Gulf Coast Delight: How to Make Crawfish Cornbread

If you’re seeking a mouthwatering dish that embodies the heart of Southern cuisine, look no further than this recipe for Crawfish Cornbread from LouisianaCookin. Bursting with flavors from the Gulf Coast, this cornbread marries the richness of crawfish with the comforting texture of classic cornbread. It’s a dish that’s perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or as a hearty side to a soulful meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound cooked crawfish tail meat
  • ½ red bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1¾ cups whole milk
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ cup bacon drippings
  • 1¼ cups unsalted butter, divided
  • ¼ cup salted butter, melted
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon plus ½ teaspoon plus 1 pinch salt, divided
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Begin by placing a deep 10-inch cast-iron skillet in your oven. Preheat the oven to a scorching 450°F. This high heat ensures a crisp crust on your cornbread.
  2. Prepare Crawfish: Place your crawfish tails in a colander to drain. Gently squeeze them to remove any excess liquid, which helps prevent a soggy texture in the cornbread.
  3. Cook Vegetables and Crawfish: In a medium skillet, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter over medium-high heat until it starts to foam. Add the chopped red bell pepper, thinly sliced green onions, a pinch of salt, and ground black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bell pepper softens, which should take about 5 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle in ½ teaspoon salt, the ground black pepper, and the crushed red pepper, and cook for an additional 30 seconds, allowing the spices to release their flavors. Stir in the crawfish tails and granulated garlic. Continue cooking until most of the moisture evaporates, roughly another 5 minutes.
  5. Melt Butter: In a small microwave-safe bowl, place 7 tablespoons of unsalted butter and melt it in the microwave on high for about 45 seconds. Set this aside for later use.
  6. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and the remaining tablespoon of salt. Gradually stir in the whole milk and honey, ensuring a smooth mixture. Add the melted unsalted butter and beaten egg, stirring until everything is well combined. Finally, fold in the crawfish mixture, making sure it’s evenly distributed.
  7. Prepare Skillet for Baking: Carefully remove the hot cast-iron skillet from the oven and place it over high heat. Add the bacon drippings and let it cook until it begins to smoke slightly. This step infuses the cornbread with a smoky flavor. Add the remaining ¼ cup of unsalted butter to the skillet, swirling it around to coat the bottom and sides thoroughly.
  8. Bake Cornbread: Pour the batter into the hot skillet, smoothing the top with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Reserve the last tablespoon of unsalted butter for another use. Bake in the preheated oven until the cornbread turns a beautiful golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Once done, carefully turn the cornbread out onto a cutting board. Brush generously with the melted salted butter, cut into pieces, and serve hot.

Side Dish Suggestions:

Crawfish Cornbread is a versatile dish that pairs well with various Southern favorites. Here are some ideas to complete your meal:

  • Collard Greens: A traditional Southern side, collard greens cooked with ham hocks or bacon add a savory depth that complements the cornbread.
  • Fried Catfish: Crispy fried catfish with a squeeze of lemon makes a delightful main course paired with the rich cornbread.
  • Red Beans and Rice: This hearty dish is perfect with the spicy and savory notes of the Crawfish Cornbread.
  • Southern Slaw: A tangy coleslaw can provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, buttery cornbread.

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Elevate Your Appetizer Game with these Delicious Crawfish Rolls

Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Louisiana with this meticulously crafted Crawfish Rolls recipe from Louisiana Cookin. This beloved Southern dish encapsulates the essence of Cajun cuisine, combining tender crawfish tails, crisp vegetables, and zesty remoulade within a warm, buttered bun. Through this recipe, you’ll aim to celebrate the rich tapestry of flavors that define Louisiana’s culinary heritage, inviting you to explore the artistry of Cajun cookingin the comfort of your own kitchen.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Begin by heating a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Add the crawfish tails, allowing them to cook until the liquid has evaporated, approximately 5 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the crawfish to the refrigerator, allowing them to chill for a minimum of 1 hour.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chilled crawfish with sliced celery, creamy mayonnaise, minced red onion, freshly squeezed lemon juice, this bespoke Cajun Seasoning blend, and aromatic celery seed. Gently fold the ingredients together until fully incorporated, creating a luscious filling for our rolls. Refrigerate the mixture until it’s ready to grace your taste buds.
  3. Assemble your Crawfish Rolls with care and precision. Line each buttered and toasted hot dog bun with tender butter lettuce leaves, providing a refreshing contrast to the flavorful filling. Generously scoop approximately ½ cup of the chilled crawfish mixture onto each bun, ensuring every bite is brimming with Louisiana goodness. For a final flourish, garnish with freshly sliced chives, adding a pop of color and flavor to your masterpiece. Serve immediately and watch as your guests marvel at your culinary prowess.
  4. Crafting the Cajun Seasoning: Enhance your culinary prowess with this signature Cajun Seasoning blend. In a small bowl, amalgamate chili powder, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and white pepper. This harmonious blend encapsulates the essence of Cajun cuisine, infusing each bite with an explosion of flavor. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for future culinary endeavors.

