Pappadeaux Snapper Ponchartrain Food

PAPPADEAUX SNAPPER PONCHARTRAIN

Steps:

• Combine reserved shrimp shells, chopped vegetables and water in a large stockpot; simmer over medium heat until liquid is reduced to 3 cups, about 30 minutes; strain and set aside.
• Make a roux in a heavy saucepan by melting 4 tablespoons butter until it begins to turn brown.
• Slowly whisk in 4 tablespoons flour until mixture thickens to a paste; cook until it turns a light, golden brown.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in another saucepan.
• Add garlic and onion and saute over medium heat 2 minutes.
• Add crushed bouillon cube, pepper sauce and shrimp stock.
• Stir and let simmer.
• While the stock is simmering, melt 1 stick plus 1 1/3 tablespoons butter in a separate saucepan, stirring, until it turns golden brown; set aside.
• Add roux to stock mixture and stir to incorporate, then simmer 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add brown butter to stock and whisk until incorporated and emulsified.
• Whisk in Madeira until incorporated.
• Set sauce aside and keep warm while the fish fillets are cooking.
• Mix salt, paprika, garlic powder and cayenne into remaining 2 cups flour.
• Dip fish fillets in lemon juice, then into seasoned flour to coat.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large heated skillet over medium heat.
• Place fillets in skillet and cook until golden brown and completely cooked, about 4 minutes per side.
• While the fish is cooking, saute the peeled shrimp in 1 tablespoon butter just until they turn pink (do not overcook).
• Add shrimp and crab to Madeira sauce.
• Spoon 4 shrimp and a couple ounces of heated sauce over fillets and serve.

PONTCHARTRAIN SAUCE (PAPPADEAUX'S)

Steps:

• To make shrimp stock, combine reserved shrimp shells, chopped vegetables and water in a large stockpot; simmer over medium heat for about 30 minutes until liquid is reduced to 3 cups; strain and set aside.
• Sauté shrimp in 1 tablespoons butter until turning pink and set aside.
• Make roux by melting 4 tablespoons butter in saucepan until about to turn brown; whisk in 4 tablespoons flour until mixture thickens to a paste; cook until it turns a light, golden brown. Set aside.
• In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoons butter and add garlic and remaining onion; sauté over medium heat 2 minutes.
• Add shrimp stock and crushed bouillon cube; stir and let simmer.
• While the stock is simmering, melt 1 ¼ stick of butter in a separate saucepan until it turns golden brown then set aside.
• Add roux to stock mixture and stir until fully incorporated; simmer for 3-5 minutes.
• Whisk melted butter into stock until fully incorporated then whisk in ¼ cup Madeira wine until fully incorporated; mix in Cajun seasoning and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
• Add 6 oz. back fin crab meat and cooked shrimp into sauce; simmer for 3-5 minutes and then ready to serve.

PLAKI (BAKED SNAPPER WITH POTATOES)

Steps:

• After your fish is totally cleaned, place it in a large baking pan and score it with a knife on each side, making three lines or incisions on its body. You can make it fancy and do another 3 lines the cross way if you're in a Jaques Pépin kinda mood.
• Season it generously with salt, pepper, and oregano, especially inside the gutted slit and on the side incisions.
• You may also add some garlic or slices in the belly and the incisions.
• Place the fish exactly in the middle of the pan. Around it, add the potatoes,onions and tomatoes in a row, alternating one after the other. Season those as well, with salt, pepper, parsley and lots of oregano.
• Place any leftovers inside the belly of the fish.
• Drizzle the food with the juice of one and a half lemons.
• Add the olive oil, evenly coating all ingredients.
• Add 1/2 cup water.
• Place in a 375 to 400 degree oven and cook until potatoes are tender for about 45 minutes to an hour. You may even foil it first for about half the time.
• The sauce shouldn't be too thick or too watery.
• The fish and potatoes should be a bit crisp and brown on their surfaces.
• Add more lemon if desired.

EASIEST SNAPPER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Place the fish in a lightly buttered baking dish with skin side down.
• Bake at 425°F for 12 to 15 minutes per inch of thickness.
• Mix all the remaining ingredients together.
• When fish is cooked through, spread mixture over the top.
• Place under broiler until top is brown and bubbly. Serve.