Thanx, Xia! Just got 'Voodoo in the Kitchen" this, to me is the Holy Grail of Cajun food, only because it has some of the recipies that made The Bayou resterant in Bellmore, LI famous.
To thank Xia, and also to shut up Cjurakpt about the “butterknife incident”
(he is soooo jealous) I am sharing their recipe for the best Gumbo you ever tasted, including how to make a roux-which is crucial
So, throw on some Zydeco,open up a bottle of Blackened Voodoo lager, get out your cast iron skillet and," Laissez le Bon Temps Rouler!"
Bayou Seasoning
1/4c Hungarian Paprika
1/4c Cayenne Pepper
1/4c Ground Black Pepper
1/4c Basil leaf
1/2c Oregano
2tsp salt
1/4cWhite Pepper
1 tsp Thyme
In a large bowl, combine all the spices-makes 3 cups-store in sealed container, but keep it handy-once you make this, you’ll be putting it in everything
CAJUN ROUX
3/4c Peanut Oil
1c Flour
1/2c yellow onion-chopped
1/2c celery-chopped coarse
1/4c Green Pepper chopped coarse
1/4tsp Bayou Seasoning
In a cast iron skillet heat the oil over high flame until it starts to lightly smoke. Gradually, add the flour while stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan
Continue cooking for 6-10 minutes, stirring constantly. .until the roux has reached a nice dark brown color.
DO NOT BURN-if black specks appear, you have burned it and throw it out. It will be tooo bitter
Remove pan from flame and add the celerty, onions, pepper, and Bayou Seasoning. Whisk for 2 minutes to insure it doesnt burn
Set aside to cook, stirring every few minutes for half an hour
Put in container and cover-this will keep for a few weeks.
ok, now you’re ready to make,
LOVESICK GUMBO
1/2lb unsalted butter
1c Yellow Onion chopped coarse
1c celery chopped coarse
1c Green Pepper chopped
6 c shrimp stock
1tsp crushed rosemary
1/4c Bayou Seasoning
3 tbs File Powder (this is sassafras)
1lb jumbo shrimp chopped
1lb crawfish tails chunked
1/4 lb snow crabmeat chunked
1 catfish fillet-cubed
2c niblet corn-fresh or frozen
First, make a roux. (see above)
Melt butter in large pot. Add celery onions,pepper and cook for five minutes over a high heat. When the onions turn translucent, add one cup of the shrimp stock and turn the heat to medium. Cook down for another five minutes.
Add the rosemary and bayou seasoning and cook for two minutes/scraping the bottom of the pot well.
Add the file powder and cook for another minute, while scraping the pot.
The file powder will cause the mixture to take on a rather thick stringy texture, but don’t worry-have another beer.
Add one cup of the shrimp stock and stir.
Add the catfish,shrimp, crawfish,crab along with the rest of the stock and the niblet corn.
Turn heat to high.
when liquid comes to a rolling boil, spoon in the roux, while stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot.
lower the heat and simmer for three hours, stirring occaisionally.
Serve in bowl over mounds of rice,
Finishing touch is a dash of dry sherry in each bowl.
Serve with a nice hunk of thick bread on the side-you’ll need it.
Bon Appatit!
Here’s one of my own concoctions-real easy
take any pasta-add vegies to make a prima vera,carrots,yellow squash, shrimp,etc
Mix Bayou seasoning and butter,n garlic in and sprinkle with parmasan-eat.
you can use a bag of frozen vegies too-Rancho Fiesta is great with this