Cooking crawfish, also known as crayfish, can be a delightful culinary experience, offering a unique and flavorful addition to your next meal. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner in the kitchen, this comprehensive guide will take you through the steps of selecting, cleaning, and preparing crawfish, along with a variety of cooking techniques and recipe ideas. From classic Cajun boils to elegant seafood dishes, discover the secrets to unlocking the irresistible taste of crawfish, ensuring you create a memorable meal that everyone will enjoy.
Here are our top 20 tried and tested recipes!
LOUISIANA CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE
Here in Louisiana, there's nothing better than this classic during crawfish season. This recipe is easy and can be substituted with shrimp when crawfish are out of season. Even better when served with hot garlic French bread! Start cooking the rice first since this is a quick and easy dish.
Provided by Bonnie Lang Turnage-Mortgage O
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Etouffee Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Combine the rice and 6 cups water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until rice is tender and water has been absorbed.
- While the rice is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and saute until transparent. Stir in the garlic, and cook for a minute. Stir in the flour until well blended. Gradually stir in the tomato sauce and remaining 1 cup water, then add the crawfish tails and bring to a simmer. Add the green onions and season with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes over low heat, until the crawfish is cooked but not tough. Serve over hot cooked rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 636.1 calories, Carbohydrate 82.7 g, Cholesterol 142 mg, Fat 24.6 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 19.4 g, SaturatedFat 14.9 g, Sodium 635.2 mg, Sugar 1.8 g
CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE
I like to serve this Cajun sensation when I entertain. Etouffee is typically served with shellfish over rice and is similar to gumbo. This dish has its roots in New Orleans and the bayou country of Louisiana. -Tamra Duncan, Lincoln, Arkansas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large heavy skillet, melt butter; stir in flour. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture is a caramel-colored paste, about 20 minutes. Add the celery, pepper and onions; stir until coated. Add the broth, water, parsley, tomato paste, bay leaf, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil., Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaf. Add crawfish and heat through. Serve with rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 250 calories, Fat 13g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 187mg cholesterol, Sodium 579mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 22g protein.
CRAWFISH BOIL
Crawfish boils are a messy, fun, hands-on, social experience and not as intimidating as one would think. Add as little or as much heat as you like-these little guys get more flavorful the longer they sit. Bring the spicy bold flavors of this Louisiana shellfish to your next backyard gathering. Don't forget the paper towels!
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place the crawfish in a large cooler, cover with cold water and add 1 cup of the salt. Allow the crawfish to purge in the salted water for 5 to 10 minutes. (This Southern tradition is said to remove mud and impurities before cooking.) Strain the crawfish and set aside.
- Fill a 42-quart stockpot fitted with a boil basket halfway with water. Add the crab and crawfish boil seasoning and remaining cup kosher salt. Then add the sausage, corn, onions, lemon juice and rinds, garlic, butter, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Add the potatoes and boil until just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Carefully add the crawfish to the stockpot and cook until they're bright red, about 8 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and add the ice to the stockpot to halt the cooking. Allow the crawfish and other ingredients to sit in the iced water for 25 to 30 minutes (the longer the crawfish sit, the more flavorful they become).
- Pull the crawfish, sausage and vegetables from the water using the boil basket. Serve over newspaper spread out on a table and sprinkle with seafood boil seasoning.
LOUISIANA CRAWFISH BISQUE
My mom and I make this recipe and it always gets rave reviews. It's so creamy and hearty. Being from Louisiana, I am happy to be able to make a crawfish bisque better than any I've ever tried at any restaurant. Serve with French bread and a nice salad.
Provided by jennybird55
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Seafood
Time 35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir chopped onion and green onion in melted butter until softened, about 5 minutes. Add crawfish tails, potato soup, mushroom soup, yellow corn, white corn, and cream cheese; cook and stir until cheese melts completely into mixture. Pour half-and-half into the pot; stir. Season with Creole seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook until hot, about 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 663.4 calories, Carbohydrate 46.7 g, Cholesterol 198.7 mg, Fat 45.3 g, Fiber 4.9 g, Protein 21.5 g, SaturatedFat 26.3 g, Sodium 2313.3 mg, Sugar 4.8 g
EASY CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE
There are hundreds of recipes for Crawfish Etouffee. This is the old fashion way to cook Crawfish Etouffee. Very simple yet very flavorful.
