Saturday, March 21, 2009

Cajun Seafood Bread



Cajun Seafood Bread. I'm pretty sure that I've never been more excited to try a recipe. So excited, in fact, that I couldn't wait to make it. It was supposed to be served as an appetizer last night, when our friends came over to play cards. Instead, I began preparing this at 11:30 am. My husband walked into the kitchen while I worked. "Hey, I thought that we were having that tonight." He pointed out. I answered, "We are. And we're having it for lunch too." It is so good!

Let me give you a little history. In my hometown there is, or rather was, (I just found out that it's no longer there) a restaurant called Gordy's Sub Pub. I grew up going there. Great pizza and subs. The best. I've sampled a number of items off of the menu, but hands down, my favorite is this Cajun Seafood Bread. My whole family loves it...my dad, my sisters, everyone! I've been thinking of the Cajun Seafood Bread a lot lately. Do you ever have a craving that just sticks with you? Unfortunately, I didn't have a trip "back home" planned until sometime in April. As it turns out, Gordy's Sub Pub burned down last June. It's not even there anymore. I would've been sorely disappointed if I'd driven the 4 1/2 hours home to satisfy my craving. I resolved to make my own. Only, I couldn't get it right. I searched for recipes. I experimented. It just wasn't right. With Cajun Seafood Bread on the meal plan for Friday of this week, I was starting to feel the pressure. And then I had an idea. Why not ask Gordy for the recipe? Through the miracle of Facebook, I found Gordy. In just minutes. Love Facebook. He knows my family, so it's not like I was a complete stranger putting in my friend request. Right? Of course, for the Cajun Seafood Bread recipe, I might've mustered the courage to ask a stranger. I sent him a message asking for the recipe, or at least for some guidance in making this fabulous creation. I didn't really think I'd get the recipe, but I hoped for the best. An hour later the recipe was in my inbox! I couldn't believe it! I had to do a little happy dance and then I called my family back in Indiana to brag and gloat and wave it in front of their faces. Hooray!

Not only is Gordy "king" in the kitchen, he's possibly the world's tallest Elvis impersonator. How cool is that? Thanks, Gordy!




Ready? Please allow me to walk you through the preparation of one of my favorite foods. I should point out that I have cut the recipe in half here. Remember that Spring Break diet? Yeah, this is NOT on it. If I had a whole recipe of this I can guarantee that it wouldn't go to waste.

First you need butter.


And pepper. Cayenne and black.


And garlic. Minced.


Add the garlic and both peppers to the butter. Cook and stir for a couple of minutes.


Now you need Frank's Red Hot. 1 oz. for 1/2 recipe, 2 oz. for a whole recipe. My husband goes through this stuff like water.

Anyone want a shot? I triple dog dare you!


And you need some heavy whipping cream.


Add the whipping cream to the peppery garlic butter.


And the hot sauce. Now you want to give it a stir and cook it until it's just about to boil.


When the mixture is steaming and on the brink of boiling, add in this. What is "this" you might ask. It's a horrible picture and it doesn't really illustrate anything. I got so caught up in visions of sitting down to eat the Cajun Seafood Bread that I stopped thinking about taking pictures. Okay, back to "this". This is a little cornstarch and water. Pour it into the sauce mixture, stirring constantly. When the sauce begins to thicken you'll add in the seafood.


Here's the seafood. I often add my own touch to recipes I prepare. Not with this one. It's perfect just the way it is. However, there is one small deviation from the recipe here. It calls for uncooked shrimp. I found this cooked shrimp on sale at the grocery yesterday. Always frugal, I couldn't resist the bargain.


So, add the shrimp and imitation crab meat to the sauce.


Stir it up and continue to cook until your shrimp is pink (if it's uncooked) and the mixture is heated through.


Now you're ready for the bread. I sliced hoagie rolls in half and arranged them on a baking sheet covered in foil (makes clean up easier). Here's my little trick. I hollow out the bread just a little so I can fit a little more of that yummy Cajun seafood on them.


Now top the bread with the Cajun seafood. This stuff packs some heat, so I made a couple of pizza boats for the kids.


Let's take a closer look.


Now closer. Mmmmm.


Top each with mozzarella and pop them into a 400 degree oven until the cheese is melted and turning brown around the edges.


Now THIS is what I'm talking about! Gordy's Cajun Seafood Bread...and I didn't even have to leave the state.



