Crawfish Pie

I've been wanting to do a savory pie for awhile now; I've had a couple in mind but have decided to start with a Crawfish pie. 

 Now for my northern Family & Friends, Crayfish "also know as Crawfish /southern or CrawDads /nothern" are closely related to Lobsters, Crabs & Shrimp, & have a flavor that's a combination there of. <(click 4 more)

The best example, that's similar in flavor & texture to this dish, would be stuffed Crab, with a little more zing; in a pie shell instead of a crab shell.  If you like stuffed crab &/or crab cakes, then you'll love Crawfish Pie!

Ok, let's get started.   You can find boilded crawfish tails frozen at Walmart.  They are farm raised & come vacuum packed in their own fat stock in a 12 to 16oz bag.

Ingredients:

• 1 pk Crawfish tails, w/fat stock, thawed
• 1 cup chopped Onion
• 3/4 cup chopped Celery
• 3/4 cup diced Bell pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh minced Garlic
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 1/2 tsp kosher Salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/3 tsp red pepper
• 1/3 tsp white pepper
• 3/4 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp basil
• 1 tsp Gumbo File'
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp Tabasco
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 4 tbsp Butter
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 to 5 tbsp of a deep blonde colored roux
• 2- 2pk Pillsbury pie crust

On medium high, add Olive oil to a 4 qt skillet, once hot, add the onion & caramelize.  Next, add the celery, green peppers & garlic, then reduce heat to medium & simmer 5 min.s, stirring occasionally. 

Next, add the butter, chicken stock & all the dry spices "stirring frequently" reducing the chicken stock down to 25%; remove from heat, then add the Tabasco, roux & mix thoroughly. Next, slowly drizzle in the heavy cream while thoroughly mixing. Now, take the bag of crawfish tails "with all the juices" & pour on top, then gently fold the tails & mixture together.

Let sand for 10 min.s, then fill your lower pie shells & put the top crust on & pinch your edges good, then egg wash the top. We are now ready to bake @ 400 °  for about 50 min.s until nice & golden brown. Let stand for 15-20 min.s before slicing & serving, goes great with a salad.  

enjoy, Todd 

Makes two pies & serves 8-12 people
Prep  = 70-90 min.
Total = 2.5 hrs