Provided by Luby Luby Luby
Categories Crawfish
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In dutch oven melt butter over medium heat.
- Add onions, bell pepper, celery and garlic.
- Saute vegetables until soft, about 30 to 45 minutes.
- Add Crawfish tails and seasonings.
- Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the mushroom sauce, let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add to crawfish mixture, cover and simmer for 10 more minutes.
- Serve on hot rice.
LOUISIANA CRAWFISH YA-YA PASTA
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly-salted water to a rolling boil; stir in the egg noodles and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through but is still firm to the bite, about 5 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the chopped onion, green pepper, garlic, and parsley. Cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the crawfish tails and Cajun seasoning; simmer 5 minutes longer.
- Pour in the heavy cream, mushrooms, and 1/2 cup of Cheddar cheese; stir until the cheese has melted. Toss the pasta with the crawfish sauce and green onions; sprinkle with the remaining Cheddar cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 741.2 calories, Carbohydrate 51.4 g, Cholesterol 298.3 mg, Fat 45.2 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 33 g, SaturatedFat 26.8 g, Sodium 1104.9 mg, Sugar 2.8 g
CRAWFISH AND CREAM OVER PASTA
Steps:
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Return to the pot and toss with the olive oil and reserved cooking liquid. Cover to keep warm.
- In a large saute pan or skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, Essence, salt, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the white wine and cook over high heat until nearly all evaporated. Add the cream lemon juice and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced. Add the crawfish tails and cook, stirring, to warm through. Add the onions and parsley and cook for 1 minute. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat with the sauce. Cook until the pasta is warmed through, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add 1/2 cup of the cheese.
- Turn out into a serving bowl and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Serve.
- Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
CRAWFISH CORNBREAD
A yummy Cajun twist on Mexican cornbread. Everyone can't quit talking about this recipe. It's sure to become a favorite.
Provided by JERKIE3
Categories Side Dish
Time 1h20m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Stir together cornmeal, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat together the eggs, onion, green pepper, pimentos, vegetable oil, Cheddar cheese, cream-style corn, jalapeno pepper, crawfish tails, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder until the mixture is well combined. Pour the crawfish mixture into the cornmeal mixture, and stir together. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the cornbread is lightly golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Allow to rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 209.4 calories, Carbohydrate 18.6 g, Cholesterol 81.3 mg, Fat 10.8 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 10.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Sodium 533.8 mg, Sugar 2.6 g
CRAWFISH CHOWDER
I serve this chowder Christmas night. Everyone welcomes the change from all of the junk food and turkey. It is very creamy and satisfying. Serve it with cornbread or crusty French bread.
Provided by STKA
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Chowders
Time 45m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute green onions in butter until tender. Remove from pan, and set aside. In the same skillet, melt 1/2 cup of butter, and saute the crawfish for 5 minutes; set aside.
- In a large pot over medium heat, combine potato soup, mushroom soup, corn, and cream cheese. Mix well, and bring to a slow boil. Stir in half-and-half, sauteed green onions, and crawfish. Season with cayenne pepper. Bring to a low boil, and simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 394.6 calories, Carbohydrate 20.6 g, Cholesterol 166.5 mg, Fat 27.5 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 17.7 g, SaturatedFat 15.8 g, Sodium 934.3 mg, Sugar 2.6 g
CRAWFISH FETTUCCINE I
Steps:
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic in butter until onions are tender. Stir in flour, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in crawfish. Cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in the processed cheese, half-and-half, Cajun seasonings, and cayenne pepper. Cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Stir noodles into crawfish mixture; pour into prepared dish, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 489.8 calories, Carbohydrate 48.9 g, Cholesterol 121.5 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 13.1 g, Sodium 681.8 mg, Sugar 5.8 g
CAJUN CRAWFISH AND SHRIMP ETOUFFE
An authentic Louisiana recipe with a rich and spicy fresh tomato based roux with fresh garlic, bell peppers, celery and onions mixed with crawfish and shrimp. A little time consuming but well worth it!! Serve over steamed rice with hushpuppies and/or crackers on the side.
