SEAFOOD STUFFED FISH WITH RICE PILAF

Directions

STUFFING INSTRUCTIONS: * OVER MEDIUM-HIGH HEAT, MELT BUTTER. * ONCE MELTED, ADD DICED ONION, CELERY, AND BELL PEPPER. * COOK UNTIL THE ONIONS ARE TRANSLUCENT AND CELERY AND BELL PEPPERS ARE SOFT. * ADD SHRIMP AND COOK UNTIL ¾ DONE * ADD CRAWFISH TAILS AND COOK UNTIL SHRIMP ARE FINISHED COOKING * TURN OFF HEAT AND GRADUALLY ADD BREADCRUMBS UNTIL DESIRED STUFFING CONSISTENCY IS REACHED (SHOULD COME TOGETHER WELL, BUT SHOULD NOT BE DRY) * SEASON WITH SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE * REMOVE FROM THE POT AND SPREAD ONTO A SHEET PAN TO COOL. FISH INSTRUCTIONS: * RINSE FILLETS TO ENSURE THEY ARE SCALE-FREE * USING A SHARP KNIFE, CUT A SMALL SLIT OR POCKET INTO THE TOP PORTION OF EACH FILLET * DRIZZLE OR BRUSH EACH FILLET WITH MELTED BUTTER * SPRINKLE CAJUN SEASONING (OR SALT AND PEPPER) ONTO EACH FILLET * PLACE 3-4 OUNCES OF SHRIMP AND CRAWFISH STUFFING INTO THE SLIT OR POCKET OF EACH FILLET * DRIZZLE REMAINING BUTTER (IF ANY) ONTO EACH FILLET * COOKING METHODS: * PLEASE STUFFED FILLETS ONTO A PARCHMENT-LINED BAKING SHEET AND BACK IN A 375°F OVEN UNTIL STUFFING TEMPERATURE REACHES 165°F INTERNAL TEMPERATURE, OR * PLACE STUFFED FILLETS ONTO SOAKED CEDAR PLANS AND PLACE ONTO A PRE-HEATED GRILL AND COOK UNTIL STUFFING TEMPERATURE REACHES 165°F INTERNAL TEMPERATURE. TASSO CREAM SAUCE: * OVER MEDIUM-HIGH HEAT, ADD BUTTER TO SAUCE PAN TO MELT * ONCE MELTED, ADD TASSO HAM AND ALLOW TO COOK FOR 2-3, STIRRING OFTEN SO IT DOESN’T BURN. * ADD ONIONS, CELERY, AND BELL PEPPERS AND COOK UNTIL ONIONS ARE TRANSLUCENT * ADD FLOWER TO PAN AND STIR TO COOK (MAKING A SMALL ROUX) * ADD HEAVY CREAM AND BRING TO A BOIL * REDUCE HEAT AND SIMMER UNTIL THICKENED * FINISH WITH SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE. RICE PILAF: * PLACE CHICKEN STOCK OR BROTH INTO A POT AND BRING TO A SIMMER (YOU MAY ALSO HEAT STOCK IN THE MICROWAVE IN A MICROWAVE-SAFE CONTAINER) * PLACE AN ADDITIONAL HEAVY BOTTOM 2 QUART SAUCE POT ONTO THE STOVE OVER MEDIUM HEAT * ADD UNSALTED BUTTER TO POT AND MELT * ONCE BUTTER BEGINS TO BUBBLE, ADD THE ONION AND SAUTE FOR 30 SECONDS TO 1 MINUTE (DO NOT BROWN ONIONS) * ADD RICE, SALT, AND WHITE PEPPER TO POT AND STIR WELL TO COMPLETELY COAT THE RICE GRAINS WITH THE BUTTER AND COMPLETELY INCORPORATE ALL INGREDIENTS * ADD SIMMERING CHICKEN STOCK OR BROTH TO THE RICE POT * COVER POT WITH A TIGHT-FITTING LID AND INCREASE STOVE HEAT TO HIGH * BRING CONTENTS OF THE RICE POT TO A BOIL * ONCE BOILING, TURN DOWN AND SIMMER FOR 5 -7 MINUTES * TURN OFF, LEAVE COVERED (DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER) AND ALLOW RICE TO STEAM FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES * REMOVE COVER AFTER 20 MINUTES AND FLUFF RICE TO SERVE: * PLACE 1-1/2 CUP RICE PILAF ON PLATE. * PLACE COOKED STUFFED FISH OVER RICE. * TOP WITH TASSO CREAM SAUCE. * SERVE WITH YOUR FAVORITE VEGETABLE. * ENJOY!