Side Dishes:

To complement the bold flavors of these Crawfish Rolls, consider serving them alongside classic Southern sides such as:

Creamy Coleslaw: Indulge in the crisp freshness of these Creamy Coleslaw, a classic Southern side that perfectly balances the richness of the Crawfish Rolls. Shredded cabbage and grated carrot are enveloped in a creamy dressing infused with tangy apple cider vinegar and a touch of sweetness from honey.

Cajun Corn Salad: Transport your taste buds to the bayous of Louisiana with this Cajun Corn Salad, a vibrant medley of flavors that complements the spiciness of the Crawfish Rolls.

Crispy Sweet Potato Fries: Satisfy your cravings for comfort food with these Crispy Sweet Potato Fries, a mouthwatering side dish that pairs perfectly with the bold flavors of the Crawfish Rolls.

In conclusion, this Crawfish Rolls recipe offers a tantalizing journey through the heart of Louisiana cuisine. With each bite, experience the vibrant flavors and soulful essence that define Cajun cooking. Whether shared with loved ones or savored in solitude, this dish promises to elevate any dining experience. So, roll up your sleeves, embrace the spirit of the bayou, and embark on a culinary adventure like no other.

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A Spicy Crawfish Twist on Classic Lasagna

When you think of lasagna, visions of layers upon layers of cheesy, saucy goodness might dance in your head. Now, imagine taking that classic comfort dish to the next level by infusing it with the bold flavors of the bayou. This recipe for Crawfish Lasagna, a creation by the culinary wizard Jason Derouen, also known as The Cajun Ninja, is here to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more, as per this Louisiana Cookin recipe. This dish might not sound as enticing as it truly is, but trust us, once you’ve experienced the symphony of flavors, you’ll be hooked.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Begin your culinary journey by melting a half stick of butter in a large pan over medium-low heat. Let the chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery sauté for a tantalizing 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the finely chopped mushrooms and sauté for another 10 minutes.
  2. Introduce the diced tomatoes into the mix, letting them dance in the pan for an additional 10 minutes. Now, it’s time to add the pièce de résistance – the crawfish tails, minced garlic, and the unforgettable Pi-YAHHHHH!! Seasoning. Allow this flavorful medley to sauté for another 10 minutes.
  3. While your crawfish concoction is reaching perfection, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season it generously with salt and cook your lasagna noodles for 9 minutes. Drain, reserving some pasta water, which will come in handy later to keep the noodles perfectly textured.
  4. Blend the cream cheese into the crawfish mixture until it becomes a velvety masterpiece. Sprinkle in the Parmesan, ensuring an even distribution, and turn off the heat.
  5. In a separate bowl, create a luscious mixture by combining the cream of mushroom soup, fresh parsley, and dried basil. Preheat your oven to a toasty 350°F. Spray the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  6. Prepare for the layering extravaganza! Move the crawfish mixture to one side of the pan, allowing the liquid gold sauce to pool on the other. Use this saucy goodness to coat the bottom of your baking dish. Layer with one-third of the lasagna noodles, one-third of the soup mixture, one-third of the crawfish magic, and one-third of the tantalizing Havarti and mozzarella cheeses. Repeat these layers twice, starting with the noodles.
  7. Slide your creation into the preheated oven and let it bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the sides of the dish are bubbling with anticipation. As the aromas waft through your kitchen, exercise patience. Let your masterpiece cool for 10 minutes before garnishing with a sprinkle of additional seasoning, if desired.
  8. Finally, savor each mouthful of this Spicy Crawfish Extravaganza Lasagna – a culinary experience that transcends the ordinary. Prepare for compliments and inquiries about the recipe; this dish is a showstopper!

As you savor each bite of this Spicy Crawfish Extravaganza Lasagna, let it be a reminder that culinary adventures are boundless, and the joy of creating something extraordinary in the kitchen is a reward in itself. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice cook, this recipe invites you to embrace the spirit of Louisiana and embark on a journey where every bite tells a tale of the bayou. So, gather your ingredients, don your apron, and let the magic of Crawfish Lasagna unfold in your kitchen.

