Lent Calls for Seafood. Do It Up Right!

Lent Calls for Seafood. Do It Up Right!

by Kathy Feist

Bubba John is headed back to his home on the Alabama coast the end of February and he’s taking requests for fresh seafood with him. “Shrimp. Crab. Oysters. King crab legs. Now is the perfect time for requests,” he says.

Those following a Lenten diet of fish on Fridays may want to scramble down to the parking lot next to Martin City Sports Complex at Wornall Rd. and 135 St and pay a visit.  Bubba John (he refuses to go by any other name) will be waiting there in his white truck loaded with a cooler full of seafood. More than likely, he will soon be your friend. And, as he says, “Friends don’t let friends eat imported shrimp.”

In business for the past six years, this Alabama native loves to educate his customers on seafood and how to cook seafood. You will not find small 50 to a pound count (popcorn shrimp) in his cooler imported from Taiwan. What you will find are extra large, Alabama wild gulf shrimp.

(If you can’t make it down to Martin City–and we don’t blame you given the obstacle course on 135th Street–you can call 913-220-5272 or go to www.bubbajohnseafood.com. )

When you buy from Bubba, you will need to know the proper way to prepare seafood. Below Bubba shares his favorite boiled shrimp recipe.

Bubba John’s Perfectly Boiled Fresh Gulf Shrimp

Ingredients:

• 2lbs of Fresh Alabama Gulf Seafood 16-20 Count Extra Jumbo
• 1 Sturdy Boil Pot with Strainer Preferably Slap Ya Mama Seasoning Crab/Shrimp Boil
• 4 Lemons
• 1-Tablespoon Vinegar
• 1-Tablespoon Sea Salt

Remove strainer. Put in sink. Rinse shrimp with cold water. Let shrimp sit in strainer while cutting lemons. Squeeze and throw the lemons along with Slap Ya Mama Seasoning, Vinegar, and Salt into the water that. you’re bringing to a boil . When the water gets to a rolling boil, drop strainer full of shrimp into the pot. Wait for water to return to a boil. Cook 1 minute. Cut heat. Move to side and let stand 15 minutes. If you like less seasoning raise strainer and peel and eat! Drawn (melted) butter is awfully good and cocktail sauce. Remember to give your mama or preparer a gentle slap and hug to show your appreciation for the Perfectly Boiled Fresh Gulf Shrimp!

You can find more recipes on his website at www.bubbajohnseafood.com.