A shrimp boil, deconstructed!

I have wanted to try making a shrimp boil for some time. This week, with the incredibly low prices for sweet corn (13/$4), I decided to give it a try.  Almost any seafood is appropriate for this recipe (adjusted for cooking time). Simply use whatever pleases your palate. 

The recipe was "downsized" for two people, but it can be multiplied to serve any size group. No matter how many you are serving, this is an easy, flavorful, one-pot meal!

Shrimp boil
1 lb. uncooked jumbo shrimp in the shell
2 ears corn, cut into two-four pieces each
6 small red potatoes
2 small red onions, peeled
Chorizo sausage, cut into large chunks
1 TB. Old Bay seasoning
2 TB. butter
1/4 c. melted butter
Optional:  lemons, cut into halves

Fill a medium stockpot half full with water. Stir in the Old Bay seasoning and 2 TB. butter. Bring the water to a boil. Add the potatoes, and boil for five minutes (if necessary, bring the water back to a boil before timing it). Add the onions and sausage, and boil for 15 minutes.   Add the corn and cook for 10 minutes. Add the shrimp and boil for about three minutes, until they turn pink.

Drain the contents of the pot. Pour it into a large bowl, lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper, and pour the melted butter over it. Lightly toss to ensure adequate coverage.  Serve with lemon quarters if desired.

Shrimp boil, deconstructed
1 lb. uncooked jumbo shrimp in the shell

>Health alert: If shrimp or shellfish is a dietary concern, there are many alternatives:  crab, mussels, clams, salmon, or chicken among them. 

2 ears corn, cut into four pieces each

>Health alert:   Corn is restricted on some diets.  If this is a dietary concern, it may be replaced with any hearty vegetable that will withstand boiling.

6 small red potatoes

>Health alert:  Potatoes are restricted on some diets.  If this is a dietary concern, they may be replaced with sweet potatoes or any other hearty vegetable that will withstand boiling (turnips, celery root, rutabagas, parsnips, carrots, etc.) 

2 small red onions

>Health alert:  If onions are a dietary concern, they may be replaced with leeks or garlic, or eliminated.

Chorizo sausage, cut into large chunks

>Fat alert:  Chorizo sausage has a high fat content.  If this is a dietary concern, it may be replaced with a low-fat spicy turkey or chicken sausage

1 TB. Old Bay seasoning
2 TB. butter
1/4 c. melted butter

>Fat alert:  Butter is a fat.  It is used in this recipe to add flavor.  The butter may be eliminated in the stock pot. To "dress" the contents of the pot, use fresh-squeezed lemon juice, parsley, or a fat-free margarine spray. 

>Health alert:  Butter is a dairy product.  If dairy is a dietary concern, any non-dairy alternative may be used, such as margarine or soy butter.

(Follow the instructions above.)