Provided by RHONDA35
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Etouffee Recipes
Time 1h10m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Gradually stir in flour, and stir constantly until the mixture turns 'peanut butter' brown or darker, at least 15 or 20 minutes. I use a large fork with the flat side to the bottom of the pan in a side to side motion. This is your base sauce or 'Roux'. It is very important to stir this constantly. If by chance the roux burns, discard and start over.
- Once the roux is browned, add the onions, garlic, celery and bell pepper to the skillet, and saute for about 5 minutes to soften. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and fish stock, and season with the seafood seasoning. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season the sauce with hot pepper sauce and cayenne pepper (if using), and add the crawfish and shrimp. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 264.2 calories, Carbohydrate 9 g, Cholesterol 195.9 mg, Fat 14 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 24.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 955.5 mg, Sugar 2.5 g
PRUDHOMME'S SHRIMP OR CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE
I love Prudhomme's recipe but sometimes he uses a LOT of fat,I would use half the amount of butter,(or 1/4 lb) called for in this recipe. I make seafood broth by simmering crawfish or shrimp shells,onion,garlic,parsley and anchovy paste and enough water to cover for about an hour.Add a small bottle of clam juice and let it sit...
Provided by Leanne D.
Categories Seafood
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- 1. Peel the shrimp or crawfish and use the shells to make the stock.Combine the onions, celery and bell peppers in a bowl and set aside. Throughly combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over high heat until it begins to smoke, about 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the flour, stirring until smooth. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the roux is dark red-brown, about 3 to 5 minutes, being careful not to let it scorch or splash on your skin. Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the vegetables and 1 tablespoon of the seafood seasoning.with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring until cool, about 5 minutes. Bring 2 cups of the stock to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan over high heat. Add the roux by spoonfuls to the boiling stock, stirring until dissolved between each addition. Reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking almost constantly, until the flour taste is gone, about 2 minutes. If any of the mixture scorches, don't continue to scrape that part of the pan bottom. Remove from the heat and set aside.Melt 1 stick of the butter in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the shrimp or crawfish and the green onions, and sauté, stirring almost constantly, for 1 minute. Add the remaining butter, the stock mixture and the remaining 1 cup stock. Cook, constantly shaking (versus stirring) the pan in a back-and-forth motion, until the butter melts and is mixed into the sauce, about 4 to 6 minutes. Add the remaining seafood seasoning , stir well, and remove from the heat. If the sauce starts to separate, add 2 tablespoons more stock or water and shake the pan until it combines. Serve immediately over the rice.
LOUISIANA CRAWFISH CASSEROLE
I cut this recipe out of a Baton Rouge newspaper about ten years ago. It's fantastic served with garlic bread.
Provided by mailbelle
Categories Crawfish
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Mix all ingredients except cheeses and pour into a large greased casserole.
- Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
- Uncover and sprinkle cheeses over casserole.
- Return to oven and bake for 15 minutes more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 386, Fat 18.2, SaturatedFat 10, Cholesterol 102.1, Sodium 953.1, Carbohydrate 37, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 2.3, Protein 18.6
CRAWFISH CHOWDER
When we go to the beach, there is one resturant that we always go to for their crawfish chowder. I found this recipe online and it's a very close match. I usually leave out the optional shrimp and add in more crawfish tails.
Provided by Dreamgoddess
Categories Chowders
Time 1h
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Cook the bacon in a frying pan; drain on paper towels and crumble when cooled slightly.
- Put the bacon grease in a dutch oven.
- Add in the butter, onions, celery and green onion; saute until soft.
- Add the shrimp stock, corn and potatoes.
- Bring to a boil and then simmer until the potatoes are tender.
- Add in the crawfish (and shrimp is using).
- Simmer until heated through.
- Add in the whipping cream and seasonings.
- Simmer about 10 minutes for the flavors to meld.
- Just before you get ready to serve, add in the butter, cayenne and parsley.
- Ladle into bowls and sprinkle each serving with the crumbled bacon.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 819.8, Fat 53.4, SaturatedFat 30.9, Cholesterol 297.3, Sodium 828.1, Carbohydrate 65.9, Fiber 6.9, Sugar 10.8, Protein 28.1
CRAWFISH AND CORN SOUP
This soup is a staple in several New Orleans restaurants. If you don't like it spicy do not use the Creole seasoning, just add more salt and pepper. Serve with salad and garlic bread. It's easy and delicious!
