In Texas, crawfish season starts in earnest in the spring and can go into the early fall because crawfish is a key ingredient in Cajun and Creole cuisine, which is coveted by Texans. These miniature lobster-looking crustaceans are a favorite in the South, perfect for everything from family get togethers to holiday celebrations to a good old weekend get-together, and there is always something to celebrate!
The Role of Crawfish in Southern Culinary Traditions
Commercial crawfish had its humble beginnings in the late 1800s but today, crawfish have become a major export of Louisiana- which accounts for well over three-quarters of the nation’s crawfish harvest. To say crawfish farming is a booming industry is a bit of an understatement.
Historically, crawfish boils have been a prized Southern culinary tradition and a way of bringing the family together. Picture dear family and friends gathered in the backyard enjoying a cold beverage and visiting while the crawfish cooks.
However, because a slower paced life and leisure time is often considered a thing of the past in our addicted-to-busy society, some people today choose to purchase their crawfish already cooked and ready to eat from local Houston Cajun restaurants. This is understandable for someone who wants to keep the Southern crawfish tradition alive, but without all the hours of preparation.
Popular Cajun and Creole Dishes Featuring Crawfish
Because crawfish is such a key ingredient in Cajun and creole cuisine, world renowned chefs have come up with dozens of ways to enjoy this protein. While creations can range from crawfish subs to crawfish macaroni and beyond, there are a few tried and true classics that just never get old:
- Crawfish étouffée. This New Orleans-style dish is not quite a stew, but not exactly a bisque either. While the base of this dish is usually comprised of flour, broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, Cajun seasonings, and bay leaf, it also boasts butter, bell peppers, yellow onion, garlic, celery, diced tomatoes, and crawfish tails. This savory dish is served in a bowl and is often topped with white rice.
- This popular dish begins with a roux of flour and either butter or oil. Then a variety of chopped vegetables like onion, bell peppers, celery, okra, and fire-roasted tomatoes are added to it along with some water, special Cajun seasoning, and crawfish tails. This is particularly a favorite when the weather turns cooler. It is frequently served with either a side of bread or rice, which some people may choose to add into the gumbo bowl.
- For many people, making crawfish bisque can be an event that lasts the whole day. Bisque is a delightfully creamy and flavorful dish that uses almost the entire crawfish. Prepping the crawfish for this dish can take quite a while. The bisque involves making seafood stock, stuffing and baking crawfish, and making the roux and soup. It is truly a labor of love that most will agree is well worth the effort.
- Known as a comfort food dish, jambalaya is much like its name sounds- a jumbled mix of many ingredients that come together to make one amazing dish. Ingredients like celery, onion, bell pepper, Cajun seasoning, crawfish, broth, and rice make this dish a popular one!
Pro Tip: The inclusion of tomatoes can be a sticky point between Cajun and Creole dishes. Much of the time, those dishes without tomatoes but plenty of Cajun seasoning are considered Cajun. In contrast, many dishes that include Cajun seasoning and tomatoes are usually referred to as Creole.
Making Crawfish a Key Ingredient at Your Next Cajun and Creole Dinner
Although you can have a crawfish boil at your home on a day when you have plenty of time to cook the entrée and all the fixings, sometimes it is nice to skip a step and buy crawfish ready-made. Less time cooking in the kitchen means more time to spend with the people you love.
By ordering crawfish from a reputable Cajun restaurant like 7SPICE Cajun, you can still enjoy the community of a crawfish boil without all the work. Some of the most popular crawfish dishes that are top picks when it comes to seafood takeout include:
- Crawfish By the Pound: For those that are all about crawfish and prefer to forgo the sides to save room for the main event, most Cajun restaurants will offer crawfish sold by the pound.
- Crawfish Combo: This is a meal tailor made for the consummate crawfish lover. It generally comes with a couple of pounds of delicious crawfish and a tasty side of red potatoes and corn on the cob.
- Étouffée: If étouffée is your meal of choice, look for a batch that comes with crawfish tails. This dish is frequently served with a side of white rice or even toast.
Another bonus to ordering your crawfish from a respected local Cajun restaurant is that you can order the sides and dips too. Afterall, if you order the crawfish but still have to go home and make the sides, there won’t be as much time to enjoy your company.
Sides that pair well with crawfish dishes typically include:
- Corn on the cob
- Garlic toast
- Red skin potatoes
- Rice
The final touch that often makes crawfish even tastier is how it is paired with sauces and dips. Popular options include butter, remoulade sauce, tartar sauce, ranch and cocktail sauce, so there is a dip available to satisfy most tastebuds. Don’t forget to add these to your order to truly elevate your dining experience.
Crawfish are a key ingredient in Cajun and Creole cuisine, and thankfully we don’t have to leave the city of Houston to know just how tasty crawfish can be.