Southern Nights

Shrimp Scampi Po-Boy on Garlic Bread

1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon Essence
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons chopped garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch cayenne
1/4 cup dry white wine or Vermouth
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/4 cup chopped green onions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chiffonade basil
1 loaf Garlic Bread, recipe follows
Finely grated Parmesan cheese, garnish

In a bowl, lightly season the shrimp with the Essence.
In a large skillet or saute pan, melt the butter and heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne and cook, stirring, until the garlic is soft and fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the wine is reduced by half. Lower the heat to medium-high, add the shrimp, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and lemon zest and cook, stirring, until the shrimp are opaque and starting to turn pink, about 2 minutes. Add the green onions and cook until the shrimp are pink. Stir in the parsley and basil and remove from the heat. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

To serve, spoon the shrimp and sauce into the bottom half of the prepared garlic bread. Sprinkle lightly with cheese and top with the remaining garlic bread. Cut into 4 portions and serve immediately.

Garlic Bread:
1 loaf fresh French or Italian bread, about 22 inches long, cut in half lengthwise
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Emeril's Original Essence
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dehydrated garlic flakes, recipe follows
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.

With a fork or your fingers, pull out the excess bread and hollow slightly the center of the loaf.

In a bowl, cream together the remaining ingredients and spread evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake until just golden brown and bubbly.

Serve hot.

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
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Recipe Courtesy Emeril Lagasse via The Food Network


New Orleans Coleslaw

1 head white or savoy cabbage, weighing about 2 pounds before trimming
2 carrots
2 sticks celery
4 scallions
1 cup best quality, preferably organic, store-bought mayonnaise
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) buttermilk
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup pecans, fairly finely chopped

Trim and shred the cabbage; you can do this either by hand or with a food processor.
Peel and grate the carrots, and finely slice the celery and scallions.

Whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, maple syrup and vinegar and coat the shredded vegetables with this dressing.

Season with salt and pepper and toss with the chopped nuts.

Recipe Courtesy of Nigella Lawson via The Food Network


Key Lime Pie from Joe's Stone Crab

Graham Cracker Crust:
1/3 of a 1-pound box graham crackers
5 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1/3 cup sugar
Filling:
3 egg yolks
2 teaspoons lime zest
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup freshly squeezed Key lime juice, or store bought

Topping:
1 cup heavy or whipping cream chilled
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

For the graham cracker crust:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Break up the graham crackers; place in a food processor and process to crumbs. If you don't have a food processor, place the crackers in a large plastic bag; seal and then crush the crackers with a rolling pin. Add the melted butter and sugar and pulse or stir until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom and side of a pie pan, forming a neat border around the edge. Bake the crust until set and golden, 8 minutes. Set aside on a wire rack; leave the oven on.

For the filling:
Meanwhile, in an electric mixer with the wire whisk attachment, beat the egg yolks and lime zest at high speed until very fluffy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add the condensed milk and continue to beat until thick, 3 or 4 minutes longer. Lower the mixer speed and slowly add the lime juice, mixing just until combined, no longer. Pour the mixture into the crust. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the filling has just set. Cool on a wire rack, then refrigerate. Freeze for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

For the topping:

Whip the cream and the confectioners' sugar until nearly stiff. Cut the pie into wedges and serve very cold, topping each wedge with a large dollop of whipped cream.

Recipe courtesy of Joe's Stone Crab via The Food Network