Corned Beef Brisket

2 quarts water
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons saltpeter
2 cinnamon sticks, broken into several pieces
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
2 teaspoons black peppercorns
10 whole cloves
10 whole allspice berries
10 whole juniper berries
2 bay leaves, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 bag of ice
1 (4 to 5 pound) beef brisket, trimmed
1  onion, quartered
1 large carrot, coarsely chopped
1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped

Place the water into a large 6 to 8 quart stockpot along with salt, sugar, saltpeter, cinnamon stick, mustard seeds, peppercorns, cloves, allspice, juniper berries, bay leaves and ginger. Cook over high heat until the salt and sugar have dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the ice. Stir until the ice has melted. If necessary, place the brine into the refrigerator until it reaches a temperature of 45 degrees F. Once it has cooled, place the brisket in a 2-gallon zip top bag and add the brine. Seal and lay flat inside a container, cover and place in the refrigerator for 10 days. Check daily to make sure the beef is completely submerged and stir the brine.

After 10 days, remove from the brine and rinse well under cool water. Place the brisket into a pot just large enough to hold the meat, add the onion, carrot and celery and cover with water by 1-inch. Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and gently simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until the meat is fork tender. Remove from the pot and thinly slice across the grain.

Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo

 2 tablespoons butter
 2 cloves garlic
 2 cups chopped onion
 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
 1/2 cup chopped celery
 1 pound okra, chopped
 1/4 cup vegetable oil
 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
 1 pound chicken thighs
 1 pound andouille sausage links
 2 cups water
 6 cups chicken broth
 2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
 1 sprig fresh thyme
 3 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
 1/2 teaspoon file powder (optional)

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, bell pepper, celery and okra; cook and stir until vegetables are tender and just browned. Remove from the skillet, and set aside.

Brown the sausage in the skillet over medium heat. Remove from the pan to drain on paper towels. Drain the sausage fat from the skillet, and pour in the vegetable oil to heat. Place the chicken in the skillet, and cook for about 20 minutes, turning frequently. Remove chicken from the pan, and place on paper towels to drain, leaving the oil in the pan.

Reduce the heat to low, and stir in the flour. Cook, stirring constantly, until the roux reaches a deep brown color. This should take about 30 minutes.
Stir 2 cups of water into the roux, and add the onion, garlic and peppers. Set the heat to medium, and bring to a boil. Stir in the chicken broth, and simmer over low heat. Cut the chicken into cubes, and add to the broth along with the sausage. Simmer for about 1 hour.

Add the shrimp to the gumbo, and season with thyme, parsley, salt, cayenne pepper, and hot pepper sauce. Cook for another 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, and stir in the file powder.

Serve with rice

Smothered Turkey Wings

6 turkey wings

  1 tablespoon salt

  1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

  1 teaspoon garlic powder

  1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

  1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  2 tablespoons of flour

 1/2 cup butter

 2 celery ribs, chopped

 1/2 medium onion, chopped

 1 small bell pepper,chopped

 1 teaspoon dried thyme

 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

 7 tablespoons flour

 3-6 cups turkey or chicken broth

 2 cups milk

 Heat the cooking oil in a medium pot.

 Thoroughly wash and dry turkey wings. Stir together 2 Tablespoons of flour salt, pepper, garlic powder, poultry seasoning and onion powder in a medium bowl. Toss turkey wings into the bowl to lightly coat evenly.

Fry the wings in the oil, over medium heat, turning, until they are just brown on both sides.

 Melt butter in a large heavy saucepan or dutch oven; add celery, bell pepper and onion; cook over medium-low heat until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in thyme and pepper, cook 1 minute add flour stirring constantly, until light brown, about 5 minutes; slowly whisk in half the broth.

 4 Heat liquid to a boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered 20 minutes slowly whisk in milk and stir constantly until sauce returns to a simmer. Add the wings and cover and cook until tender, about 1 hour adding more broth if necessary. Ground dried chili pepper can be added to the wing seasoning and the sauce if you want.

