Sullivan's Island Shrimp Bog Recipe | Cook the Book

Updated August 09, 2018

Shrimp bog with lemon wedge — Caroline Russock

This Sullivan's Island Shrimp Bog from Edible: A Celebration of Local Foods by Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian was one of those recipes that I was drawn to for its name. The name conjured up images of marshy Carolina shores, tall grass, and rice paddies. This evocatively titled recipe captures a region where both shrimp and rice are staples and whose diverse culinary influences season it with flavors that are both unexpected and satisfying.

Based on a pilaf (or pilau, as it's known colloquially), the dish starts with a formidable amount of rendered bacon fat in which onions and rice are sautéed and seasoned. Salt, pepper, and cayenne are pretty much a given, but it's the addition of nutmeg that gives this dish its unique and warm flavor. Chicken stock and diced tomatoes are added to the rice and then simmered to a consistency that brings to mind a wonderfully creamy risotto. When the rice hits that al dente point the bacon is reintroduced and shrimp are stirred in and cooked just through.

When the lid is lifted off, you are left with a lovely and perfectly seasoned pot of shrimp and rice that doesn't need any sort of accompaniment. It's the kind of one-pot meal that can be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd or halved for a hearty dinner for two. It's a dish that's commonly served as part of a breakfast buffet—and that's just how I'll be eating it tomorrow morning.

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Recipe Details

Sullivan's Island Shrimp Bog Recipe | Cook the Book

Prep 5 mins

Cook 50 mins

Total 55 mins

Serves 6 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
1/2 pound sliced bacon, finely chopped
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more if needed
3/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more if needed
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne, plus more if needed
2 1/4 cups chicken broth, plus more if needed
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 pounds medium shrimp (40 count), shelled and deveined
1/4 cup very finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 lemon, cut into 6 wedges

Directions

In a fine-mesh strainer, rinse rice well under cold running water. Drain well; set aside.
In a large heavy Dutch oven or stockpot, cook bacon over medium heat until golden, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined dish; set aside. Pour off and discard all but 3 tablespoons of bacon fat remaining in the pot. Add onions to the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Add drained rice, salt, nutmeg, black pepper, and cayenne and stir for 1 minute.
Stir in broth, tomatoes with liquid, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, cover the pot, reduce heat, and simmer gently for 20 minutes. Stir in cooked bacon and shrimp and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until shrimp is cooked through, adding more broth if rice seems to be drying out, about 10 minutes. Stir bog with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Sprinkle with parsley, garnish with lemon wedges, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
440	Calories
17g	Fat
22g	Carbs
50g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories	440
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g	21%
Saturated Fat 5g	27%
Cholesterol 358mg	119%
Sodium 2442mg	106%
Total Carbohydrate 22g	8%
Dietary Fiber 3g	9%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 50g
Vitamin C 42mg	208%
Calcium 189mg	15%
Iron 2mg	12%
Potassium 759mg	16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.