Maryland Shrimp Macaroni Salad

Summer in Maryland means Steamed Crabs, Corn on the Cobb, Steamed Shrimp, and Macaroni Salad. All four of these items use one common ingredient: Old Bay. For those of you not in or near Maryland you may not be familiar with Old Bay. It is a spice mix of many ingredients that combined create a great spicy salt seasoning that is fantastic on the items above as well as chicken, potatoes, and pretty much anything else you would use salt on.

This weekend I am going to my first Crab Feast of the season at a BBQ at my Sisters. Whenever my family gets together everyone brings something and my dish is the families Maryland Shrimp Macaroni Salad. It takes your standard Macaroni Salad and adds Steamed Shrimp with some additional Old Bay for a slightly spicy kick to this decadent version of a classic recipe.

Maryland Shrimp Macaroni Salad: Serves 10 as a side dish

1lb Pasta - I like to use Medium Shells
1lb Shrimp - Shells On
2TB Old Bay
1/2C Water
1/2C Distilled Vinegar
1C - 1-1/4C Hellman's Mayonnaise
1/2C Celery - Diced
1 Large Carrot - Shredded (approx 3/4-1C)
1/2C Cucumber - Diced
1-2TB Onion - Minced (optional)
1/2C Bell Pepper - Diced
2-3tsp Old Bay
1.5tsp Celery Seed

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta until Al Dente, drain and set to the side to cool.

In a large saute pan, or sauce pot, place water, vinegar and 2TB Old Bay and bring to a boil, add shrimp in a single layer (you may need to do this in 2 batches if your pan/pot is not large enough) and cook until no longer translucent. Remove the shrimp from the pan and peel once cool. I like to cut the shrimp into pieces that are similar in length to the shells.

In a large bowl mix all remaining ingredients with the pasta and shrimp once they have cooled off. You do not want to put hot pasta and shrimp in with the mayonnaise as it can melt it. It is okay to mix once everything is warm, but there should be no steam coming from the pasta or shrimp. Make sure to taste the salad and add more Old Bay if you think it needs some more salt or pepper, the beauty of Old Bay is it acts as both.

Refrigerate once mixed and serve chilled. Enjoy this wonderful taste of Maryland at your family get together this summer!

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WW: 10 Points Plus / serving