Eggplant Pontchartrain Recipes

PONTCHARTRAIN SAUCE (PAPPADEAUX'S)

Steps:

• To make shrimp stock, combine reserved shrimp shells, chopped vegetables and water in a large stockpot; simmer over medium heat for about 30 minutes until liquid is reduced to 3 cups; strain and set aside.
• Sauté shrimp in 1 tablespoons butter until turning pink and set aside.
• Make roux by melting 4 tablespoons butter in saucepan until about to turn brown; whisk in 4 tablespoons flour until mixture thickens to a paste; cook until it turns a light, golden brown. Set aside.
• In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoons butter and add garlic and remaining onion; sauté over medium heat 2 minutes.
• Add shrimp stock and crushed bouillon cube; stir and let simmer.
• While the stock is simmering, melt 1 ¼ stick of butter in a separate saucepan until it turns golden brown then set aside.
• Add roux to stock mixture and stir until fully incorporated; simmer for 3-5 minutes.
• Whisk melted butter into stock until fully incorporated then whisk in ¼ cup Madeira wine until fully incorporated; mix in Cajun seasoning and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
• Add 6 oz. back fin crab meat and cooked shrimp into sauce; simmer for 3-5 minutes and then ready to serve.

EGGPLANT PONTCHARTRAIN

Steps:

• Make the eggplant according to the instructions for my Eggplant Parmesan (recipe here).
• While the eggplant is baking, make the sauce. In a medium frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter, then add the onion and garlic and saute until the onion is soft and translucent. Add in the peppers and mushrooms. Cover and cook for a few minutes, then remove the cover and stir in the wine, a bit at a time. Cook for a while until the mushrooms are tender, then add the seasoning and then the cream cheese a bit at a time and stir until the cream cheese is nicely melted and incorporated into the sauce. Stir in the crab meat and shrimp and cook just until hot (or until the shrimp turns pink).
• To serve: place several eggplant rounds on each plate and top with sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley or oregano leaves. Enjoy!

EGGS PONTCHARTRAIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bake bacon in a single layer on a sheet pan for 10 to 15 minutes. When crisp break bacon in halves. Set aside.
• Pour cold water into a 10-inch saute pan to a depth of about 2 inches. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat so that the surface of the water barely shimmers. Add the vinegar. Break 4 of the eggs into individual saucers, then gently slide them out 1 at a time into the water and, with a large spoon, and lift the white over the yolk. Repeat the lifting once or twice to completely enclose each yolk. Poach until the whites are set and the yolks feel firm yet soft when touched gently, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and either serve immediately, or place in a shallow pan or large bowl of cold water.
• Repeat with the remaining eggs, adding more water as needed to keep the depth at 2 inches, and bringing the water to a simmer before adding the eggs.
• To serve, reheat the eggs as necessary by slipping them into simmering water for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Place 2 toasted English muffin halves on each of 4 plates and lay 2 half strips of bacon on each. Place 1 poached egg on top of each muffin half and drizzle with the Tasso Hollandaise. Arrange the oysters on top of the eggs and around each plate, garnishing with the chopped green onions and parsley, and serve immediately.
• In the top of a double boiler, or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, whisk the egg yolks with the lemon juice and 2 teaspoons water until egg yolks are thick and pale yellow. Remove the double boiler or bowl and saucepan from the heat and gradually add the butter, whisking constantly to thicken. Add enough tepid water to thin to pouring consistency. Add the tasso, salt, and cayenne and whisk well to blend. Adjust the seasoning, to taste.
• Serve immediately, or cover to keep warm for up to 10 minutes, whisking occasionally to keep from separating.
• In a bowl, combine the buttermilk with 1 tablespoon of the Essence. Add the oysters and marinate for 20 minutes.
• Combine the masa harina and flour with the remaining Essence in a shallow dish.
• In a deep-fryer or a medium, heavy pot with high sides, heat the oil to 360 degrees F.
• Dredge the oysters in the flour mixture and shake the pieces in a strainer to remove any excess. Carefully add to the hot oil in batches, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the oysters with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, and serve immediately.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch
• Published by William Morrow, 1993.