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A Classic Louisiana Recipe – Crawfish Creole

If you’re a fan of Southern cuisine, then chances are you’ve heard about the mouth-watering dish known as crawfish creole. This classic Louisiana recipe is loaded with flavor and spices that will tantalize your taste buds. But don’t be intimidated by its reputation – making this delicious dish at home is actually easier than you might think! Thanks to these few simple steps from a delicious recipe blog from Louisiana Cookin, you’ll know how to create a traditional crawfish creole that’s sure to impress your family and friends. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking.

Crawfish Creole is a delicious and traditional Louisiana dish that can be made in just a few easy steps. The dish is typically made with Crawfish, tomatoes, onions, celery, and green peppers, and is seasoned with various herbs and spices. The dish can be served over rice, by itself, or as a side dish. The exact origins of Crawfish Creole are a bit murky, but the dish is believed to have originated in the city of New Orleans. The city has a long history of culinary innovation, and it is likely that the dish was created by someone who was inspired by the city’s French and Spanish influences. Whatever its origins, Crawfish Creole has become a staple of Louisiana cuisine, and it is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of (preferably fresh) crawfish tails
  • 1 (28-ounce) can of fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
  • Hot cooked rice, to serve
  • ½ cup of chopped yellow onion
  • ½ cup of chopped green bell pepper
  • ¼ cup of chopped celery
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • ¼ cup of unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons of Louisiana hot sauce
  • 2 teaspoons of Creole seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh oregano
  • 2 teaspoons of kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon of dried thyme
  • ¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
  • 1 cup of water
  • Garnish: chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  1. You’ll want to begin this delicious, classic Creole recipe by taking a medium bowl and generously combining your crawfish tails with your Creole seasoning. Mix it well to ensure that the tails are properly seasoned.
  2. Take a large Dutch oven next and melt your butter over medium heat. Once the butter is heated, you’ll want to gradually add your flour and whisk it in until it’s combined. Cook the ingredients while stirring quite frequently until your roux resembles the color of creamy peanut butter. This should take approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Next, add your onion, bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic to your roux. Cook these new ingredients while stirring occasionally until it’s all tender, which should take about 10 minutes. Add your tomatoes, 1 cup of water, salt, hot sauce, oregano, black pepper, thyme, and bay leaves into the pot. Bring everything to a gentle boil over medium heat. Simmer the ingredients while stirring occasionally, until it’s thickened, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. Add your crawfish tails to your vegetable mixture, and stir the ingredients with the crawfish tails until they’re well combined. Cook the ingredients while stirring occasionally until it’s heated through, which should take about 5 to 10 minutes. At this point, discard the bay leaves and stir in your parsley. Serve this dish along with your white rice, and garnish with additional parsley, if desired.

Making crawfish creole can be an easy and enjoyable process. With just a few simple steps, you can create a delicious and traditional Creole dish that the whole family will love. By following these instructions, you’ll have your own homemade Crawfish Creole in no time at all! Don’t forget to experiment with different seasonings, herbs, and vegetables to add extra flavor – there’s something special about making this classic Louisiana meal yourself. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

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Authentic Crawfish Étouffée

When it’s cold, especially in the south, and crawfish is in season, there’s no better dish than authentic Crawfish Étouffée to liven your spirits and warm you up, so get that pot out and prepare to be invigorated by Cajun and Creole cuisine with this recipe from Acadiana Table’s George Graham.

As it’s commonly accepted down south, there are few other absolutely pure expressions of Louisiana cooking than the light roux of a crawfish étouffée with its thickened butter sauce housing swimming crawfish tails over a heavenly pillow of white rice. Known as a “centerpiece dish,” a bowl or heavy plate of crawfish étouffée can truly make-or-break a southern dinner table due to its unique flavor and texture profile that it offers in every freshly-caught, seafood-laden bite.

Various restaurants have crawfish étouffée”remixes” which include the addition of tomato paste, dark roux, or cream of mushroom soup, but in this recipe you’ll find freshly-caught, cajun authenticity in every step, each bite, and from all angels present.

While it’s often accepted to use frozen cooked crawfish tails when the real deal is not in season, perhaps to appease an out-of-season craving for cajun cuisine, it’s always preferred to go with the freshly-picked tail meat, as there simply is no substitute. Some chefs like to save the shells from a crawfish boil and order extra pounds of boiled crawfish to create their own stock. This is due to the fact that besides fresh seafood, there’s also no better substitute than an intense and depth-filled crawfish stock to truly elevate your dish to a higher palette.

