Tag: Brunch

Creamy Cheese Grits and Crawfish Boudin: A Perfect Pair

If you’re looking to impress your guests with a dish that perfectly combines rich flavors and sophisticated textures, look no further than this delicious recipe for Crawfish Boudin and Tasso with Creamy Cheese Grits from Louisiana Cookin. This Louisiana-inspired dish brings together the savory taste of crawfish and tasso ham with the creamy comfort of cheese grits, creating a meal that is as satisfying as it is indulgent.

Ingredients for Crawfish Boudin:

  • ½ pound frozen crawfish tails, thawed
  • 1 cup diced tasso
  • 1 cup cooked long-grain white rice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup sliced green onion
  • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream, divided
  • 1 tablespoon Creole mustard
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons brandy, divided
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
  • 1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Garnish: sliced green onion, chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

  1. Prepare the Crawfish Mixture: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the crawfish tails, ¼ cup of the heavy whipping cream, 2 tablespoons of brandy, green onion, 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, and kosher salt until finely chopped and well combined. Transfer this mixture to a medium bowl and stir in the cooked rice and fresh parsley. Allow the mixture to rest for about 15 minutes to let the flavors meld. Next, divide the crawfish mixture into 12 equal portions, each approximately 3 tablespoons. Shape these portions into patties about ½ inch thick.
  2. Cook the Tasso: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced tasso and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are browned and crisp, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the tasso from the skillet and set it aside.
  3. Cook the Patties: Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add half of the crawfish patties and cook until browned, about 2 to 2½ minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and repeat with the remaining oil and patties. Once all patties are cooked, wipe the skillet clean.
  4. Make the Mustard Sauce: In the same skillet, combine the Creole mustard, the remaining ½ cup of heavy whipping cream, the remaining ¼ cup of brandy, and the remaining ½ teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
  5. Serve: Place the crawfish patties over a generous serving of Creamy Cheese Grits. Drizzle the mustard sauce over the top and garnish with sliced green onions and chopped parsley if desired.
  6. To make the Creamy Cheesy Grits, you’ll want to bring 3 cups of water, 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, and 1 tablespoon of kosher salt to a boil over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in the stone-ground grits, ensuring they are fully combined with the liquid. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes.
  7. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook the grits, stirring occasionally, until they become tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Lastly, stir in the crème fraîche and shredded Monterey Jack cheese until the mixture is smooth and the cheese is fully melted.

Crawfish Boudin and Tasso with Creamy Cheese Grits is a true celebration of Southern cuisine, combining bold flavors and comforting textures into a dish that is sure to impress. Whether you’re preparing this for a special occasion or just a delightful family dinner, the rich taste of the crawfish and the creamy smoothness of the cheese grits will leave everyone asking for seconds. Enjoy this dish with any of the suggested sides, and you’ll have a meal that’s both unforgettable and irresistibly delicious.

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A Guide for Consistently Crispy Waffles

While it’s no secret that a stack of waffles is one of the most celebrated breakfast dishes at the Sunday morning table, it’s also known that creating a uniform stack of waffles with a consistent crispy texture is a feat in and of itself. That’s why this guide from Epicurious for how to make crispy waffles, every time is essential for anyone wanting to improve their waffle recipe to be more reliable.

Not just appropriate for breakfast, waffles are a delicious, versatile food dish that is perfect for any time of the day. They’re rich and fluffy, and they can be topped with anything from Nutella to fresh fruit, but one thing that can make or break your waffle experience is how crispy the outside turns out. The following tips and suggestions will provide you with the tools needed to cook your waffles so that they come out consistently crispy each and every time!

There are a few key things that make a good waffle recipe, but one of the first and foremost is ensuring that you’re starting your recipe with a good batter. This means using high-quality flour, like all-purpose or bread flour, and whisking it together with milk and melted butter until it’s smooth. An excellent waffle batter is benefitted from using butter that’s completely melted, slightly hearing your milk or buttermilk, and refraining from whipping your egg whites.

Next, you need to ensure that you are going to be cooking your waffle batter atop a high-heat platform, whether that’s a waffle iron or griddle. Simply stated, if you’re looking for crispy waffles, you’ll want to cook them on high heat. This will help to create a crisp outer shell while still keeping the inside soft and fluffy. Be sure to keep an eye on your waffles as they cook, as they can quickly go from crispy to burnt.

