FILLING 
        1/2     lb  Crawfish tails roughly chopped
          1    tbs  Olive oil
        1/4    cup  Small-diced onions
        1/4    cup  Small-diced red peppers
          1    tbs  Minced shallots
          1    tsp  Minced garlic
        1/2    cup  Cream cheese softened
                    Salt to taste
                    Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
          8      x  Prepared crepes
         10      x  Chives, long
                    Oil for frying

 SAUCE
        1/2     lb  Small-diced Tasso
          2    tbs  Minced shallots
          1    tbs  Minced garlic
      1 1/2    cup  Heavy cream
                    Bayou Blast see * Note
          2    tbs  Chopped green onions
          1    tsp  Crystal or your favorite hot sauce
          2    tbs  Butter
                    Salt to taste
                    Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
          2    tbs  Grated Parmesan-Reggiano Cheese
          2    tbs  Brunoise red pepper
          2      x  Grilled whole green onions


Method:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

For the purses: In a saute pan, heat the olive oil. When the pan is smoking hot, add the onions, peppers, shallots and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 1 minute and remove from the heat. In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients with the sauteed mixture. Mix until incorporated. Adjust the seasoning. Divide the crawfish filling into 8 equal portions. Spoon each portion in the center of the crepes. Gather the crepe at the top, forming a purse-like shape. Tie each crepe with a long chive.

For the sauce: In a hot saute pan, render the tasso for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the shallots and garlic and continue sauteing for 1 minute. Add the heavy cream and season with salt, pepper, and Bayou Blast. Allow the sauce to reduce until slightly thick, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the green onions and Crystal hot sauce. Finish the sauce with the butter. Reseason.

For the purses: Place the purses in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven. Spoon the sauce in the center of the platter. Arrange the purses over the sauce. Garnish with the Parmesan Reggiano cheese, red peppers and the grilled green onion.

This recipe yields 4 servings. 

 

1845
Congress adopts joint resolution for annexation of Texas. Edgar Allan Poe publishes The Raven and Other Poems.