SCOUT EXECUTIVE'S MINUTE

Dear Fellow Scouters:

Based on the Northwest News survey being conducted many of you are requesting that we have recipes that could be used easily by Scouts on a campout.Here's my own recipe that has been a real crowd pleaser at the office as well as many a Southern Region Troop campout.It's called a "Low Country Boil" --- very popular in the coastal areas adjoining the Atlantic Ocean in Georgia and the Carolinas, but could just as easily become a Midwest favorite.It's also known as "Frogmore Stew."

Find the largest pot you have --- 30 quarts probably.Start with fresh water filling about half the pot and place on a medium heat.Add one bag of Old Bay seasoning, 2 lemons cut in half with cloves spiked into the lemons, some black pepper, a Bay leaf or two, and a dash of Tabasco sauce --- maybe a little cayenne pepper for those who are more adventuresome on spices.Turn up the heat and get the water to a boil.Then add 12 golden or red potatoes (cut into halves or not larger than half the size of your fist), add kielbasa sausage cut into four inch long pieces, a bag of baby carrots, and then add four Vidalia onions cut in half.Cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes.Add 6 ears of yellow corn split in half.Cook for another 10 minutes.Add in 3 pounds of fresh or frozen shrimp and cook for another 3 minutes.Stir it all up to blend all of the food elements and spices throughout the preparation and cooking time.Drain water.Dump food and spices onto a picnic table covered with today's newspaper into one large pile.Have saltine crackers and cocktail sauce available along with plenty of sweet iced tea.Serves 8 to 10 people.For variety, add some crab legs at the same time the shrimp is added.No utensils required --- it's all finger food plus an easy clean-up.It takes about an hour from start to finish, but well worth the time.Start peeling the shrimp and enjoy!

You will have provided your Scouts with a real treat for a meal, gotten them all involved watching a great one pot meal, and introduced them to something they have probably never had before, but could replicate at home with their parents.Isn't that what Scouting's about?Trying new experiences, learning something, and sharing with others...

Best regards,
Stephen J. Taylor, CFRE
Scout Executive
staylor@bsamail.org