Smokey Duck Gumbo

3 smoked ducks

8 quarts water

2 large onions quartered

4 stalks celery quartered

3 bay leaves

3 cloves garlic diced

1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Boil ducks in a large pot along with all ingredients above. Simmer uncovered for 1 1/2 hours until flavor is achieved. Remove ducks and de-bone. Chill the stock and reserve.

1 1/4cups flour

1 cup oil

2 cups sliced Andouille Sausage

2 cups chopped onions

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped green pepper

5 cloves garlic minced

1 bunch chopped parsley

4 quarts duck stock

1/2 cup favorite red wine

Salt, black pepper to taste

1 teaspoon red pepper

1/2 teaspoon oregano

2 tablespoons Tabasco

In a large heavy pot make a dark roux with oil and flour . Add all vegetables and cook for 10 minutes until tender. Add stock, wine and seasonings then simmer for 30 minutes.

Add duck and sausage, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer on low for 1 hour. Taste for seasoning and simmer for 30 more minutes.

Serve over rice and sprinkle with Chives. I also serve a side of fried orka and crusty bread.

My Basic Southern Cornbread Dressing

1 12”skillet of cornbread

1/2 sleeve saltine crackers

8 tablespoons butter

2 cups chopped celery

1 large onion, chopped

6 cups chicken stock

1 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoon sage

1 tablespoon poultry seasoning

5 eggs, beaten

Crumble the cornbread and crackers in a large bowl and mix together well.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and onion and cook until transparent, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Pour the vegetable mixture over cornbread mixture. Add the stock, mix well, taste, and add salt, pepper to taste, sage, and poultry seasoning. Add beaten eggs and mix well. Pour mixture into a greased pan and bake until dressing is cooked through, about 45 to 60 minutes.

Blue cheese and Broccoli Soup

This is a really good soup if you are a blue cheese fan. Other crumbly cheeses can be used if you are not. As you will see it can be an elegant starter.

32 oz blue cheese

2 tbsp butter

1 onion, chopped

2 stalks celery chopped 

1 potato, chopped

11/2 lbs of broccoli rough chopped (remove tough stems)

4 cups water

salt and ground pepper

walnut oil and olive oil

Take a big saucepan, heat butter and stir in onion and potato. Cook for about 5 minutes. Then add broccoli and keep on cooking for another 5 minutes. After that add water and boil everything for 15 minutes.

Then put the cooked vegetables in a food processor or blender and half of the cooking liquid.. blend until smooth. Adding a little more liquid if too thick

Save the rest of the cooking liquid to be frozen as a stock.

Strain the soup back into the saucepan. Reheat again stirring, but do not boil. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Divide into 4 soup bowls

I divide the cheese in 4 equal portions in small bowls on saucers with

A verity of crackers so guest can add the amount of cheese they want to the soup or on a cracker topped with one of the oils. A thin sliced meat of your choice can be served as well.

Crab and Shrimp Stew

This recipe was shown to me when I spent my summers in Loxley, Alabama as a youngster. I always looked forward to going to the Bay to set out Crab traps and dragging a Shrimp net. The reason I call this a stew and not a gumbo is the lack of okra or file’. The owner of the boat we went out on was born in Norway and this was basically his recipe. I changed some of the spices as he gained the knowledge of making a roux and using the trinity from the Southern Coast. I am so glad that he took the time to teach the art of catching and cleaning the bounties the Bay.

1 dozen crabs, scalded

1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined (heads and shells reserved)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cup chopped onions

1/2 cup chopped bell peppers

3/4 cup chopped celery

2 bay leaves

Salt and cayenne to taste

1 pound lump crabmeat, picked over for shells and cartilage

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

1/2 stick butter

1/2 cup cream

Cooked rice for serving

To scald the crabs wash them in clean running water. Drop in boiling water. You don’t want to leave them in the hot water too long — just until they start to turn light pink, since all you want to do is keep them from biting you as you process them.

