Fruit of the Sea

08/01/2013

image from Forrest Gump

The most memorable quote by Bubba, from one of my favorite movies of all time, Forrest Gump...

"Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbeque it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Day's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo, pan-fried, deep-fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That's, that's about it."

Besides the obvious lure of the sea, one of the BEST things about going to the beach is tender, FRESH shrimp.

Yes, this Hoosier gal LOVES her SHRIMP!!! Not the Red Lobster variety (which tastes good enough but doesn't begin to compare...), but the REAL thing that you can only get fresh on the coast.

I like shrimp pretty much any way except cold...I want my shrimp tender and piping hot. But looking at Bubba's list, nearly everything on it makes my mouth water!

One of my favorites... a shrimp burger.

The first time I ordered one, I expected it to be ground-up shrimp shaped like a burger and fried.

Oh, no...we're talking regular hot fried shrimpers piled inside a bun. Add some ketchup and a big crunchy slice of onion, and I'm in shrimp heaven!

And the very best side for shrimp are hushpuppies...dipped in butter, of course!

Karter loves hushpuppies almost as much as his Gramaw does! (Note the BASKET of butter...the only way to eat 'em!)

My cousin Stevie suggested we try out the Icehouse Restaurant, right on Swansboro's waterfront. He said the shrimp and grits are superb and the best he's ever eaten.