Cullen's Crawfish Pie

 

2 1/2 cup Flour 
1 tsp Salt 
2/3 cup Lard 
4 1/2 tbs Ice water 
1/2 stk Butter 
1 cup Chopped yellow onion 
1/4 cup Chopped green bell pepper 
1/4 cup Chopped red bell pepper 
1/2 cup Chopped celery 
2 tbs Minced shallots 
1 tbs Minced garlic 
1 1/2 tsp Salt 
1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper 
1/4 tsp Freshly-ground black pepper 
1/2 cup Chopped tomatoes 
1 lb Peeled crawfish tails 
2 tbs Chopped parsley 
2 tbs Flour 
1 cup Water 
2 tbs Chopped chives 
1 tbs Brunoise red peppers 
1/4 cup Grated Parmegiana-Reggiano cheese


Method:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

For the pie crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Using your hands work in the lard until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Work the dough until you have a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator and place on a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough in half and roll each ball into a circle about 14 inches in diameter and 1/8-inch thick. Gently fold the circle of dough in half and then in half again so that you can lift it without tearing the dough, and unfold into a 9-inch pie pan. Reserve the other circle for the top of the pie.

For the filling: In a large saute pan, heat the butter. When the butter is melted, add the onions, peppers, celery, shallots, garlic, salt, cayenne, and black pepper. Saute for 8 minutes, or until the vegetables are golden and wilted. Add the tomatoes and cook for 6 minutes. Add the crawfish tails and parsley. Stirring occasionally, cook for about 4 minutes. Dissolve the flour in the water and add to the pan. Stir for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat. Cool for at least 30 minutes.

Pour the filling into the pie crust. Top the filling with the remaining crust and crimp the edges. Place the pie in the center of a cookie sheet and brush with an egg wash. Bake for 45 minutes or until the edges of the pie crust are golden. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Place a slice of the pie in the center of a plate. Garnish with chives, red peppers, and cheese.

 

1848
Revolt in Paris: Louis Philippe abdicates; Louis Napoleon elected president of French Republic. Revolutions in Vienna, Venice, Berlin, Milan, Rome, and Warsaw. Put down by royal troops in 1848-1849. U.S.-Mexico War ends; Mexico cedes claims to Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada. U.S. treaty with Britain sets Oregon Territory boundary at 49th parallel. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels's Communist Manifesto. Harriet Tubman escapes from slavery and joins the Underground Railroad. Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, N.Y.