Pull the backs off the crabs, and clean out the dead man fingers, lungs and centers of the crabs. If there is any fat in the crabs, scoop it out with your fingers and put in a small bowl. Crack the claws, but do not remove the shells. Break the crab bodies in half. Set aside.

Peel and devein the shrimp. Put the heads and shells in a large pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, combine the oil and flour in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Stirring slowly and constantly, make a dark brown roux. Add the onions, bell peppers and celery, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add the bay leaves.

Strain the shrimp stock. You should have 4 to 5 cups of stock. Add enough water to make 6 cups. Add to the roux mixture and stir to blend. Season the stock with salt and cayenne. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for about 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally.

Add the reserved crab bodies (and any reserved crab fat) and simmer for 20 minutes, then add the lump crabmeat, shrimp, butter and cream. Cook for 10 minutes longer. Remove from the heat and add the parsley stir well and taste for seasoning. If you needed to add more seasoning, return to low for about 5 min. so the flavors can marry.  

 Serve hot with rice in bowls.

Creamy Seafood Sauce

1/4 lb butter (melted)

1 medium diced green bell pepper

1 small diced onion

1/2 cup diced celery

Tabasco, Cajun seasoning

1 quart heavy whipping cream

2 lbs small shrimp (peeled, beheaded, deveined) cleaned crab or crawfish tails

1/4 cup chopped green onions.

2 1/2 Tbs  blonde roux

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

 Put first 5 ingredients into medium sauce pan.

 Saute on medium heat for 8-10 minutes, or until vegetables are translucent (stirring occasionally)

 Add whipping cream to mixture and simmer for 10 minutes. (Stirring occasionally not to stick)

 Rinse and drain shrimp well, Add to mixture, cook for 8-10 minutes or until shrimp are cooked.

(If using crab or crawfish, these are already cooked)

Add green onion.  Add roux to mixture and stir well and Bring to a boil. Lower heat and add parmesan and mix well.  Taste for seasoning  and simmer 3 minutes

 Now sauce is ready to serve over cooked pasta, grilled fish, or steak.

Jambalaya

1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped( Crawfish tails can also be used, heck add both)

4 ounces chicken, diced

1 tablespoon Creole or Cajun seasoning

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce ( or more)
3/4 cup rice
3 cups chicken or seafood stock
5 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced
Salt and pepper

In a bowl combine shrimp, chicken and Creole seasoning, and work in seasoning well. In a large saucepan heat butter over medium high heat with onion, pepper and celery, 3 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, bay leaves, Worcestershire and hot sauces. Stir in rice and slowly add broth. Reduce heat to medium and  lid it up and leave it alone and cook until rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender,  about 15-20 minutes. When rice is just tender stir it up. Add shrimp, chicken and sausage mixture. Cook until meat is done, about 10 minutes more. Season to taste with salt, pepper and favorite Louisiana seasoning and remove bay leaves. I add a touch of cream at this point, but that’s up to you.

Crawfish Pie

1/2 stick of real butter

1/2 cup of chopped green bellpeppers

1/2 cup of chopped celery

1 small onion chopped

2 teaspoons of salt

1/2 teaspoon of red pepper

1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

1/2 cup of canned tomatoes that are chopped

1 lb. of fresh Louisiana crawfish tails

2 teaspoons of chopped parsely

2 tablespoons of flour

1 cup of 1/2 water and crean mixture

1 pie crust (Frozen or your own recipe)

Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large skillet, melt the butter over a medium heat.

To the melted butter, add the onions, celery, bell pepper, red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes until the onions are a golden color.

Add the tomatoes and cook for another 7 minutes, stirring ocasionally.

Add the parsley and the crawfish, and cook for another 5 minutes.

In a seperate bowl, dissolve the flour into the water and cream. Add this mixture to the skillet. Stir this for about 4 minutes until it thickens.

Pour the ingredients that are in the skillet into a cool bowl. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes.

Place the pie crust onto a 9" pie pan. Crimp the edges.

