Goat's cheese stuffed softshells with a pecan pesto butte

4 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
1½ cup Basil leaves, washed and
Patted dry
6 Crushed garlic cloves
⅓ cup Toasted pecan pieces
½ cup Grated Parmesan Reggiano
Cheese
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
½ cup Olive oil
2 Sticks cold butter, cubed
8 Louisiana softshells,
Cleaned
1 cup Goat's cheese
1 cup Flour
Essence
2 cups Mashed potatoes, hot
2 Eggs, beaten with 1
TB milk
2 cups Fine dried bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat the oil to 360 degrees F. In a food processor, fitted with a metal blade, combine 1 cup of the basil, garlic, pecans, and cheese.

Puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. With the machine running, add the oil in a steady stream. Process until a paste is formed. Season with salt and pepper. Place the pesto in a saucepan, over low heat, heat the mixture. Whisk in the butter, a cube at a time, until all of the butter is incorporated. Reseason the sauce if necessary. Set aside and keep warm. Season all sides of the soft-shells with salt and pepper. Season the flour with Essence.

Season the egg wash with Essence. Season the bread crumbs with Essence. Stuff each cavity with 2 tablespoons of the Goat's cheese.

Press the cheese firmly into the cavity to secure the cheese. Dredge the soft-shells in the seasoned flour. Dip each soft-shell in the egg wash, letting the excess drip off. Dredge the soft-shells in the bread crumbs, coating the legs completely. Fry the remaining basil leaves in the oil until crispy, about 1 minute. Remove and drain on paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Holding the cavity, carefully drag the legs in the hot oil for about 30 seconds.

Carefully drop the shells in the oil and fry until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.

Season with Essence. Fry the soft-shells in batches. To serve, spoon the sauce in the center of each plate. Mound the potatoes in the center of the sauce. Place two soft-shells on top of each mound of potatoes. Garnish with the fried basil.

Yield: 4 servings

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