In the realm of classic Southern cuisine, few dishes evoke the spirit of tradition and community quite like the old fashioned crawfish boil. This time-honored tradition, deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the region, brings people together for a feast that celebrates the bounty of freshwater delicacies. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur of Cajun cuisine or a newcomer eager to explore its unique flavors, embarking on a culinary journey to discover the best recipe for an old fashioned crawfish boil is an adventure that promises an unforgettable sensory experience.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CREOLE CRAWFISH BOIL
Provided by Tyler Florence
Categories main-dish
Time 1h25m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Fill a huge stock pot, preferably fitted with a basket insert, with about 4 quarts of water. Keep in mind that when you add the solid ingredients the water level will rise, so don't fill the pot up more than 1/2 way. Squeeze the lemon juice into the water, tossing in the halves too. Add the bay leaves, salt, seasoning, onions, and garlic; bring the broth to a boil over medium-high heat and simmer for 10 minutes. You want a very aromatic broth with plenty of salt and spices; taste it, don't be afraid to make it strong so some of that flavor can penetrate and get absorbed by the potatoes and stuff.
- Add the potatoes to the pot to give them a head start and simmer for 10 minutes. Now add the corn and sausage; cook another 10 minutes, making sure everything stays covered with the liquid. Toss in the crawfish and shut off the heat. Cover the pot and let the crawfish steep in the flavor for 15 minutes. Drain and spread the crawfish, sausage, corn, potatoes, and onions out on a table that's covered with newspaper. Serve with lemons, hot sauce, and plenty of napkins.
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.
CRAWFISH BOIL
Provided by Molly O'Neill
Categories dinner, easy, main course
Time 1h
Yield Four servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until well browned and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Cut into 2-inch pieces and set aside.
- Place water, crab boil, lemon juice, cayenne and salt in a very large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the garlic, onions and potatoes, return to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Toss in the crawfish and the corn. Bring the liquid back to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the sausage. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Drain. To serve, cover a table with newspapers and dump the mixture out onto it or pile it in a large bowl and let guests help themselves.
LOUISIANA CRAWFISH BOIL
What a feast! Invite the family and dig into this messy, yummy boil. Combining crawfish, sausage, corn, mushrooms, potatoes, and artichokes, this is a dish you'll crave over and over. Add other seafood or vegetables to your liking.
Provided by IMANKAY
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Sparkle
Time 1h45m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Fill a very large pot about 1/3 full with water. Add the garlic, bay leaves, dry and liquid crab boil seasonings, salt, pepper, oranges, lemons, artichokes, and potatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes.
- Stir in the corn, onions, mushrooms, and green beans; cook 15 minutes more. Stir in the sausage; cook 5 minutes more. Add the crawfish, return mixture to boil, then simmer until the crawfish shells turn bright red and the tails pull out easily, about 5 minutes. Test for doneness by peeling a crawfish. Be sure not to overcook, or crawfish will become tough.
- Drain well. Serve crawfish hot, Louisiana-style, spread over a picnic table covered with newspapers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 540.5 calories, Carbohydrate 38 g, Cholesterol 285.6 mg, Fat 22 g, Fiber 9.6 g, Protein 51.4 g, SaturatedFat 7.5 g, Sodium 1926.6 mg, Sugar 12.7 g
OLD-FASHIONED CRAWFISH BOIL
Boiling crawfish is an art - something that quickly becomes apparent to anyone who's watched a cook prepare the cooking liquid. This recipe has been modified for ease of preparation at home. Most Cajuns have a strong opinion about what should or should not go into the pot. Use this recipe as a guide and modify it to your own tastes - more vegetables or less, spicier or not. And remember, when live crawfish in the shell are not in season, you may simply substitute shrimp.
Categories Potato Shellfish Mardi Gras Lemon Spice Corn Spring Family Reunion Boil
Yield Makes 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In very large pot over high heat bring water, crab boil, salt, hot sauce, and cayenne pepper to a boil. Add potatoes, onions, corn, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Reduce heat to simmer; cover and cook until vegetables are barely tender, about 10 minutes.
- Squeeze lemons over pot, add lemons and crawfish, and stir to combine. Cover and return mixture to the boil. Cook until shells turn bright red, about 8 minutes. Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Old-Fashioned Crawfish Boil:
- **Get Fresh Crawfish:** Always opt for live, whole crawfish. Look for active and lively crawfish with reddish-brown shells. - **Prepare the Crawfish:** Rinse the crawfish thoroughly in cold water. Remove the loose dirt, debris, and any dead crawfish. - **Make a Robust Seasoning:** Combine seasonings like lemon pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper to create a flavorful seasoning mix. - **Use a Large Pot:** Opt for a large stockpot or crawfish pot to accommodate the crawfish and the seasoning mixture. - **Bring the Seasoning Mixture to a Boil:** Bring the water and seasoning mixture to a rolling boil before adding the crawfish. - **Add the Crawfish in Batches:** Boil the crawfish in batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure even cooking. - **Control the Cooking Time:** Cook the crawfish for 5-7 minutes or until they turn bright red and the meat is firm. - **Serve with Sides:** Offer sides like corn on the cob, potatoes, and sausages to enhance the crawfish boil experience.Conclusion:
Hosting an old-fashioned crawfish boil is a delightful way to gather friends and family for a memorable culinary experience. By following these tips and using a well-tested recipe, you can prepare a flavorful and authentic crawfish boil that will impress your guests. Remember to choose fresh ingredients, prepare the crawfish properly, make a robust seasoning mix, and cook the crawfish in batches to achieve the perfect texture and taste. With careful attention to detail and a bit of practice, you can elevate your crawfish boil from good to exceptional and create a cherished tradition that everyone will look forward to year after year.
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