Old Fashioned Cushaw Pie Recipe Recipe For Shrimp Recipe For Shrimp

SHRIMP POT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, whisk egg and water until well blended. Lightly dust work surface with flour. Unfold puff pastry and dock dough with a fork. Using a 4-inch ring, cut 16 circles. Set 4 circles on a nonstick baking sheet. These are the base of the pot pies. Discard scraps. Using a 3-inch metal ring, cut circles in the center of the 12 remaining circles. Remove 4 of the 3-inch circles to the prepared baking sheet. These are the tops. Brush the outer edge of the 4-inch circles with the egg wash. Lay 1 of the 12 rings on top. Brush egg wash on that ring and place another ring on top. Repeat 1 more time until you have 3 rings stacked on top of each other. Repeat with remaining circles until you have 4 assembled. Brush the edges and tops with egg wash and bake in the middle of the oven until golden, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, season the shrimp with cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Saute the shrimp, 1 minute per side. Remove shrimp and set aside. Add remaining butter to the pan and saute carrots, celery, mushrooms, and thyme, until softened about 10 minutes. Add wine, bring to a simmer and cook until most of the wine has evaporated. Add the cream and bring back to a simmer until the sauce thickens to a gravy consistency, about 12 to 15 minutes. Place the shrimp back into the sauce to coat. Remove thyme and season with salt and white pepper. Ladle the shrimp mixture into the pastry puff bowls and top with the smaller puff circles.

CUSHAW PIE

Steps:

• Sift together sugar and spices and add to cooked, pureed squash.
• Beat in eggs one at a time.
• Add cream and mix well.
• Bake in unbaked pie shell 10 minutes at 450, then 40 minutes at 350. (If you use a deep dish pie crust, add an additional 15-20 minutes to the last leg of cooking.).
• Pie is done with the edges are set and brown but the middle still has just a bit of movement, like a custard. A knife or toothpick inserted should come out clean.
• Cool completely on a rack before cutting or refrigerating. Can be eaten immediately, refrigerated for a few days, or frozen for later enjoyment.
• COOKING THE SQUASH:.
• Cushaw is easiest cooked by cutting it length-wise (this will take a little muscle and a serrated knife or small, clean hand saw), removing the inner pulp and seeds, and then baking the hull, skin still on, in a 350 degree oven on a lined baking sheet. It's done when the flesh is soft and the skin slides off easily - about 1 hour.
• It can be cooked more quickly by slicing the gourd lengthwise, then cutting away the rind and cutting the cushaw flesh into chunks. Boil or steam until fork-tender.
• Puree the cooked cushaw flesh, rind/skin removed, in a food processor or blender in small batches until it is smooth and lump-free. You can also use a potato masher for a more rustic feel, but the resulting pie will be more lumpy, rather than a smooth, custard-like texture.
• Be sure to drain the cushaw thoroughly or the pie will end up too watery. I usually put the cooked, pureed pulp in a strainer, place the strainer over a bowl, and then cover and refrigerate overnight.
• One cushaw will render enough pulp to make several pies, depending on the size. The leftovers freeze wonderfully in 1 cup portions and will save you from having to process it all again next time!