How do i boil the best crawfish ?

Answer 1

When I worked on the Steamboat Mississppi Queen,based out of Nawleans LA, we had crew parties a couple times a month, during crawfish season they would be a crawfish boil at least once a month. This is a recipe I got from one of the engine crew who is a true cajun, he did the cooking when we had the crawfish boils instead of the cooks.

25# fresh live crawfish
1/2 pt. of Zatrains liquid crab boil (must have this and if you like it a little spicier add some ground cayenne pepper as well)
5# new potatoes
One cajun dozen ears of corn cut in half
Clove of fresh garlic
One bunch of celery
6 medium onions peeled and left whole
4 fresh lemons
1 round box of salt
Plenty of beer
Picnic table
Old newspaper
10 people or 4 cajuns (to eat all this wonderful food)

Optional ingredients andouille (pronounced an' doo wee) and/or boudin (pronounced boo'dan) sausage

One thing you must always remember about Crawfish....first separate the live Crawfish from the Crawfish that won't make it to the pot. Next you must purge the Crawfish. Get a large tub of water or two large ice chests. You will use this to purge the crawfish. Place 2/3 of the box of salt in water. Stir the water with the salt and then place the Crawfish into the water. Let the Crawfish purge for 7 minutes. Remove the Crawfish and place in an ice chest until ready to cook.
Fill a large pot with fresh water half full, place on cooker, and start the fire. Place the rest of salt into the water, add crab boil, and (cayenne pepper if desired) and 4 lemons cut in half--squeeze each half into the pot and drop in the lemon. Separate the garlic into pods and cut the small ends of each garlic pod, then drop them into pot add the celery Let the water come to a boil for two minutes--that way the spices will mix well. Next drop the whole onions and new potatoes into pot let boil till potatoes are almost done, add corn and (andouille and/or boudin if desired) bring back to a boil and add crawfish and boil for 4 more minutes turn off fire and let set while you prepare table. Lay old news paper out on picnic table, drain and dump all ingredients from pot on top of the news paper. Have plenty of ice cold beer and enjoy!!!!

Answer 2

Crab Boil
1/4 cup mustard seeds
3 tablespoons coriander seeds
2 tablespoons whole allspice
2 tablespoons dillseeds
1 teaspoon whole cloves
6 small dried red chilies crumbled, or 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
8 bay leaves
Combine all ingredient in a jar.When ready to use, place in a square of cheesecloth, draw up the corners and secure with kitchen twine. Add this bag to the pot of boiling water.


Crab or Crawfish Boil
2 recipes of Crab Boil (see above)
8 quarts water
1 dozen small red potatoes, scrubbed
2 large onions, unpeeled, cut in half crosswise
2 lemons, halved
1 1/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cayenne
1 large head garlic, cut in half crosswise
1/2 pound andouille or kielbasa sausage
4 ears fresh corn, shucked and cut in half
10 pounds crawfish or crabs

Put the bags of seasoning mix, the water, potatoes, onions, lemons, 1 1/4 cups of the salt, 1/4 cup of the cayenne, and the garlic in a large stockpot. Bring to a boil, cover, and boil for 15 minutes.

Add the sausage, corn, and crawfish or crabs. Using a long-handled spoon, stir around and press the contents of the pot down well into the water. Cover the pot and return to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes.

Turn off the heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon cayenne.

Using the long-handled spoon, push down the contents in the pot. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Drain.

Divide the potatoes, onions, corn, and sausage into equal portions and serve with the seafood on large platters or trays.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Answer 3

Boil a large pot of water (enough to come over the top of the fish once they are in the pot), and add 1/8 c Old Bay Seasoning per 2 quarts of water used. Once the water is boiling, reduce heat a bit, add fish, and cover and cook 15 minutes.

Answer 4

Buy Zatarain's spices or liquid. Follow directions on the label, but double all the salt and spices called for. I promise, this will not make it too hot, but give plenty of flavor. This is how folks in La. boil crawfish.

Answer 5

i like to get some "old Bay" crab boil seasoning add it to the water. get the water boiling first, then dump in the crawfish, leave them just till the shells turn color, you don't want them to get tough. then enjoy!!!! oh can I come over for some? I'll bring fresh french bread from Genova Bakery in Stockton Ca. It's the best!!!!

Answer 6

Gee, let me see? Water?