Swamp Boiled Platter Recipes

THE SAMPLER PLATTER

Steps:

• First, combine the cornmeal, flour and salt together and mix. This is the breading mixture that will cover all the seafood items on the sampler. Put the milk in a container and have ready to dredge the seafood.
• Heat a deep-fryer or large pot with enough oil to deep fry to 350 degrees F. When ready to begin cooking, dip the fillet into the milk and then lightly hand bread using the breading mixture. Carefully slide the fillet into the oil and fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Raise the fish from the oil and transfer a perforated pan to remove the excess oil.
• Repeat the same procedure with the other seafood. For the shrimp, oysters, scallops and clam strips, dip each into the milk and then lightly hand bread. Use a shaker basket to remove excess breading. Fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the seafood from the oil and transfer a perforated pan to remove the excess oil.
• For the stuffed crab, carefully drop right into the deep-fryer and fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the seafood from the oil and transfer a perforated pan to remove the excess oil.
• To serve, place the flounder fillet, stuffed crab, shrimp, scallops, oysters and clam strips on a large plate. Then serve with desired sides.

BOILED SHRIMP

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups of water to boil and add the Cajun seasoning. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and drain. In a separate bowl, combine the mango, onion, vinegar, nutmeg, to taste, and cinnamon, to taste. After shrimp is cooked, toss the shrimp with the above mango mixture. To serve, place mixture in radicchio.

MOO YAI PLATTER

Steps:

• Put the pork strips and flat pieces into two separate bowls. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon black pepper powder and 1 teaspoon salt to the bowl with the strips. Add the garlic, cilantro and the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon pepper powder and 1 teaspoon salt to the bowl with the flat pieces. Marinate both bowls, covered, overnight.
• For the Moo Ping: Thread the flat pork on skewers. Cook the skewers in a pan on medium heat, 5 to 6 minutes.
• For the Moo Todd: Heat the oil to 305 degrees F in a deep-fryer. Deep fry the pork strips for a few minutes.

EMERIL'S FAVORITE BOILED SHRIMP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the peppercorns, coriander seeds, celery, tarragon, thyme, parsley, Essence, salt, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, white wine, water and bay leaves and bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 5 minutes. Add the shrimp to the boiling water, stir, cover and remove from the heat. Let stand for 8 to 10 minutes, or until shrimp are just cooked through.
• Strain in a colander and transfer the shrimp to a large bowl. Discard the cooking liquid and seasonings. Refrigerate the shrimp until well chilled, about 1 hour. While the shrimp are chilling, make the Cocktail Sauce.
• When ready to serve, divide the shrimp among 4 small bowls, and hang them on the rim of each bowl. Divide the cocktail sauce into 4 equal portions and place in the bottom of each bowl. Garnish each bowl with a lemon wedge. Alternatively, you can arrange a layer of crushed ice in the bottom of 4 bowls, put a small ramekin of the cocktail sauce in the ice and arrange the shrimp on the ice around the sauce.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
• Combine all ingredients in a small non-reactive bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

FRENCH CHARCUTERIE PLATTER

Steps:

• Arrange everything on a platter and serve.

LAST MINUTE ANTIPASTA PLATTER

Steps:

• Use a separate cutting board for prepping and place a nice wooden board for the display in front of you. Unwrap all the meats and cheeses and lay them out next to your display board.
• Place the baby mozzarella in a small dish and set on 1 corner of the board.
• Roll the prosciutto like a burrito, fold the mortadella in half 2 or 3 times, and wrap the cappicolla into a horn shape and place it creatively on the cutting board. (There is no set way to roll the meats, just go with the way the meat is cut).
• Slice a bit of each cheese, the soppressata, and pepperoni and place on board in between folded meats. Scatter board with artichoke hearts, olives, pepperoncinis, and roasted red peppers.
• To finish, take a few basil leaves sliced chiffonade-style and mix with the minced garlic and olive oil. Drizzle over the entire board. Garnish with whole basil leaves and serve with cucumber slices as an alternative to crackers.

BROILED FISHERMAN'S PLATTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Split the lobster lengthwise and extract the meat. Lay the lobster meat on top of the shell. Remove the pin bones from the yellowtail flounder and cut a "v" at the top of the fish.
• Place all of the seafood in a 9-inch pie plate. Add the butter, white wine, and paprika. Bake for 12 minutes. Arrange on a serving plate and serve with a lemon wedge and tartar sauce, if desired.