Food is important to the Buffett family. Singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett owns or licenses the Margaritaville Cafe and Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurants. And, his sister, Lucy “LuLu” Buffet, has two restaurants, LuLu’s Gulf Shores in Alabama, and LuLu’s Destin, in Florida where she serves more than one million guests each year. Lucy has also been recognized for her tireless work on behalf of sustainability and the environment. Her new book, LuLu’s Kitchen: A Taste of The Gulf Coast Life, celebrates the food she grew up with and loves. Fittingly enough, the book’s preface is written by her brother.

Here are just three recipes from LuLu’s Kitchen: A Taste of The Gulf Coast Good Life (Grand Central Life & Style). Click on the title or book cover to purchase on Amazon. You can find more information on Lucy at www.LucyBuffett.com and you can follow her on Facebook and Twitter

LuLu’s Perfect Peel and Eat Shrimp

Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 ½ – 2 gallons water
1 cup LuLu’s Perfect Pepper Hot Sauce ™
¾ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 ½ cups liquid Zatarain’s ® crab and seafood boil
1 (3 ounce) bag Zatarain’s ® dry crab and seafood boil
5 bay leaves
½ cup LuLu’s Crazy Creola Seasoning ™ (recipe follows)
¼ cup salt
2 – 3 pounds larges headless shrimp with shells

1. Combine all ingredients except shrimp in a large stockpot. Bring to a full rolling boil. Be prepared to have the spices “tickle” the back of your throat. Gesundheit!

2. Add shrimp. Cook for 2 minutes.

3. Turn off heat and cover for 1 minute. Drain shrimp in a colander and place a layer of ice on top to stop cooking process.

4. Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Drain and refrigerate. Serve with my Red Horseradish Sauce.

LuLu’s Crazy Creola Seasoning

Makes ½ cup

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. salt
2 tbsp. granulated garlic
4 tsp. granulated onion
¼ cup paprika
1½ tsp. black pepper
2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tsp. white pepper
½ tsp. dried thyme leaves
½ tsp. dried oregano leaves

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container.

LuLu’s Rum Punch

Makes: 1 drink

Ingredients

1 ounce Captain Morgan ® Original spiced rum
½ ounce Myer’s ® dark rum
½ ounce coconut rum
2 ounces sour mix
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 ounce cranberry juice
Splash of grenadine, optional
Cherry and fresh tropical fruit to garnish

1. Fill a tall glass with ice.

2. Add spiced rum, dark rum, coconut rum and sour mix to glass.

3. Add equal portions of pineapple and cranberry juice.

4. Add a splash of grenadine if you like it a little sweeter.

5. Stir well.

6. Garnish with a cherry and fresh tropical fruit, such as orange, lemon or lime slices, or pineapple wedge.

Top photo credit: Major Colbert

Recipe photo credit: Sara Essex