Cajun Crab Stew at the Office!

Anyone up for some Crab Stew? We just got a shipment of Dungeness Crabs in, so I'm going to make some of this outstanding stew for the office. Looks like it's going to be crab stew for lunch today! Who can complain about that?

Ingredients

• 6 Whole dungeness Crabs
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
  
• 1 cup chopped bell pepper
  
• 1 cup chopped celery
  
• 3/4 cup chopped green onions
  
• 1/3 cup chopped parsley
  
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  
• 1 tsp chopped garlic
  
• 1/2 tsp creole seasoning
  
• 5 drops liquid crab boil
  
• 2 bay leaves
  
• 2 slices of lemon
  
• salt and pepper
  
• Cooked rice

Recipe Directions
Clean the crabs using a small brush to remove any loose dirt. Clip the legs using a fish skinner. Remove lungs and intestines and retain fat and eggs if you wish. Break the crabs in half. Make a roux using about 1/4 cup of flour. Add onions and saute for about 10 minutes. Add celery, garlic and bell pepper and sauté another 15 minutes. Increase the fire and slowly add water a little at a time allowing the stew to come to a boil before adding more. You can also use shrimp stock if you have it. Continue to add water until a stew-like consistency is obtained (not too thin). Add cayenne, salt, pepper, creole seasoning, lemon, liquid crab boil and bay leaves. Add the crabs first and stir them into the stew. Cook them for 15 minutes on a medium fire stirring occasionally. Lower the fire very low, add green onions and parsley, cover and simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Taste the stew and add salt and pepper to your liking. The longer you let it sit the more liquid and taste the crabs will absorb. Serve over cooked rice.
Source:Crab Stew

Veal Chops with Creole Mustard Crust

Good Monday foodies! I usually don't have a lot of energy on Mondays, but today is different. I hope everyone had an outstanding Valentine's Day ;)
Tonight I'm going to be preparing some veal chops Creole style. I'm also toying with the idea of making my very first King Cake soon. I have been doing some research on it, and I'm pretty confidant I won't completely mess it up! Or, it will look like crap and still taste amazing...either way it works for me. I just like eating. The pot of Jambalaya I made on Friday was AWESOME! I doubled the recipe I posted because I had quite a few friends coming over. A good time was definitely had by all. I should do that again sometime soon.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Creole mustard
  
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  
• 2 green onions, chopped, divided
  
• 2 8-ounce veal chops
• Ground allspice
  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
  
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
  
• 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs made from crust-less French bread

Recipe Directions
Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 450°F. Mix together mustard, mayonnaise, and 1/2 of green onions in small bowl. Sprinkle chops on both sides with salt, pepper, and allspice. Heat oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add veal; saute until brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer veal to small rimmed baking sheet. Add garlic to drippings in skillet; stir 15 seconds. Add breadcrumbs; saute until golden and crisp, about 1 minute. Spread half of mustard mixture thickly atop each chop. Spoon crumbs atop mustard mixture. Bake until thermometer inserted horizontally into chops registers 135°F for medium-rare, about 7 minutes. Transfer to plates. Sprinkle with remaining green onions.
Source:Creole Style Veal Chops