The crawfish etouffee recipe’s chef’s note indicates that it’s often considered a best practice to peel your own crawfish, but when found lacking, packaged tail meat is fine as it’s a time-saver. If using pre-packaged, be sure to add a little water to the fat inside in order to get all of the flavor out. Make your crawfish stock at home with leftover heads and shells from past meals. Simply rinse off any seasoning and boil them for 30 minutes and strain. Alternatively, a good shrimp stock can be made using dried shrimp that’s boiled in water and strained.

Ingredients:

1 pound of butter (unsalted)

2 cups of diced, yellow onions

1 cup of diced, green bell pepper

1 cup of diced celery

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 pounds of Louisiana crawfish tail meat

¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups crawfish (or seafood) stock

Kosher salt

Freshly-ground pepper

Hot Sauce

¼ cup flat-leaf parsley (chopped)

1 cup diced green onion tops

6 cups cooked Louisiana long-grain white rice

Recipe:

  1. Place a large skillet over medium heat and melt your unsalted butter; then add the onions, bell pepper and celery (the trinity). Sauté until it’s tender and then add in your garlic. Lower the heat to a simmer and stir your ingredients to combine. Season the mixture with cayenne pepper and add your crawfish tail meat by stirring it into the total combination.
  2. Sprinkle your flour over the mixture and stir it in to incorporate it and thicken it by cooking the four. Add some of your stock and continue stirring until it all begins to thicken. Add more stock until you get a stew-like thickness.
  3. Season it all to taste with salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Let it simmer on the stove for at least 45 minutes, but the longer and lower the heat, the better. Serve over a mound of white rice and garnish with parsley and green onion tops.

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Louisiana Favorite’s: Extra Crawfish Tail Recipes

It is officially spring, feeling like summer. We all know that means one thing; it’s Crawfish time. All of the big pots have started boiling those mud-bugs. Crawfish boils usually end with no leftovers, but sometimes you will get lucky and have some extra. This means endless possibilities for Crawfish recipes. Louisiana Cookin’ recently published a blog with 9 recipes that you can use for those left of tails, here are three of them!

Tomato Crawfish Salad

INGREDIENTS

1 (16-ounce) package of cooked crawfish tails, make sure to rise them and drain them

⅓ cup powdered Tomato Mix

½ cup canola oil

1 teaspoon hot sauce

½ cup thinly sliced celery

1-pint grape tomatoes, they need to be halved

12 pickled okra pods, these need to be halved also

¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon of horseradish, make sure it is already prepared

2 tablespoons of lemon juice, the fresher the better

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1½ teaspoons dry mustard

Grab a medium mixing bowl and mix together the juice, powdered Tomato mix, salt, pepper, hot sauce, and horseradish. You then want to slowly add the oil, while constantly whisking the mixture to make sure it combines nicely. This is what will be used for the dressing.

In a different mixing bowl, combine the onion, okra, tomato, celery, and of course the crawfish. Take ¼ of your dressing and mix it into this bowl. Serve the extra dressing on the side so guest can add more if needed.

Crawfish Dip

INGREDIENTS

Crawfish

1 cup water

1-pound cooked crawfish tail meat

2 cups sour cream

1 (1-ounce) package dried porcini mushrooms

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 bunch green onions, sliced

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

¼ cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup unsalted butter

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Take a microwave safe bowl and heat up 1 cup of water on high. You want the water to be really hot, add the mushrooms until they soften. Strain the mushrooms but make sure to keep the liquid. Cut the mushrooms into fine pieces.

Take a medium saucepan, melt the butter, add the green onion, and then mix in the floor, letting it cook for 5 minutes

Take the mushroom liquid, the mushrooms, and the garlic, and add it to the saucepan. This needs to be brought to a boil.

Add the salt, pepper, and Crawfish; once adding the Crawfish continue to cook for 5 more minutes. Then reduce to low heat; add the parsley and sour cream.

Cajun Crawfish Bread

INGREDIENTS

1 (12-ounce) loaf French bread and halved it lengthwise

1 pound cooked crawfish tails

½ cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons butter

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, it needs to be softened

¾ cup sweet onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, make sure they are minced

¾ cup green onion, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped parsley, fresh

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning*

½ teaspoon sweet paprika

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

¾ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (with peppers)

First preheat the oven to 375 degrees

Take the bread halves and spread the mayonnaise on both halves.

Melt the butter in a large skillet, add the sweet onion and cook for about 5 minutes.

Then add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes. The parsley, green onion, and crawfish should be add next, cook for about 5 minutes. The cream cheese and Cajun seasoning will come next. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir to make sure the

cheese is fully mixed.

Take the mixture and spread it on both halves of the bread, garnish with the cheeses and paprika. Bake the bread until the cheese looks melted then turn on the broil, you want the cheese to be slightly browned.
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