Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage

Crab Cake Eggs Benedict

Crab Cake Eggs Benedict

Ingredients

4 frozen crab cakes
4 poached eggs
4 pieces of grilled ham
1 cup Hollandaise Sauce

Hollandaise Sauce

4 egg yolks
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
Pinch cayenne
Pinch salt

Vigorously whisk the egg yolks and lemon juice together in a stainless steel bowl and until the mixture is thickened and doubled in volume. Place the bowl over a saucepan containing barely simmering water (or use a double boiler,) the water should not touch the bottom of the bowl. Continue to whisk rapidly. Be careful not to let the eggs get too hot or they will scramble. Slowly drizzle in the melted butter and continue to whisk until the sauce is thickened and doubled in volume. Remove from heat, whisk in cayenne and salt. Cover and place in a warm spot until ready to use for the eggs benedict. If the sauce gets too thick, whisk in a few drops of warm water before serving.

Inspired by: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/hollandaise-sauce-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

 

 

Shrimp Creole

Shrimp Creole

Ingredients

2 lbs. Peeled and Deveined Shrimp
2 Tbsp Butter
1 Large Onion, finely chopped
2 Ribs Celery, finely chopped
1 small Green Pepper, finely Chopped
2 Tbsp Creole Seasoning
2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
28 oz Can Crushed Tomatoes
1/2 Cup Dry White Wine
2 Cups Shrimp Stock (can)
2 Tbsp Garlic, minced
2 Bay leaves
Cayenne to taste
Kosher Salt to taste
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 bunch Fresh Thyme
2 Tbsp Tabasco
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/8 Cup Flat Leaf Parsley, minced
Brown Rice

Directions

Melt the butter in a large sauce pan over medium high heat. When the butter begins to froth add 1/2 cup of the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown. Add the remaining onions, celery, and bell pepper, reduce the heat to medium and season with 1 Tbsp Creole Seasoning and a healthy pinch of salt. Sweat the vegetables until soft.

Add the tomato paste mixing well, and cook, stirring constantly, until the paste begins to brown, then add tomatoes.  Stir well.

Add the white wine, and turn the heat to high until most of the alcohol burns off. Add the Shrimp Stock, remaining Creole seasoning, garlic, bay leaves, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne (to taste), and Thyme. Bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer. Simmer for 30-45 minutes.

Add the hot sauce, Worcestershire, and season to taste with Kosher salt. Last chance to re-season your sauce, remember that good cooking is all about proper seasoning. Make your Boiled Rice, and season your shrimp with 1 Tbsp Kosher salt and a pinch of Cayenne.

Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat to low and add the shrimp. The key is to not overcook your shrimp. Let them slowly simmer in the sauce until just cooked through.

Serve with boiled rice and garnish with the remaining parsley.

Inspired by: http://www.nolacuisine.com/2008/04/13/shrimp-creole-recipe/

Chicken and Cauliflower Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala

Marinade Ingredients:

1 cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon hot curry powder
1 teaspoon ground tabasco pepper (Cajun Kicker)
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut up into skewer size pieces)
4 long skewers

Sauce Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
1 cup chopped cauliflower
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons hot curry powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground tabasco pepper (Cajun Kicker)
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup half and half or cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

For marinade combine yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, curry powder, tabasco pepper, black pepper, ginger, and salt. Stir in chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Get your grill going. When grill is ready put chicken onto skewers, and discard marinade. Grill until juices run clear, about 5-10 minutes on each side, depending on the heat of your grill/coals.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute. Season with cumin, paprika, hot curry powder, ground tabasco, and salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken and cauliflower, and simmer for 15 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Commentary: The use of Coussou’s Cajun Kicker Pure Ground Tabasco really gives this traditional Indiana dish some nice Louisiana heat (some other hot ground pepper will do fine as a replacement though), and the cauliflower acts as a curry sponge which is awesome. Also, doing this with skewers really results in a wonderful flavor and tenderness for the chicken if done right.

Inspired by: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-tikka-masala/