Pour the mixture from the cool bowl into the pie pan.

Place the pie on a baking sheet and into the oven.

Cook in the oven for about 45 minutes, or until the edges are goelden brown.

Corn and Crab Bisque

You can subtitute other seafood for the crab or just add them on in.

4 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup minced onions

1 cup uncooked sweet corn from the cob

2 tablespoons minced shallots

1 tablespoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons minced celery

Favorite Cajun spice blend

1 cup crab stock or fish stock

3 bay leaves

Salt and pepper

2 cup milk

2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoons liquid crab boil

3 tablespoons flour

1/2 -1 cup lump crab meat, picked over for shells and cartilage

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Chives for garish

In a large sauce pot, heat the pan to medium low and add butter. Add the onions, corn, shallots, garlic, celery and saute for 1 minute. Add the flour and stir until you get a blond roux. Season with Cajun spice. Add the stock, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Whisk in the milk, cream, and crab boil.Bring back to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 5-7 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook, whisking until the mixture thickens. Stir in the crab meat, green onions, and Worcestershire and simmer for 6-8 minutes. Reseason if needed. Remove the bay leaves and Ladle into a shallow bowl and garnish with chives.

Cold Buttermilk and Cucumber soup

A very simple yet good recipe on a hot day!!

2 cucumbers, peeled , seeded and chopped

1 cup watercress (optional, grows wild at camp branch here)

2 cups buttermilk

sprig of fresh dill

salt and pepper

celery seed

Cut up the cucumber. pulse in a blender with the watercress until it is finely chopped. Thin with buttermilk. Season with dill,celery seed, salt and pepper.

This is delicious either with the watercress or without it. I like to sprinkle a few minced chives over the top.

Mushroom Grillades

2 Portobello mushrooms, stemmed, cut in half and sliced (use stems for stock)

4 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)

3 stalks celery, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

1/2 tablespoon minced garlic (2 cloves)

3 tablespoons flour

2 cups mushroom stock

2 cups vegetable stock

1/2 cup red wine (optional)

1 pound shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced  (use stems for stock)

1/2 pound button mushrooms, sliced

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (8-ounce) can tomato paste

1 roasted red bell pepper, peeled, seeded, diced

1 tablespoon cayenne

1/2 tablespoon thyme

Salt and pepper

1/2 cup cream (optional)

Hot cooked grits or rice

Put mushroom stems in a pot with 4 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat; simmer 25 to 30 minutes. Strain and return liquid to pot. Reduce liquid by half to make about 2 cups of mushroom stock.

Saute portobello mushrooms in heated olive oil(or butter) for 4 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to a bowl. Add celery and onion to oil and wilt down for 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Then add flour to make a light roux.

Add mushroom stock, vegetable stock and red wine if using. Stir well to eliminate lumps. Add sauteed mushrooms, shiitakes, button mushrooms, tomatoes, tomato paste, roasted red pepper, cayenne and thyme. Stir well. (Add cream) Simmer over medium heat 35 to 40 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve over grits or rice.

CWP's Country Captain

This is a new recipe that was just recently tested and proven by my Friend and Foodie, Jim Linton. Thanks for the Habanero addition!

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tablespoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 pounds boneless chicken thighs

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup chopped sweet onions

1 cup chopped green bell peppers

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 bay leaf

1/2 tablespoon curry powder

1/4 teaspoon dried ground thyme

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 tablespoon minced garlic

2- 12 oz  jars of roasted red peppers with liquid rough chopped

1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 habanero pepper, seeded, ribbed and chopped

1/2 cup chicken stock

1/2 tablespoon dark brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

Cooked long-grain white rice, as accompaniment

4 ounces toasted slivered almonds, for garnish

In a large shallow dish, combine the flour, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the black pepper and stir to blend. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture to coat on all sides, shaking to remove any excess.

