Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Crawfish 101 ~ Boiling

Crawfish 101 ~ Boiling

A crawfish boil on the first warm day in spring is a must, just like
having that first steaming bowl of gumbo when the temps get below 70 in the late fall.

Crawfish boils bring southerners together for that
 company picnic, spring birthday bash, Lenten season,
 and my favorite day in spring Mother's Day.

This is a basic crawfish lesson.


Get your pot add burner ready.
 If it's windy you will need a shield to protect the flame.


   Make sure to keep the sack that the crawfish comes in.
You will want to boil your potatoes and corn in it.
To see where the crawfish came from click HERE.



Dump the crawfish into a wash tub and rinse. 
You will want to remove any that may have died in transport. 


Fill the pot with water and a little vegetable oil.
(the veggie oil is supposed to make them peel easier)


Add seasoning along with the potatoes and corn.  
We had a few lemons, so we threw them in.


Bring seasoned water and the sack of potatoes and corn to a boil...


While waiting on the water to boil, put the crawfish into the basket.
There you can re rinse the crawfish if they need it.  
 Lower basket into boiling water. 
Bring back to a rolling boil for 3 - 3 1/2  minutes depending on the size of crawfish.


Turn off heat and at this point add any thing you would like.
Let crawfish soak for 20 - 25 minutes with the lid on.



We throw all kinds of things into the pot...
including but not limited to
hot dogs or sausage,whole sweet onions, mushrooms, artichokes.  You get the idea...


Drain and then pour crawfish out onto a table layered with newspaper.
Let cool, if you can wait
and
ENJOY

 Why the men love to cook crawfish?
because...
Where can you cook the main meal and all the sides in one pot.
Dump the food on a table outside for the wife & kids and
no dishes when everyones done...


9 comments:

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

Not a fan of the mudbugs, Melissa! When I was little, my stupid brothers would put them in my hair and completely freak me out, so I don't go near them. I love the corn and potatoes, but you will never convince me to eat one. Evah! haha

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Gosh! Can I come to your house?! LOL! Those look soooo good! I had to laugh when they brought the La. kid, on American Idol, a whole tub of them on stage last week! He was missing them!

Heidi @ Decor & More said...

Oh, now I'm so homesick for NOLA and my Tulane crawfish boil days!! Fun times. :) Good eatin'!

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

We had a neighbor who would host a Mud Bug party each year. Fun party...great food but I have to pass when it comes to their heads!

Mrs. H said...

This looks delicious! I have never thought about the mushrooms, I bet it's sooooo good! We do a low country boil with corn, smoked sausage, new potatoes, and shrimp...yum!!!

Nancy Hood said...

Melissa! Our sons in love have just opened The Crawfish Barn in Pearl, MS and when I saw your post tonight I knew I had to put the two together. Here's the link and I enjoy, as always, reading your thoughts. Have a blessed day, Nancy

http://johnhoodfamily.blogspot.com/2012/03/crawfish-crayfish.html

Cotton Peony said...

OH rats, again.. I missed it.

But Missy, you do have the best photos anywhere! I can taste them just from the shot.

Is that what you did over the weekend? Do tell.

with love,
Cotton Peony

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

I would love some crawfish-so far there have not been any in th grocery here. I guess I am just going to have to make a run down to LA.

Patsy said...

Any craw fish left, Missy! We haven;t had a crawfish boil since we left New Orleans. Have yet to find any decent ones ins restaurants! I have joined your blog! Patsy