeds into a blender and add the salt. Blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.
Photo: Seafood Boil Recipe
















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By kimberly.09_121...
Las Vegas, 68
on September 30, 2009
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I make this meal for every party that I have. It's tastes great and it's so much fun to eat!!!
By miss07_7626384
Apple Valley, MN
on August 11, 2009
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I recently made this recipe for my Uncle who was from LA and he loved it! It took him back to his childhood. It made the entire house smell wonderful! I didn't add as much fennel seed since I'm not a huge fan of it's flavor but the subtle flavor was awesome! We will be making the recipe again!
By annabellaurugua...
miami, FL
on April 21, 2009
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ok so i was so excited to try this recipe with all the great reviews. Anyhow i followed the recipe practically to a T and i did not like the ending taste whatsoever. I felt the broth smelled and tasted too much like licorice if that makes any sense and therefore the seafood tasted licorecy. I think it may have been the fennel seeds and the crab boil. Like i said i though i followed the recipe exactly but maybe i made some sort of error because everyone else seems to have liked it? i will not be making this again.
Read all 17 reviews