**Crawfish Boulettes: A Delicacy of Louisiana Cuisine**
In the heart of Louisiana's vibrant culinary scene, there exists a treasure called Crawfish Boulettes, a delectable dish that encapsulates the essence of Cajun and Creole flavors. These deep-fried balls of seasoned crawfish meat, expertly blended with aromatic herbs, piquant spices, and a touch of history, offer a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This article presents two distinct recipes for Crawfish Boulettes, each with its unique charm. The first recipe stays true to the traditional methods, using a flavorful combination of crawfish tails, bell peppers, onions, and a blend of herbs and spices. The second recipe takes a slightly more adventurous route, infusing the boulettes with the bold flavors of jalapenos, cayenne pepper, and a hint of Worcestershire sauce. Both recipes promise an unforgettable culinary experience, sure to leave you craving more.
CRAWFISH BISQUE WITH CRAWFISH BOULETTES
Provided by Emeril Lagasse
Categories main-dish
Time 3h5m
Yield 8 servings and 2 1/2 dozen boulettes
Number Of Ingredients 27
Steps:
- For the crawfish stock: Remove the tails from the 5 pounds of boiled crawfish and peel, reserving the tail meat for the bisque and the peelings for the stock. Pinch off the claws and reserve. Put the tail peelings and claws in a stockpot and cover with the water. Bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered for 45 minutes. Drain. You should have about 3 quarts of stock. Let the stock cool.
- For the bisque: Combine the oil and flour in a large cast iron or enameled cast iron Dutch oven over medium heat. Stirring slowly and constantly for 20 to 25 minutes, make a medium brown roux, the color of peanut butter. Add 3 cups of the onions, 1 1/2 cups bell peppers, and 1 1/2 cups celery. Season with salt, pepper, cayenne, and bay leaf. Cook, stirring often, for 6 to 7 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft. Add the reserved crawfish tails. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the crawfish stock and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat, uncovered, for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of the green onions and the parsley.
- For the boulettes: In a food processor with a metal blade, combine the remaining onions, peppers, celery, garlic, 1 pound peeled crawfish tails, bread pieces and egg together. Pulse the mixture a few times to finely chop the mixture. *Do not puree. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and stir in the remaining green onions and parsley. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Shape the mixture into small balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Season the bread crumbs with the Rustic Rub. Roll the balls in the seasoned bread crumbs. When the oil has reached 360 degrees F, deep-fry the boulettes until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove the boulettes from the oil and drain on a paper-lined plate. Season with Rustic Rub. Garnish each soup with a couple of the boulettes.
- Combine all ingredients and store in an air-tight container.
CRAWFISH BOULETTES
Boulettes is French for 'little balls.' These combine the naturally sweet taste of crawfish tails with the Cajun 'Trinity' of onions, bell peppers, and celery, with an extra kick from the Cajun seasoning. They are deep fried until golden brown and delicious. You will love these!
Provided by Chef Bayou
Categories Seafood Shellfish Crawfish
Time 2h5m
Yield 36
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Place the crawfish tails, chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, stale bread, and egg into the bowl of a food processor. Add the salt, black pepper, and 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Cover and pulse until the crayfish mixture is finely chopped. Scrape into a bowl and fold in the parsley and green onions. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
- Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Whisk the bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning together in a bowl; set aside.
- Form the crawfish mixture into 1 tablespoon-size balls and roll in the bread crumbs. Cook in batches in the hot oil until the balls turn golden brown and begin to float, about 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 83.9 calories, Carbohydrate 5.6 g, Cholesterol 18.6 mg, Fat 5.5 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 197.8 mg, Sugar 0.6 g
Tips:
- Prep the Ingredients: Before starting, ensure all ingredients are prepped and measured. This includes chopping vegetables, cleaning and deveining the crawfish, and preparing any herbs or spices.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh, high-quality ingredients will greatly enhance the flavor of your crawfish boulettes. Look for plump and lively crawfish, fresh herbs, and flavorful vegetables.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: When frying the boulettes, avoid overcrowding the pan. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from sticking together.
- Season to Taste: While the recipe provides a starting point for seasoning, taste the crawfish mixture before frying and adjust seasonings as needed. You may need more salt, pepper, or herbs to achieve the desired flavor.
- Serve with Your Favorite Sauce: Serve the crawfish boulettes with your favorite dipping sauce. Options include remoulade, cocktail sauce, or a simple lemon butter sauce.
Conclusion:
Crawfish boulettes are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or main course. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking by adjusting the seasonings and dipping sauce. So next time you have a craving for something flavorful and unique, give these crawfish boulettes a try. You won't be disappointed!
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