Emerilized Pilau

  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Total: 1 hr 10 min
  • Prep: 30 min
  • Cook: 40 min
Share This Recipe

Ingredients

1 quart shrimp stock

18 large Gulf oysters, shucked

2 tablespoons butter

4 ounces Smithfield Ham

1 1/2 cups onions

1 tablespoon garlic

3 medium (1 1/2 cups) fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped

Salt

Crushed red pepper flakes

2 cups long grain white rice

1 cup English peas, frozen

Essence, recipe follows

12 large softshell crabs, cleaned

3 cups corn flour

2 eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon of milk

2 cups Lemon Butter Sauce, hot, recipe follows

1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley leaves

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

LEMON BUTTER SAUCE

1 cup dry white wine

3 lemons, peeled and quartered

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 tablespoon minced shallots

1 teaspoon salt

3 turns freshly ground black pepper

1 dash Worcestershire sauce

1 dash hot pepper sauce

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut up, at room temperature

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  1. In a Dutch oven, over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the ham and render until crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the onions. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and tomatoes. Season with salt and pinch of pepper flakes. Continue to saute for 3 minutes. Stir in the rice and stock. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Season the oysters with Essence. Add the oysters and peas, continue to cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper. Season the softshell crabs with Essence. Season the corn flour and egg wash with Essence. Dredge the softshell crabs in the seasoned flour. Dip each softshell in the egg wash. Dredge the softshell crabs for a second time in the seasoned flour, coating completely. Carefully drag the legs of the softshell crabs in the oil for 30 seconds. Then carefully drop the softshell crabs in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Season with Essence. To serve, lay two of the softshell crabs, legs up on the bottom of each plate. Spoon the pilau in the center of each softshell. Drizzle the sauce over the top and garnish with parsley.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

  1. Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

LEMON BUTTER SAUCE

  1. Heat a large nonreactive skillet over high heat. When the skillet is hot, add the wine, lemons, garlic, and shallots. Cook for 3 minutes, breaking up and mashing the lemons with a wire whisk. Stir in the salt, pepper, Worcestershire, and hot sauce and cook until the mixture is somewhat syrupy, for about 3 minutes. Stir in the cream and cook for 1 minute. Over low heat, whisk in the butter a few pats at a time. When all of the butter has been added, remove from the heat, but continue whisking until all of the butter is incorporated into the sauce. Strain the sauce, pressing all of the liquid into a bowl. Stir in the parsley. Serve immediately, or keep warm for a few minutes until ready to use.
  2. Recipe courtesy of Emeril Lagasse

Fudge Factor

Sifted: Plan-Ahead Valentine's Day Desserts Feb 6, 2013

By: Lauren Miyashiro

Get our take on the best in food news, recipes and more from around the web, including the best Valentine's Day recipes.

The Craziest Chocolate Creations for American Chocolate Week Mar 17, 2013

It’s officially American Chocolate Week. Check out photos of mind-blowing chocolate creations.

Review: Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert's Chocolate Bar Nov 16, 2012

Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert have teamed up with master chocolatier Christopher Curtin to create the "Good & Evil" chocolate b …

Over-the-Top-Delicious Treats to Satisfy Your Food Obsession

Are you infatuated with ice cream? Do you lust over lobster? Swoon at the sight of chocolate? Here's the best recipe for each food …

Train Frontman Pat Monahan's Dark Chocolate Obsession Feb 11, 2013

By: Cameron Curtis

Train frontman Pat Monahan, an avid chocolate lover, shared with us his top five reasons for eating dark chocolate.

Chocolate Desserts

Indulge in our decadent chocolate desserts, from cookies and cakes to puddings, souffles and truffles.