Provided by LucyF
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Melt butter in a large pot over low heat, and stir in flour. Cook, stirring constantly to make a light roux, about 5 minutes.
- Add onions, and cook until wilted. Pour in milk, creamed corn, whole kernel corn, and cream of potato soup. Season with Creole seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, pepper sauce, and salt. Stir to blend, and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes. Add the crawfish, and cook for 20 more minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 298.2 calories, Carbohydrate 36.2 g, Cholesterol 82 mg, Fat 12.9 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 13.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.5 g, Sodium 749.9 mg, Sugar 9.8 g
CRAWFISH ENCHILADAS
Make and share this Crawfish Enchiladas recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Crawfish
Time 50m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over med-high heat.
- Add in green onions and the next 6 ingredients; stir/sauté 5 minutes or until tender.
- Sprinkle flour over vegetables; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk.
- Cook over med heat for about 8 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly.
- Stir in salt and the next 4 ingredients.
- Remove from heat; let stand 3 minutes.
- Add in cheddar cheese and sour cream, stirring until cheese melts.
- Stir in the crawfish.
- Add 1 inch of water to a medium skillet; bring to a simmer.
- Dip 1 tortilla in water using tongs.
- Spoon 1/4 cup crawfish mixture into center of 1 tortilla; roll tightly and place in a 13x9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
- Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas and 2 3/4 cups crawfish mixture.
- Spread remaining crawfish mixture over tortillas.
- Sprinkle with Monterey jack cheese.
- Cover and bake in a 325°F oven for 10 minutes or until heated thoroughly.
DEEP-SOUTH SHRIMP AND CRAWFISH STEW
Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- To a 1-gallon plastic bag add paprika, ground thyme, salt, ground black pepper, basil, and chili powder, and shake to combine. Add the crawfish and shrimp to the bag in batches and shake to coat. Add the crawfish and shrimp a little at a time to the boiling water so as not to stop the boil, and let cook until pink and the crawfish is curled. As they are cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the crawfish and shrimp to a platter and set aside until they are cool enough to handle. Remove the shells from the crawfish and shrimp and add the shells back to the pot of cooking liquid, and allow to reduce by two-thirds. (The shells of crawfish are removed by cracking the tail with both hands and forcing it back out through the curve of the tail.) Reserve the crawfish and shrimp meat until needed. When reduced, strain the cooking liquid into a bowl.
- For the sauce:
- In another saucepan, combine the garlic, scallions, bay leaf, nutmeg, if using, and butter over medium heat. Add flour to make a roux and allow it to cook until blond, then begin whisking in the milk. Into the bowl of reduced seafood cooking liquid, whisk the Cheddar and Gruyere cheeses. Add this to the milk mixture and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove saucepan from heat, season sauce, to taste, with white pepper, and salt if needed. Remove and discard bay leaf. Immediately put a sheet of plastic wrap on top of the sauce to prevent a skin from forming.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Make a topping by adding bread crumbs, parsley leaves, Parmesan, Cheddar, Cajun seasoning, horseradish, and hard boiled eggs to a small bowl and combining with a wooden spoon.
- Fold the crawfish and shrimp into the sauce a little at a time so you can control the amount of sauce to the amount of seafood. (Do not feel compelled to use all of the sauce.) Spread the mixture into a 3 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with the topping and heat about 5 minutes in the oven until the topping is browned. Serve family style, garnished with parsley sprigs.
CORN CRAB & CRAWFISH BISQUE OR CHOWDER
This recipe is very easy to make and tastes amazing. Don't use Chinese crawfish! If you can't find Louisiana crawfish, substitute with shrimp. This recipe does not have the crawfish boulettes, or stuffed crawfish heads, which is how this is cooked for everyday meals. For special occasions and holidays the boulettes are...
Provided by Donna Graffagnino
Categories Cream Soups
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- 1. Fry bacon, drain & crumble & set aside. Saute onions, 3/4 of the green onions, bell pepper and celery in the bacon grease (or butter). When onions are clear stir in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- 2. Over medium heat add flour and make a light roux, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes, or until the roux just starts to slightly darken. Add chicken stock, milk and heavy cream then simmer until desired consistency.
