Made Over Blackened Cajun Skillet Fries Recipes

CAJUN ZUCCHINI FRIES

Steps:

• Adjust two oven racks to the top and bottom third of an oven and preheat oven to 425 F. Put the wire racks in the baking sheets and coat each generously with cooking spray.
• Combine the flour and Cajun seasoning in a large re-sealable plastic bag. Combine the eggs and 1/2 teaspoon salt in another large plastic bag; combine the cornmeal, breadcrumbs and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a third large plastic bag.
• Add about half of the zucchini sticks to the bag with the flour and use a combination of your hands and shaking the bag to coat the zucchini. Remove the zucchini and shake off any excess flour. Transfer to the egg wash and repeat until coated. (It's less messy if you use only one hand for the dry ingredients and the other for the wet.) Let any excess egg drip off before transferring to the breadcrumbs and repeat until fully coated (you'll still see some green and white of the zucchini peeking through the breading). Transfer to the prepared baking sheets and coat the breaded zucchini generously with cooking spray (there's no need to turn them). Repeat with the remaining zucchini.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom about halfway through, until golden brown and tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, pickle and hot sauce in a small bowl. Serve with the zucchini fries.

GRILLED BLACKENED CAJUN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Brine the chicken: Combine 4 cups water, 2/3 cup salt, and the brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and whisk until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved. Turn off the heat and transfer to a bowl or pot large enough to submerge the chicken. Stir in 6 cups of ice water and let cool completely. Submerge the chicken in the cooled brine, cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to overnight.
• Take the chicken out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Remove from the brine and pat dry completely.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high indirect heat: For gas grills (with 3 or more burners), turn all the burners to medium-high heat; after about 15 minutes turn off one of the middle burners. For charcoal grills, bank one chimney starter-full of lit and ashed-over charcoal briquettes to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side to avoid flare-ups. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer's guide for best results.)
• Whisk together the paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne, garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Brush the chicken all over with the melted butter, and then pat on all of the dry rub mixture.
• Grill the chicken: Place the chicken breast-side up on the indirect side of the grill, with the legs facing the hotter side of the grill. Cover and cook until an instant-read thermometer reads at least 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding the bone), 50 to 60 minutes. The chicken will be quite dark and blackened in spots.
• Remove from the grill and let rest on a cutting board for at least 20 minutes before carving.

BLACKENED ALLIGATOR

Steps:

• Pound alligator until slightly flattened. Season using the blackening seasoning. Cook in hot oil for approximately 4 to 5 minutes, turning constantly after the first minute. When cooked, drain excess oil. Serve sliced.

MADE-OVER BLACKENED CAJUN SKILLET FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut the potatoes into long wedges about 1-inch thick. Toss the potatoes with the olive oil and Cajun seasoning. Heat an ovenproof large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the potatoes in a single layer. Cook, turning, until browned on all sides, about 15 minutes. Slowly add 1/4 cup water to the skillet and transfer the entire skillet to the oven.
• Continue to cook the potatoes, turning once, until the potatoes are tender and the outsides are crisped, about 20 more minutes. Meanwhile, mix the yogurt with the mustard and a pinch salt. Serve the potatoes warm with the mustard dipping sauce.

CAJUN BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, mix together the black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, oregano, and thyme until thoroughly combined. Press the catfish fillets into the spice mixture to thoroughly coat.
• Arrange a portable heat source outdoors, such as a butane burner or side burner of a gas grill. Melt butter in a glass or metal bowl. Light the burner, and place a large cast-iron skillet onto the burner over high heat. Pour about 1/4 cup of melted butter into the skillet; set remaining 1/2 cup of butter aside.
• When the butter in the skillet is smoking hot, lay the catfish fillets into the skillet. Cook until the spices are burned onto the fillets and the catfish is opaque and flaky inside, about 3 minutes per side. Don't breathe smoke from burning spices. To serve, pour remaining 1/2 cup of butter over the catfish.