Lucy Buffett

If you need any reason to check out Lucy Buffett's new cookbook, then National Shrimp Day would be it! Fans of Gulf Coast specialties, fruity libations, and flavor-rich dishes won't want to miss out on the recipes featured in Lucy Buffett's newest cookbook, GUMBO LOVE. From starters and snacks to deep friend southern favorites to desserts and cocktails you'll be able to pretend you are on the Gulf Coast no matter where you live.

I shared recipes from Buffett's previous cookbook LULU'S KITCHEN last summer and am just as excited for this one. This cookbook is thicker than her previous one and the photos shared throughout the pages make me want to jump in the car and revisit our favorite Gulf Coast spots. Any photo that has Lucy Buffett in it shows the happiness oozing out of her. There is no doubt that life is good in the Gulf. What I love about Buffett's cookbooks is she shares her heart along with her recipes. In each chapter, she shares stories or traditions to give you a bit of background on the recipes she offers. I love that she begins the cookbook with dessert. Buffet states that she is a "lifetime rule breaker...and chooses her rebellions more wisely - like having dessert first." That is my kind of philosophy on life! There are so many recipes I can't wait to try, I'll be working my way through this cookbook all summer. Some of the recipes I can't wait to try include:

Lazy V Chocolate Fudge Cake (her mother's recipe)
Easy-Peasy Chocolate Sauce (Will it be as good as MY mom's recipe?)
Bad Girl Buffalo wings
Black Bean & Corn Salad Dip
Trout Amandine
Daddy's Fried Chicken
Watermelon and Feta Cheese Salad
Hurricane Cocktail
Plus all of her favorite sauces, seasonings, dressings, and tips for cooking or frying seafood

This cookbook is making a permanent place on my cookbook shelf as it is just full of amazing dishes and stories that will make me laugh. I'm thrilled to share one of her recipes with you. Since it's National Shrimp Day, this shrimp recipe is perfect for celebrating shrimp day or really any special day in your house!

SPICY SHRIMP CEVICHE

SERVES 8

INGREDIENTS
2 pounds poached wild-caught Gulf shrimp (recipe follows)
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
½ cup finely chopped celery
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
¾ cup peeled, seeded, and chopped cucumber
1 teaspoon finely chopped seeded jalapeño
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus ¼ cup for serving, if desired
Juice of 5 limes (about 1 cup)
Juice of 2 lemons (about ½ cup)
Juice of 1 orange (about ½ cup)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon white pepper
½ teaspoon sugar
1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced (optional)
2 limes, quartered (optional)

METHOD
1. Chop the shrimp into thirds or bite-size pieces, or leave them whole if you prefer, and place in a large bowl.
2. Add the red onion, celery, tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeño, garlic, ginger, cilantro,
lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, olive oil, salt, white pepper, and sugar and stir well.
3. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate overnight. While the mixture marinates, occasionally turn the container to evenly coat the shrimp in the liquid.
4. Transfer the shrimp and liquid to a glass bowl to serve or divide among eight martini glasses. If desired, garnish with avocado, cilantro, and lime.

POACHED SHRIMP

MAKES 2 POUNDS SHRIMP

I USE THIS method to cook shrimp that have been peeled. It takes only a few
minutes, so be careful not to overcook the shrimp. Poaching lets them absorb the
flavors from the poaching liquid, which is called court bouillon in fancy French
cooking and typically uses wine. Staying in step with my beloved Gulf Coastal
Caribbean and Mexican influences, I use tequila or rum!

INGREDIENTS
2¼ pounds large wild-caught headless Gulf shrimp in the shell
8 cups water
½ cup tequila or rum
1 lemon, sliced into rounds
½ white onion, coarsely chopped
6 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons sea salt
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
4 fresh cilantro sprigs

METHOD
1. Peel and devein the shrimp. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
2. Place the water in a large heavy skillet or saucepan. Add the tequila, lemon, onion, garlic, salt, peppercorns, and cilantro. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Boil for 5 minutes.
3. Reduce the heat until the liquid is simmering. Add the shrimp, cover, and cook for
3 minutes only! Pour the shrimp into a strainer and immediately cover with ice.When the shrimp are cool, remove and discard the lemon rounds, garlic, and cilantro. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.

Excerpted from the book GUMBO LOVE by Lucy Buffett. Copyright © 2017 by Lucy Buffett. Reprinted with permission of Grand Central Life & Style. All rights reserved.… (más)

Lucy Buffett is the sister of the famous Jimmy Buffett, but she has become quite famous in the Gulf Coast area in her own right. After returning home to care for ailing parents, Lucy Buffett surprised herself by becoming a restauranteur and owning LuLu's Sunset Grill. It was a huge success in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and she eventually opened a second location in Destin, Florida. This book is more than a cookbook, but a peek into Lucy's life and her joy of food, friends, family, and most of all, laughter. I'm sad to admit that even though we have been to this same Gulf Coast area a few times, we have never visited her restaurants. But, I can promise we will be checking them out on our next visit.

LULU'S KITCHEN is full of Southern and Gulf Coast dishes you would expect including lots of seafood. But, there are just as many recipes that will remind you of those family dinners around the table full of delicious home cooking. For fans of the south, there is a whole section on grits recipes and for all the Buffett fans, there is a section on Specialty Drinks. In fact, I'm hoping to enjoy a tall glass of LuLu's Rum Punch this weekend!

Buffett offers stories and anecdotes throughout the book giving readers a peek into her journey of becoming a chef and business owner. She offers "Ten Things I Absolutely Know About Cooking" including a requirement to like cooking, to keep it all casual, to listen to music while cooking and most importantly, to never cook shrimp for more than three minutes. Even though I didn't try her shrimp recipe, it certainly looks delicious.

The recipes are simple and easy to create right in your own home with ingredients easy to find in your local store. I found several I'm anxious to try from the Mahi Mahi Tacos to Barq's Root Beer Chocolate Cake. But the recipe I chose to make for my family was the Meatloaf Sandwich. This is a recipe you can make ahead and serve later that evening or even the next day to your family. It's filling and the leftovers are even better.

This cookbook is full of recipes to fit every taste pallet. Buffet even includes a section of her essentials. These essentials include recipes for seasonings, dressings, and stocks. There are party specific groupings to host your own theme dinner, birthday party, or summer picnic. The personal stories that Buffett shares will make you laugh and will encourage you to visit the beautiful Gulf Coast region.

LULU'S KITCHEN is full of amazing photographs that will make your mouth water and have you marking up the pages to try all the recipes. Looking at this cookbook will remind you to bring joy to your cooking and laughter to your table.… (más)