Spicy Shrimp Boudin Balls Food

SMOKED SHRIMP BOUDIN

Steps:

• Cook the onions in the butter in a large rondeau, skillet or Dutch oven over very low heat, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 45 minutes. Add the shrimp, 3 tablespoons of the salt, 2 tablespoons of the black pepper and 1 tablespoon of the cayenne. Cook until the shrimp are pink and fully cooked, about 10 more minutes. Turn off the heat and set aside.
• Wrap the bay leaves, sage and thyme in a cheesecloth and tie with twine. Add the sachet to a large stockpot or Dutch oven along with the crab stock, crab boil seasoning, MSG and the remaining 4 tablespoons salt, 2 tablespoons pepper and 2 tablespoons cayenne. Bring to a boil, add the rice and stir once. Lower the temperature to medium low, cover the pot and cook until the rice is done, 15 to 20 minutes.
• In a large bowl, mix the cooked rice together with the reserved shrimp mixture and the green onions and parsley. Let cool briefly. While still warm, pipe the mixture into the hog casing with a sausage stuffer and twist into 6-inch sausages.
• Prepare a smoker for smoking at about 200 degrees F. Smoke the sausages until the internal temperature has reached 155 degrees F, 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

CHORIZO BOUDIN BALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine ground pork with salt, pepper, cayenne, chile flakes, chile powder, paprika, vinegar and oregano. Mix to combine well, cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for about an hour.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned ground pork and cook until brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onion, celery, garlic and jalapeños and cook until vegetables are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add chicken livers and roasted pork pieces and cook until livers are colored on the outside but still pink inside, about 2 minutes; remove from heat and let cool.
• Transfer mixture to a clean work surface and chop into small, even pieces about the size of peas. Place in a large mixing bowl and combine with cooked rice, parsley, cilantro and pork drippings. Stir for 5 minutes or until mixture is sticky and the rice has absorbed all the liquid. Taste and reseason if needed.
• Place flour, egg wash and panko in three separate dishes. Form boudin mixture into small spheres the size of golf balls. Roll balls in flour, then egg wash, then panko. Place balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet until ready to cook. (You may hold them in the refrigerator overnight, or freeze them, wrapped well, for up to a month. Bring to room temperature before proceeding.)
• Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot with 3 inches of vegetable oil and set over high heat. When oil reaches 375 degrees as registered by a deep-fry thermometer, add boudin balls. Working in batches so as not to crowd the pan, cook until golden brown and heated all the way through, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer balls to a baking sheet lined with paper towel. Return oil to 375 degrees and repeat process with remaining balls. (They can be kept warm in a 200-degree oven between batches.) Serve hot or at room temperature.