Shrimp Boil with Spicy Butter Sauce

• Recipe by Quick From Scratch Fish & Shellfish

Shell the shrimp right at the table and then dunk each one into our positively addictive cayenne-spiced sauce. For tamer tastes, serve the shrimp with lemon wedges instead.

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 quarts water
2. 1/4 cup vinegar
3. 1/2 lemon, cut into thin slices
4. 2 cloves garlic, smashed
5. 5 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
6. 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns
7. 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
8. 1 1/4 teaspoons cayenne
9. 4 bay leaves, crumbled
10. 2 pounds large shrimp, in their shells
11. 1/2 pound unsalted butter
12. 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
13. 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions

1. In a large pot, combine the water, vinegar, lemon slices, garlic, Old Bay Seasoning, peppercorns, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, 1/4 teaspoon of the cayenne, and the bay leaves. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Add the shrimp to the pot. Cover and bring back to a boil. Then continue boiling, partially covered, until the shrimp are just done, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain.
3. In a small stainless-steel saucepan, melt the butter. Remove the pan from the heat and add the Worcestershire sauce, the lemon juice, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon cayenne. Divide the sauce among four small bowls. Serve the shrimp with the butter dipping sauce.