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CREOLE CAJUN CHEF
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Self Basting Shrimp
Skewers are a great appetizer for outdoor grilling. Try this shrimp version. Self-Basting Grilled Shrimp 36 jumbo headless shrimp (about 3 pounds) Motel Butter (recipe follows) 6 10-inch metal or water-soaked wooden skewers Using sharp kitchen scissors, cut along backside of shrimp stopping just before the tails; remove dark vein and discard. Rinse under running water and pat dry. Using your finger, rub inside shell with 1/4 teaspoon Motel Butter. Carefully thread shrimp even

Tommy Centola
1 day ago1 min read


Crabmeat au Gratin from Don's
Crabmeat au Gratin is one of my favorite crabmeat dishes. Here's Don's version, which is still on the menu. 1/2 cup celery, chopped fine 1 cup onion, chopped fine 1/4 pound butter 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 13 ounce evaporated milk 2 egg yolks 1/2 cup grated American cheese 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 pound white crabmeat 1/2 pound grated American cheese Sauté onion and celery in butter until the onions are wilted. Blend flour well w

Tommy Centola
Jul 21 min read


Stuffed Red Snapper
This week, I want to share a couple of recipes from a restaurant I first ate at in my childhood, Don's Seafood and Steakhouse. 1 1/2 cups onions, chopped 1/2 cup celery, chopped 1/4 pound butter 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 cup bread crumbs 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 4 pounds fillet of red snapper 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined 3 stale hamburger buns 4 eggs 1 pound white crabmeat 1/4 cup tomato catsup Boil shrimp, drain water and chop

Tommy Centola
Jun 291 min read


Shrimp Spaghetti
Here's a quick and flavorful dish for a weeknight meal. 2 onions 2 stalks celery 1/2 bell pepper 4 cloves garlic 3 ounces tomato paste 15 ounces tomato sauce 1 pound peeled and deveined medium raw shrimp 4 ounces canned sliced mushrooms Creole seasoning, to taste 1 quart water 1 pound spaghetti Shaved Parmesan cheese, for garnish Chop onions, celery bell pepper, and garlic; cook in a small amount of oil until wilted. Add tomato paste and tomato sauce. Cook over low fire until

Tommy Centola
May 141 min read


BBQ Crawfish Tails
The sauce that BBQ Shrimp are prepared in is perfect for other seafoods. Here, we give crawfish tails the BBQ treatment. 1 pound of peeled crawfish tails 1/4 pound butter 1/2 cup finely chopped garlic 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper 1 tablespoon fish sauce 2 teaspoons fresh minced rosemary 1 cup seafood stock 2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste Garnish: lemon wedg

Tommy Centola
Apr 301 min read


Orzo Pastalaya
This week, I want to put a twist on traditional dishes. The first is to substitute orzo for other pasta in pastalaya. 2 tablespoons butter 12 ounces andouille sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup chopped yellow onion 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper 3/4 cup green bell pepper 1/2 cup chopped celery 2 teaspoons minced garlic 2 sprigs fresh thyme 1 bay leaf 32 ounces chicken stock 28-ounce can crushed fire-roaste

Tommy Centola
Apr 271 min read


Asian-Inspired Shrimp with Garlic Sauce
Time to dive into my Asian flavors. Here's a stir-fry dish. The sticky rice recipe is coming Thursday. 1 pound peeled and deveined 16/20 shrimp 2 teaspoons soy sauce 2 teaspoons rice wine (or cane) vinegar 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger Canola oil 2 bunches green onions, white bottoms, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 red bell peppers, cut into i-inch squares 2 bunches green onion tops, cut into 1-inch pieces Hot pepper flakes (optional) Gar

Tommy Centola
Apr 132 min read


Lobster and Sweet Corn Chowder
Let's visit an old friend this week. Here's a couple of recipes from Mr BAM himself, Emeril Lagasse. 3/4 pound bacon, julienned 2 cups chopped yellow onions 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup diced carrot 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 bay leaves 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 10 cups chicken stock 1 1/2 pounds new potatoes, quartered 4 ears fresh sweet corn, kernels removed from the husk 1 teaspoon Crab Boil 2 cups half and half 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley 1/4

Tommy Centola
Mar 162 min read


Savory Crawfish Bread Pudding
When you hear bread pudding, you think of a sweet dessert. Time to chage that with this savory recipe. 3 large eggs 11/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning 4 cups half & half 1 loaf soft French bread 3 tablespoons canola oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 pound tasso, coarsely chopped 1 pound crawfish tails with fat, coarsely chopped 3 green onions, sliced Preheat oven to 325℉. In a large bowl add eggs and cr

Tommy Centola
Mar 121 min read


Baked Oysters with Andouille Cream
Here's a recipe using two of my favorite protiens, osyters and andouille. 3 ounces andouille sausage, finely diced 2 tablespoons minced shallots 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour 1/2 cup half-and-half 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon hot sauce (optional) 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 6 tablespoons Panko breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 12 fresh oysters on the half shell (see note below) Lemon wedges, to

Tommy Centola
Jan 151 min read


Fried Oyster BLT
Time for another couple of oyster recipes. Canola oil, for frying 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon granulated onion 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 12 fresh oysters, shucked and drained 1/4 cup mayonnaise 3 teaspoons Sriracha sauce 4 slices Texas toast 4 slices applewood-smoked bacon, cooked 2 slices of tomatoes 2 leaves green leaf lettuce In a heavy-bottomed skillet, pour oil to a depth of

Tommy Centola
Jan 121 min read


Cajun Shrimp and Rice
Here's a couple of dishes that include rice. Let's start with a seafood dish 1 stick butter 1 medium onion, chopped 2 stalks celery,...

Tommy Centola
Sep 15, 20251 min read


Shrimp Tacos
Here's a recipe for those who like to experiment with different peppers. 1 pound cleaned Louisiana shrimp 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon...

Tommy Centola
Sep 11, 20251 min read


Gulf Fish Tacos
How about a copule of seafood tacos this week? I'll start with a twist on the Californian Fish Taco. 1 pound skinless Gulf fish fillets,...

Tommy Centola
Sep 8, 20251 min read


Swordfish Steak au Poivre
If you're looking for a light dish from the grill, here's a good one. It also works great with tuna. 4 tablespoons multicolored...

Tommy Centola
Aug 14, 20251 min read


Peggy's Shrimp and Grits
There are so many ways to make Shrimp and Grits. This is my most recent version. My wife liked it so much, she allowed me to name it...

Tommy Centola
Jul 31, 20251 min read


Chile-Lime Crab Claws
One of my wife's favorite appetizers are Fried Crab Claws. There a lighter recipe using crab claws. 3 tablespoons cane vinegar 3...

Tommy Centola
Jul 17, 20251 min read


Tomato-Shrimp Shooters
With all this heat, we need dishes that are refreshing and cool. This week, I have two appetizer recipes that fit this bill. 1/2 cup...

Tommy Centola
Jul 14, 20251 min read


Roasted Shrimp PoBoys
Here's a change of pace from a fried shrimp poboy. 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1...

Tommy Centola
Jul 10, 20251 min read


Lemon Ginger Pasta
Here's a light pasta dish that perfect for the hot summer months. 20 bags lemon-ginger herbal tea 1 teaspoon salt 1 pound thin spaghetti...

Tommy Centola
Jul 3, 20251 min read
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