CAJUN SEAFOOD BREAD
From the cookbook of Gordy Clemens

2 lbs shrimp thawed, raw, peeled and deveined
1 lb imitation crab/seafood, chopped
2 oz Red Hot Sauce (Frank’s)
1 stick butter
½ Tbsp chopped garlic
1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper
½ Tbsp black pepper
2 pints heavy whipping cream
1/8 cup corn starch mixed in
1/4 cup cold water

Directions:

Melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and both peppers. Blend and cook for a couple of minutes. Add hot sauce and cream and bring as close to a boil as possible without actually boiling the mixture. When it’s steaming and on the brink of boiling, add the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly. When the mixture begins to thicken, stir in the shrimp and crabmeat and cook until steaming again. Sauce is ready when the shrimp are cooked through(usually 6-8 minutes). Spread mixture over Kaiser rolls or good baking bread and cover with Mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 degrees until cheese is melted and browning around edges.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ohmigosh, how cool is it that you were able to get the recipe?!? I'd do a happy dance, too.

This looks very interesting. I'll have to try it for the two seafood lovers in my house. The rest will get pizza boats, just like in your picture.

Donna-FFW said...

Wow! What a unique recipe, I can't even imagine how delicious! Love the shrimp, and the flavorings, perfect, Krista!

Katie@ThisCrazyLife said...

I can't beleive you actually got the recipe! Gotta love facebook. Any chance he told you how to make the just seafood garlic version? DO you just omit the hot stuff? I wonder...

Krista said...

I forgot to mention that this sauce is perfect over pasta too!

Katie,

I think that you could just leave out the hot stuff. Hope it turns out for you!

Deanna said...

Oh, how we loved Gordy's. When we were back last summer, Scott and I were hoping to eat there for a date night.... but it had just burnt down!!! I was bummed to hear that they aren't rebuilding, I guess.... :( Good for you for tracking down the recipe!!!

Dana said...

Here is another way to use this delicious recipe. Spread the cajun seafood on a layer of nacho chips. Top with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese and microwave until the cheese is melted. Makes a great appetizer!
Dana Clemens
a.k.a. Mrs. Gordy :)

Krista said...

Dana,

Thank you! I forgot all about the nachos. Next time I won't half the recipe and we'll just eat this all week. Bread one night, pasta the next,then the nachos...

Of course, I'll have to pick up some Rolaids. : )

Marcia Fields said...

We ate this last night and it was FANTABULOUS!!! Sooo great! We are having leftover sauce over pasta tonite!! YAY!!

Mariah said...

I realize this is an old post and you may never see this comment - but I LOVE YOU for procuring/sharing this recipe! Gordy's use to be a 15 minute drive for me and this was my FAVORITE thing there...I was searching the web for a recipe that might be like it and low and behold what do I find?! The exact recipe. You are awesome, and my new hero! THANK YOU!!

Sara Ogle said...

I stumbled across this recipe from something on pinterest and I am a little in shock. I almost cried when Gordy's burned down and then the one in Goshen also closed a couple years ago so I've been without this dish and it's my favorite ever! ! We are gonna try it tonite!Thank you~Thank you~Thank you!!

Unknown said...

AMAZING!!!! I finally have the recipe....I too loved to go to Gordy's (Village Inn). I so missed having Cajun Seafood Bread....I moved away 22 years ago. I was just in Warsaw, In, and found that Rosie's on Detroit St. actually serves this dish, and many others that Gordy's used to have. My Uncle said Rosie's just opened a few months ago, and the cook there used to work at Village Inn. Thanks for posting the recipe!!

Unknown said...

can you tell me about how much bread this will fill

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Nice recipe for Cajun Seafood Bread. I can say it would be delicious in taste too. I went New Orleans Bar and Grill a great Cajun seafood restaurant in Greensboro.
http://www.neworleansbarandgrill.com

Unknown said...

I literally got on here because I was craving some seafood bread. Funny thing is- I was craving it from Gordy's sister/brother restaurant Stella's!!!! Right here in Warsaw! I think it is so funny that I found EXACTLY what I was looking for. It was a sad day when Gordy's burnt down, but now Stella's is open and The Downtown is also part of that family, so next time you're back home, you can always stop by and have a taste of goodness that was once Gordy's subs. (The kaiser is always my fave)
Thanks for the recipe. Can't wait to try it!!!

Judy Smith said...

I loved Gordy's too. I used to work for Dana and Gordy. I used to take cajun seafood bread home with me after work for my girls and I. Lots of good memories there.

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