Kays Seafood Etoufee

CHEF JOHN'S SHRIMP ETOUFFEE

Steps:

• Whisk paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, and black pepper together in a small bowl.
• Drain shrimp in a colander for at least 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl lined with paper towels and dry shrimp for about 3 minutes. Remove paper towels from bowl and season shrimp with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon spice blend. Toss to coat shrimp with spice blend.
• Heat vegetable oil a large heavy skillet over high heat until oil is smoking hot. Cook shrimp in the hot oil without stirring for 1 minute; stir, and cook 1 minute more.
• Transfer shrimp to a large bowl. Let stand until juice forms in bowl. Strain shrimp juices into chicken stock to total 2 cups, adding more chicken stock if necessary.
• Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat until butter begins to turn tan at the edges. Saute onion, celery, and green pepper in hot butter until softened, about 5 minutes. Pour in remaining spice blend.
• Sprinkle flour into vegetable mixture and saute until combined, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in tomatoes; cook until tomato juices begin to brown on bottom of pan, about 3 minutes. Whisk stock into vegetable mixture, stirring until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened and reduced to a gravy consistency, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Season with salt to taste.
• Stir shrimp into etouffee sauce; let simmer until shrimp are cooked all the way through and no longer translucent, about 1 minute.
• Garnish with green onions and a dusting of cayenne pepper. Pour over rice in large, shallow bowls.

SEAFOOD ETOUFFEE

Steps:

• In large, heavy pan melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for 20 to 25 minutes or until a dark reddish-brown roux is formed.
• Stir in the undrained tomatoes and chilies, water, sliced carrot and celery, chopped onion and green peppers, basil, salt, minimum amount of cayenne (can always be adjusted up later), and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and simmer about 25 minutes until vegetables are tender. Adjust the hotness with additional cayenne if desired. (Can be prepared to this point with the vegetables undercooked, then refrigerated to be reheated and completed right before serving).
• With the stew simmering, add the shrimp and crabmeat and simmer uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
• Serve in bowls with stew on the bottom and a mound of rice atop. Serve with a crusty French bread.

SHRIMP ETOUFFEE

Steps:

• Make the shrimp stock: Pour 2 quarts of water into a pot and add all the shrimp stock ingredients. Bring to a boil, drop the heat down and simmer the stock gently for 45 minutes. Strain through a fine-meshed sieve into another pot set over low heat. You will only need about 2 cups of stock for this recipe. Use the leftover stock for soup, risotto, etc. It will last in the fridge for a week or frozen for up to three months.

LOUISIANA CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE

Steps:

• Combine the rice and 6 cups water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until rice is tender and water has been absorbed.
• While the rice is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and saute until transparent. Stir in the garlic, and cook for a minute. Stir in the flour until well blended. Gradually stir in the tomato sauce and remaining 1 cup water, then add the crawfish tails and bring to a simmer. Add the green onions and season with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes over low heat, until the crawfish is cooked but not tough. Serve over hot cooked rice.

KAY'S SEAFOOD ETOUFEE

Steps:

• NOTE: This type meal with a salad costs approximately $12.00 to $20.00 per person at a nice restaurant. You will make enough to freeze half or 3/4ths of it. (Yes, I know this is an expensive recipe to make, but you will agree it is worth it. (I imagine I spend around $70.00 for this dish, but it is a huge pot of Seafood Etouffee.) Last but not least--- If you pull out your electric knife, this makes prepping a snap! Enjoy!