How Martha Stewart Brightens Up The Taste Of Shrimp While They Boil

A cayenne-fused shrimp boil is a lowcountry classic, but boy, does this cooking style carry a risk. Preparation plays a non-negotiable role in achieving that characteristic flavor; falter in the early stages, and you'll face bland, not bold shrimp. Fortunately — in a gesture that will shock absolutely nobody — the legendary chef Martha Stewart has shared a brightening solution: a fragrant broth.

The secret is simple, yet effective. Round up a flavor-imparting trio of lemon, garlic, and onion and add it to the pot of boiling water. In a video on her official YouTube channel, Stewart squeezes two lemons into five quarts of boiling water, tossing in the empty skins for good measure. This zesty base is quickly followed by four cloves of smashed-up garlic and two peeled and halved onions. Whether preparing a festive seafood boil recipe or simply finding ways to add flavor to shrimp for your everyday culinary repertoire, Stewart's broth is an easy method to incorporate. A quick simmer, and the garlic's intensity, umami-forward onion, and sharp acidity of the lemon is ready to roll. It's a real kick-starter.

Anyone battling flavorless boiled shrimp is far from alone. In fact, outside of this Southern tradition, many chefs recommend steaming instead, as boiling can be aggressively taxing on the seafood's texture and flavor. This dish pairs an intense cooking style with a delicate meat; with the wrong preparation, it's a recipe doomed for destruction.

The science behind shrimp's hypersensitivity to boiling comes down to the strength of their protein bundles — or rather, the lack thereof. These shortened fibers are delicately held together, protected by just a thin layer of connective tissue. It's all too easy to accidentally bubble the seafood at leaching temperatures or get distracted and allow it to overboil.

The secret to mastering this classic dish is overcoming the limitations of the cooking style. Unsurprisingly, a proactive approach is key: Authentic boil recipes address flavoring head-on, with powerful and immediate seasoning. Stewart's fragrant broth is one option, but it's not the only choice. Some also suggest adding vinegar to shrimp boils or tossing in seasoning like peppery bay leaves. Who knew that flavored water could be such an upgrade?