Best 2 Stuffed Mirliton Recipes
Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Louisiana with stuffed mirliton, a delightful dish that embodies the essence of Cajun cuisine. These tender, green Chayote squash, also known as vegetable pears, are carefully hollowed out and filled with a savory, aromatic mixture of seasoned ground beef, rice, onions, bell peppers, and the holy trinity of Cajun cooking: celery, green onions, and bell peppers. The stuffed mirlitons are then lovingly baked in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This article presents a collection of stuffed mirliton recipes, each with a unique twist to cater to diverse tastes and preferences.
The "Classic Stuffed Mirliton" recipe stays true to the traditional flavors of Louisiana, using a combination of ground beef, rice, and the holy trinity as the filling. For those seeking a vegetarian option, the "Vegetarian Stuffed Mirliton" recipe offers a delicious filling made with hearty lentils, aromatic mushrooms, and a medley of vegetables. Seafood lovers will delight in the "Seafood Stuffed Mirliton" recipe, which features a succulent filling of shrimp, crab, and fish, enveloped in a creamy sauce. And for those with a taste for bold flavors, the "Spicy Stuffed Mirliton" recipe incorporates a zesty blend of spices, including cayenne pepper and paprika, to create a dish that packs a flavorful punch.
SHRIMP-STUFFED MIRLITON
Mirliton -- also known as chayote -- is a light green, slightly pear-shaped squash that's a staple in Louisiana. This crab and shrimp-stuffed version is a dish often found in restaurants. Go to a specialty supermarket to hunt down the squash and celebrate your next holiday New Orleans style.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h15m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Put the mirliton halves cut-side down in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add 1 cup of water, cover tightly with foil and bake until soft, cooked through and easily poked with a fork, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle, about 20 minutes. (Leave the oven on.) Scoop out the pulp--making sure to leave a 1/4-inch border all around--then chop the pulp and reserve. Discard the water from the baking dish and return the scooped-out mirliton halves cut-side down.
- Meanwhile, melt 6 tablespoons of the butter with the Cajun seasoning in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the celery, garlic, bell pepper, onion and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and just begin to brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the sausage, hot sauce and tomatoes and cook, stirring, until the sausage is warmed through and the tomatoes start to release their juices, about 3 minutes. Add the crab, shrimp and reserved mirliton pulp and continue cooking until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Microwave the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small microwave-safe dish until melted, about 30 seconds. Add the breadcrumbs and parsley and stir until well combined.
- Turn each mirliton half over so the cut side is facing up. Stuff each with about 1/2 cup of the crab and shrimp mixture--it will seem like a lot, but that's OK. Sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture and bake until the shrimp are cooked through and the breadcrumbs turn a deep golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve with additional hot sauce if desired.
SEAFOOD-STUFFED MIRLITON/CHAYOTE
A fairly simple and very authentic Creole recipe from New Orleans that I ate at the late, great Ugelsich's restaurant. (They prepared it with eggplant rather than chayote -- they're equally delicious.) Use crab meat or shrimp or a mixture of both. Two chayote halves are a good light entree, or one half is right for a side dish.
Provided by fluffernutter
Categories Crab
Time 1h5m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Steam or boil the mirlitons until the flesh is just tender -- try not to overcook or the shell will fall apart. (Seven minutes in the microwave, 10 minutes in salted boiling water on the stovetop.) Cool slightly and scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Set the flesh aside.
- Saute the onion, garlic, celery and parsley in the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes until very tender, adding chicken broth if the vegetables become dry and begin to stick. Add the squash and mash with a potato masher. Cook until squash liquid evaporates.
- Stir in the shrimp and crabmeat and cook until most shrimp are pink, about 2 minutes. Add enough bread crumbs to absorb any liquid in the mixture. Fill the mirliton shells with the mixture. Sprinkle with additional crumbs and dot generously with butter.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until topping is crisp and golden.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 254.2, Fat 13.5, SaturatedFat 6.2, Cholesterol 160.3, Sodium 983.6, Carbohydrate 11.3, Fiber 3.4, Sugar 4, Protein 22.6
Tips:
- Choose the right mirlitons: Look for small, firm, and green mirlitons. Avoid those that are too large, soft, or have brown spots.
- Prepare the mirlitons properly: Cut the mirlitons in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and pulp. Then, parboil the mirlitons for 5-7 minutes to soften them.
- Make a flavorful stuffing: The stuffing is what makes stuffed mirlitons so delicious. Be sure to use a variety of ingredients, such as ground beef, pork, or chicken, as well as vegetables, herbs, and spices.
- Stuff the mirlitons tightly: Once you have made the stuffing, stuff the mirlitons tightly. This will help to keep the stuffing in place during baking.
- Bake the stuffed mirlitons until golden brown: Bake the stuffed mirlitons in a preheated oven until they are golden brown and the stuffing is cooked through. This usually takes about 30-45 minutes.
- Serve the stuffed mirlitons hot: Stuffed mirlitons are best served hot. You can garnish them with parsley, cilantro, or chopped green onions.
Conclusion:
Stuffed mirlitons are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They are also a great way to use up leftover meat and vegetables. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make this dish at home. So next time you are looking for something new and exciting to try, give stuffed mirlitons a try. You won't be disappointed!
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