The first time I ever experienced the magic of a shrimp boil was during a vacation in New Orleans. The city’s rich food culture is legendary, and this simple yet flavorful meal captured my heart.

R ich and cheesy, shrimp and grits is the comfort food staple I'll welcome all year long. If you've never made grits before, ...

For years, I poached or boiled shrimp for shrimp cocktails, which many recipes call for. It was the same routine: Bring a pot of water to a boil, salt, and add the shrimp. Cook for maybe 5 minutes.