Trilobite creole

6 Servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
2 pounds Fresh trilobites*
1 quart Water
½ cup Vegetable oil
3 mediums Yellow onions; chopped
2 larges Bell peppers (red, green or yellow); chopped
5 Ribs celery; chopped fine
10 larges Tomatoes; peeled, seeded
2 teaspoons Salt
1 teaspoon Red pepper; ground
½ teaspoon Black pepper; ground
½ teaspoon White pepper; ground
2 teaspoons Dried thyme
2 teaspoons Dried basil
1½ teaspoon Sugar
5 eaches Bay leaf
1 cup Green onions; chopped
1 cup Parsley; chopped
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce; or more to taste

Directions

*If trilobites are out of season or extinct in your area, shrimp or crawfish may be substitued.

Peel and devein the trilobites. Place heads (if you still have them), and peels in a small saucepan and add water. Bring to a slow boil over medium-high heat and boil slowly for 15-20 minutes. Strain and discard the heads and peels. Retain the stock.

Place the oil in a Dutch oven or other large, heavy pot and place over medium-high heat. Add the onions, peppers and celery and saute, stirring often, until the vegetables are very soft, about 45 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes, salt, peppers, herbs, sugar and shrimp stock and return to simmer. Reduce the heat to medium and let simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. This is your creole sauce and it can be prepared 1-2 days in advance and stored in the 'fridge. The flavors improve after sitting a couple of days.

When you are ready to serve, return the sauce to a simmer and add the trilobites. Cook until they turn pink, about 7 minutes. Stir in the green onions and parsley and let cook for 1 minute more. Serve on rice.

Contributor: Roy Olsen roy@...

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