Any waffle lover knows that the key to making perfect waffles is getting the batter just right. Too little and your waffles will be dry and crumbly, too much and they’ll be soggy and undercooked. So how do you know how much batter your waffle maker can take? Here’s a quick guide:

For Belgian-style waffle makers:

– ½ cup batter for a 4-inch round waffle

– ¾ cup batter for a 6-inch round waffle

– 1 cup batter for a 7-inch round or square waffle

For standard waffle makers:

– ½ to ⅔ cup batter for a 4-inch round or square waffle

– ¾ to 1 cup batter for a 6-inch round or square waffle

If you’ve ever had a waffle that’s been overcooked and rubbery, you know the importance of flipping them at just the right time. So how do you know when to flip your waffle? There are a few telltale signs that it’s time to give your waffle a flip. First, take a peek inside the waffle maker. If the batter has spread evenly and is beginning to bubble, it’s ready to be flipped. Another way to tell if your waffle is ready to be flipped is by gently pressing down on the top with a spatula. If the batter springs back up, it needs more time to cook. If it stays indented, it’s time to give it a flip. Once you’ve mastered the art of flipping your waffles at just the right time, you’ll be able to enjoy perfectly crispy waffles every time!

Additional Notes:

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10 Insanely Easy Breakfast Casseroles

You know what they say – breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Make sure to start your day right with one of these super easy breakfast casserole recipes from Delish. They’re so yummy that the entire family will love them!

Everyone loves biscuits and gravy, so this is the perfect dish for the whole family (and extended family when they come into town- just double up the recipe!) The combination of the thick layer of black pepper gravy and fresh, buttery biscuits will have everyone going back for seconds (and thirds!).

This Christmas-morning-worthy bake will have everyone in a holly jolly mood! Even better? You can meal prep this recipe, stick in the fridge, and then pop in the oven while everyone is opening their presents. By the time everyone is done, this bake will be too! You’ll experience crispy, flaky edges meeting a very soft and cheesy middle – utter perfection.

You know slow cookers are amazing for cooking delicious dinners, but did you know they’re equally amazing at cooking breakfast too? Save time (and your sanity) by layering hash browns, bacon, and cheese, smother with whisked eggs, set your timer and you’re good to go. Not a huge fan of bacon? Just replace with chopped ham, cooked Italian sausage, or simply skip out on the protein!

The classic southern breakfast is the perfect comfort food! Turn it into a crowd favorite by using this casserole recipe. Want to save time in the morning? Prep the waffled and chicken the night before, then cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to pop it in the oven.

The best part about this recipe? The sweet Hawaiian rolls! Perfect for a potluck or a holiday party (don’t forget your ugly Christmas sweater!), these ham and cheese sliders turned dessert will have everyone begging you for the recipe.

Everyone loves pull-apart monkey bread, right? Well, now you can make the most of breakfast with this scrambled egg and cheese delicious recipe!

Tater tots for breakfast? Yes, please! This baked to perfection tater tot casserole will have everyone running to the table the minute it comes out of the oven. The whole family will love the crispiness of the tater tots topped with gooey cheese, delicious eggs, and crunchy bacon. And, you guessed it, it’s SUPER easy to make ahead of time. Prep up to two days before you’re going to cook it, then toss in the oven and enjoy!

Because who doesn’t love cinnamon rolls? This recipe has golden cinnamon rolls baked to the perfect crispiness and is then smothered with sweet icing that explodes in your mouth with every bite.

Make your mornings just a little easier with this pancake casserole. As the name states, this is the perfect recipe to make the night before. You just premake the pancakes and custard, pour the custard over the pancakes, cover and refrigerate until the morning. Now all you have left to do is add the streusel and cook!

This recipe has a secret ingredient – sweet Hawaiian bread! This recipe takes on a classic french toast recipe and morphs it into a completely baked (and delicious) version! Chocked full of blueberries and lemon zest and topped with a sweet crumb topping and powdered sugar, this will be a recipe your family will be begging you to make again and again.

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