- 3. Add corn, crawfish, crabmeat, sherry, and worchestershire sauce. Stir well and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Season with salt, pepper to taste.
- 4. Serve in individual bowls and garnish with bacon crumbles and reserved green onions. Enjoy!
- 5. *NOTES: Remember - if you can't get Crawfish, use Shrimp instead. Fresh cut corn makes this recipe even better. Use about 2 cups of fresh corn, with the milk from the cob. Hold the shucked corn over a bundt pan and just cut the corn from the cob. Go back over the cob with the dull side of the knife blade to get the extra milk. All of it will fall into the bundt pan for easy clean-up and transfer to your pot. *CHOWDER: Cook 2 lbs. peeled and diced russet potatoes and 1 Tbsp. salt in saucepan, in milk just enough to cover potatoes, then set aside. Coarsley smash potatoes leaving small chunks and add to pot along with the chicken broth, milk and cream. Follow remaining directions through the end of the recipe.
COURTNEY'S CRAWFISH CHOWDER
A chunky and creamy crawfish soup with a Cajun kick!
Provided by Courtney Robertson Young
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Chowders
Time 55m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place potatoes, onion, celery, 1/4 cup butter, bay leaves, and thyme in a large saucepan with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Melt remaining 1/2 cup butter over medium-low heat. Whisk flour into melted butter for 2 minutes; slowly whisk half-and-half into flour mixture and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Whisk continuously to prevent boiling until mixture is thickened. Stir in potato mixture and crawfish tails; cook, stirring constantly, until heated through, about 5 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 328.4 calories, Carbohydrate 17 g, Cholesterol 107.7 mg, Fat 25.5 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 9.1 g, SaturatedFat 15.8 g, Sodium 830.1 mg, Sugar 1.3 g
CRAWFISH ÉTOUFFéE
This recipe for étouffée, which is the French word for "smothered," comes from Karlos Knott of Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville, La. This is "pretty close to a traditional Cajun crawfish étouffée," said Mr. Knott. "If you substitute a green bell pepper for the chile and omit the dried thyme, you would be cooking one exactly like my grandmother used to make. Some people like to stir in the juice from half of a lemon into the pan just prior to serving." Look for precooked Louisiana crawfish tails in 1-pound packages in your fishmonger's freezer section. Though according to Mr. Knott, who gets his crawfish from the family pond behind his brewery, the best tasting version is made with leftovers from a crawfish boil - that way you have lots of leftover crawfish fat.
Provided by The New York Times
Categories dinner, seafood, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Make the étouffée: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions, poblano chile, celery and garlic and cook until softened and translucent, about 8 minutes or so.
- Lower the heat and add 1 teaspoon salt, the black pepper, the thyme and the cayenne pepper. Place the thawed crawfish meat in a bowl and set it aside in the refrigerator; use your fingers to squeeze any fat or liquid you can from their packages into the pot. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
- Add thawed crawfish tails and green onions to the pot and cook for 10 minutes, or until crawfish are tightly curled. Add parsley and cook 5 minutes more.
- While the vegetables simmer, prepare the rice: Place all ingredients in a saucepan with 3 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Stir, then turn the heat down to very low and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes, then take the pot off the heat. Let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Taste the étouffée and add salt as needed. Serve over the rice.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 678, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 57 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 30 grams, SaturatedFat 22 grams, Sodium 750 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 1 gram
Tips:
- Choose the freshest crawfish possible. Look for crawfish that are lively and have a bright red color.
- Purge the crawfish before cooking. This will help to remove any mud or grit from the crawfish.
- Use a large pot when cooking crawfish. You want to make sure that the crawfish have enough room to move around and cook evenly.
- Season the crawfish well. Crawfish can handle a lot of seasoning, so don't be afraid to add your favorite spices and herbs.
- Cook the crawfish until they are bright red and the meat is opaque. Overcooked crawfish will be tough and chewy.
- Serve the crawfish immediately with your favorite sides. Crawfish are best enjoyed hot and fresh.
Conclusion:
Crawfish are a delicious and versatile seafood that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you are boiling them, frying them, or grilling them, there is sure to be a crawfish recipe that you will love. So next time you are looking for a seafood feast, be sure to give crawfish a try!
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