In a Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in batches until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the pan. Add the onions, bell peppers, celery, bay leaf, curry powder, thyme, crushed red pepper and tomato paste. Cook stirring, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic,habanero and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the roasted red peppers and their liquid, the chicken broth, sugar, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir to blend and reduce the heat to medium. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender, about 30 minutes. Add the apricots and cook for 15 minutes longer.

Remove from the heat and adjust the seasoning, to taste. Serve hot over the white rice. Garnish with the almonds and serve.

My Crawfish Etouffee

1 stick butter

1/2 cup flour

1 lb. crawfish tails with fat

2 Slices bacon chopped

1/4 link Cajun sausage chopped fine

1 medium white onion, chopped

3/4 cup bell pepper, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 cup celery, chopped

1 1/2 cups clam juice or stock made from shrimp heads and shells

1/2 cup cream

1 TBSP Lemon Juice

the green ends of 4 green onions, chopped

1 TBSP chopped parsely

1 TBSP Tabasco pepper sauce

Salt, white pepper and Creole or Cajun seasoning

Render copped bacon and sausage in a heavy Dutch Oven on medium until crispy. Remove on to a towel and add celery, bell peppers and onions and cook on low until tender. Remove Trinity and reserve in a bowl. Melt the butter on medium low in the Dutch oven and add flour and stir slowly until the flour reaches a reddish brown color. ( Think of the color of a penny)

Add garlic and the reserved Trinity and stir on low for one minute. Add the clam juice or stock and and turn the heat up to medium high and stay with it stirring until it comes to a slow bubbling boil. ( you will not know for sure how thick your roux will make the dish unless you follow this step.) Turn down the heat to low simmer.

At this point it is time to check thickness and season. If it is to thick just add a little water or clam juice/stock if you have any extra. Once you are satisfied with thickness, add the Tabasco pepper sauce and reserved bacon, sausage and crawfish stir for a minute or so. Taste at this point and add salt, pepper and seasoning spice small amounts at a time until you are satisfied with the flavors.

Add lemon juice, cream and half the green onions and stir on low for 3 minutes. re-taste for seasoning. turn off heat, cover and let the flavors marry for about five minutes.

While this is happening, I get out the bowls, slice some French bread and place under the broiler and find my Ice cream scoop and ladle. Buy time I find the scoop and ladle it's time to check the toast!

I place a heaping scoop of rice in the center of the bowls and ladle the Etouffee over the top. Since Etouffee means smothered or covered, be generous! Garnish with remaining green onions and parsley and serve with the toasted French bread.

For a Creole twist to the above recipe. I render the bacon and sausage in a separate skillet. When I add the Trinity to the drippings, I add a heaping Tbsp of tomato paste to it as well. I just add the garlic and Juice/Stock to this and stir well and add to the roux to thicken. The finished dish calls for a side of fried okra!

Crab and Shrimp stuffed Eggplant

3 Whole eggplants (medium size)

1/2 Pound Lump crab Meat

1/2 Pound medium shrimp peeled

1/4 Pound butter

2 Medium onions (chopped fine)

1/4 Cup parsley (chopped)

1 Stalk of celery (chopped fine)

3 cloves garlic (chopped fine)

2 bell peppers (chopped)

salt and Pepper to taste

1 tsp. paprika

1/2 Cup bread Crumbs

2 tsp. olive oil

Place whole eggplants in large pot with enough water to cover the whole eggplants, and simmer until they are soft. When soft remove from heat and cool in cold water. When cool, cut the eggplants in half and scrape the eggplant out. Be careful not to tear skin. Next sauté onions, celery, bell pepper in butter until soft. Here in the South this is called the Trinity. Add the eggplant meat that you scraped out and the garlic cook until all the liquid had evaporated. Add shrimp and cook about five minutes. Turn fire off and fold in crab meat and parsley and enough bread crumbs to give the mixture consistency. Fill the empty shells with the mixture and lightly spread bread crumbs on top and sprinkle the olive oil on top of each half eggplant, and bake in 350 degree oven for about twenty-five minutes.

