Seared snapper with crawfish couche couche

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
4tablespoonsOlive oil
1cupOnions, chopped
Essence
1Ear of sweet corn, scraped
From the cob
2teaspoonsGarlic, chopped
1poundsCrawfish tails
2cupsYellow cornmeal
1cupFlour
1teaspoonSalt
1tablespoonSugar
1teaspoonBaking powder
¼teaspoonCayenne
1Egg, beaten
1cupMilk
½cupChicken stock
3tablespoonsVegetable oil
4(6 to 8-ounce) red snapper
Fillets
2cupsTasso Maque Choux, recipe
Follows

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a saute pan, heat 2 tablespoon olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions and saute for 2 minutes. Season with Essence. Add the corn and continue to saute for 1 minute. Add the garlic and crawfish and continue to saute for 1 minute. Season with Essence. Remove from the heat and cool. In a mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, and cayenne. Add the egg, milk and chicken stock and mix well, but do not beat. Fold in the crawfish mixture. In a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat, add the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot and almost smoking, pour in the batter and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool. Break the couche couche into pieces. Season the snapper with Essence. In a large skillet, heat the remaining olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the snapper and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove the snapper from the pan and drain on paper-lined plate. Place the couche couche in the center of each plate. Lay the fish directly on top of each of the couche couche and spoon the Tasso Maque Choux over the top.

Yield: 6 servings

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