February 2016 Marsh & Bayou | Page 19

Camp COOKIN’ by Chef Phil Farris Crabmeat Au Gratin Eggplant Poboy Marsh & Bayou Ingredients for crabmeat au gratin: 1/3 1 ¼ ½ 1 2 1 ½ ¼ ½ 1 cup celery (small dice) cup onions (small dice) lb. Unsalted butter (1 stick) cup flour can Pet Evaporated Milk (12 oz.) egg yolks teaspoon Creole seasoning (like Tony’s) teaspoon cayenne pepper teaspoon black pepper lb. (8 oz.) grated cheddar cheese lb. Lump or claw crabmeat Chicken stock as needed Ingredients for Eggplant: 2 eggplants 1 cup each of corn flour/corn meal (50-50 blend) 3 tablespoons Creole seasoning ½ cup Creole mustard Beer Peanut oil for frying Finally, add the crabmeat. Put heat down to low while you prepare the eggplant. Slice the eggplant lengthwise as shown in picture. Add the corn meal and flour together in a large bowl. Mix in the Creole seasoning. In a separate bowl, add the Creole mustard with about 2 ounces of beer. Whisk until blended. Pour enough oil in a large skillet to a depth of about ¼ inch. Heat to 350 degrees. Dip eggplant in Creole beer batter, then into flour/corn meal mixture. Shake off excess flour and fry on each side about 1-2 minutes (depends on how thick you have cut the eggplant). Drain on paper towels. Assemble: Method: In a 4-6 quart pot melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and celery, sauté until wilted (about 15 minutes). Blend in the flour a little at a time. Continue cooking for 5 minutes. Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly. Next add the cheese, pepper, cayenne, egg yolks and Creole seasoning. Stir until cheese is melted. If th