Chilled Creamy Tomato Soup

3 cups diced tomatoes or two 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes

1/4 cup each, Bell Pepper, Celery and Onion. Diced

1/2 of a English cucumber. peeled seeded and diced

Salt and pepper

1 green onion, trimmed and chopped

1 Avocado Peeled and sliced length wise into 8 slices

Heavy cream

Paprika

Place the first 4 lines of ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Place the blender into the fridge for at least two hours to chill. If you do not have that much time, just drain some of the tomato juice and add 1 cup of Ice cubes before blending. After chilling, strain into four bowls. Place 2 slices of the Avocado on one side and drizzle some heavy cream around the bowl and top with the chopped green onions and a sprinkle of Paprika.( Olive oil can be used as a drizzle if you want to leave off the cream)

Sweet Potato Salad

2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

 2 tablespoons lemon juice

 1 cup mayonnaise

 2 tablespoons orange juice

 1 tablespoon honey

 1 teaspoon grated orange peel

 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

 1/4 teaspoon salt

 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 1 cup sliced celery

 1/3 cup chopped dates

 1/2 cup chopped pecans

 In a medium saucepan, cook sweet potatoes in boiling salted water just until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes (do not overcook).

 Drain; toss with the lemon juice.

 In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, orange juice, honey, orange peel, ginger, salt and nutmeg. Add the warm potatoes, celery and dates. Toss to coat well. Cover and chill.

Crawfish Dressing

1 large 12" skillet of crumbled cornbread

4 slices bacon chopped, rendered and drained on a paper towel

1⁄2 pound Conecuh Cajun smoked sausage , diced and removed from casing

1 medium onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

2 pounds peeled crawfish tails in fat, chopped

2 green onions tops, chopped

1 jalapeno pepper,seeded and chopped

2 sprigs fresh thyme

6 leaves fresh sage chopped

2 tablespoons cajun seasoning

2 cups chicken stock

1 8 ounce bottle clam juice

1⁄2 cup heavy cream + 1 cap full of Zatarain's liquid crab boil (stir well)

4 eggs, lightly beaten

salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Mix cornbread eggs and all liquid ingredients in a large mixing bowl and set aside.

    Brown sausage in a large skillet that you rendered bacon in over medium-high heat, add the onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the crawfish and chopped sage cook for 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the large mixing bowl of soaking cornbread

    Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir together until well combined. Spoon the dressing into a large greased casserole.

    Bake the dressing in a preheated 350-degree oven until it is firm and golden brown, 15 to 30 minutes. Tooth pick will come out clean like when you check a cake.

Deviled Crab

On the Gulf Coast, the crabs are not very large. I always added a dozen to shrimp or crawfish boils to make stuffed or deviled crab.

4 tablespoons butter + 12 pats

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons minced celery

2 tablespoons minced bell pepper

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon cajun spice

1 teaspoon sage

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves

Pinch cayenne

1 bay leaf

12 boiled crabs, meat removed and top shell cleaned and reserved

2 tablespoons minced parsley leaves

1/4 cup minced green onions

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Pinch ground black pepper

A dash or two of Tabasco or Crystal hot sauce, to taste

1/2 loaf stale French bread, cubed (about 3 cups)

1/2 fine dried bread crumbs, + about 2 tablespoons or so for topping shopping list

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 cups of the liquid used to boil crabs, strained

Preheat oven to 375

Add the 2 cups of liquid to the french bread to soak

In a large skillet heat the butter and, when it begins to foam, add the onion, celery, and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, cajun spice, thyme, cayenne and bay leaf and cook for 1 minute. remove bay leaf and add to soaked bread and stir well

gently fold in the crab meat, parsley, green onions, egg, salt, cayenne, sage and black pepper, 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs, and the heavy cream into the soaked bread and veggies. Stir well to combine. Transfer the crab meat mixture to the cleaned crab shells and sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon of the remaining bread crumbs. Top each crab shell with a pat of butter and bake until golden brown and thoroughly heated, about 20 minutes. Serve Warm