Perfect Crawfish Monica
on Jul 27, 2022
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Crawfish Monica is a pasta dish that’s creamy, spicy, and comforting. It’s made with crawfish and is full of Cajun spices.
Serve this impressive pasta dish to guests the next time you’re hosting a get-together. It’s full of spicy Cajun flavors.
What is Crawfish Monica?
Crawfish Monica is a classic New Orleans pasta dish that’s made with crawfish and Cajun spices in a creamy cheese sauce. Chef Pierre Hilzim, the founder of Kajun Kettle Foods Inc., created the dish and named it after his wife, Monica.
What Is Monica Sauce Made Of?
Monica sauce features Cajun spices, white wine, milk, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese. Crawfish and pasta are tossed in the sauce to create Crawfish Monica.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- your favorite pasta
- peeled crawfish tails
- unsalted butter
- yellow onions
- garlic
- paprika
- garlic powder
- cayenne pepper
- dried oregano
- dried thyme
- salt and pepper
- white wine
- cornstarch
- milk
- fresh lemon juice
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- optional chopped onions and parsley
(Note: Full recipe is at the bottom of the post)
How to Make Crawfish Monica
- In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until softened.
- Bring a pot of water to a full boil and add the pasta. Cook until al dente and drain. Set aside.
- Stir the garlic, paprika, salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, and pepper into the onion mixture. Stir constantly for 30 seconds then add the wine. Cook until almost all of the wine has evaporated.
- Whisk together the cornstarch and milk in a small bowl. Add to the onions and seasonings and slowly stir in the remaining milk. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in the crawfish tails and cook for 2 minutes. Add the lemon juice and the optional green onion and parsley, and stir well to combine. Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Serve the sauce with the cooked pasta and enjoy!
How to Store Crawfish Monica?
Place Crawfish Monica in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to three days. It can also be placed in a freezer safe container and stored in the freezer for up to one month.
How to Reheat Leftover Crawfish Monica?
If Crawfish Monica is frozen, let it defrost in the fridge. Place the leftovers in a saucepan over medium-low heat until fully warmed through. You can also use the defrost feature of the microwave. Place the leftovers in a microwave-safe bowl and thaw in two-minute intervals until fully thawed. Reheat at full power until the pasta is fully warmed through.
Crawfish Monica Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 oz of your favorite pasta
- 1 pound peeled crawfish tails
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 medium yellow onions, diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup white wine
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 ¾ cups milk, divided
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional chopped onions and parsley
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute for 7-10 minutes until softened.
- Bring a pot of water to a full boil and add the pasta. Cook until al dente and drain. Set aside.
- Stir the garlic, paprika, salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, and pepper into the onion mixture. Stir constantly for 30 seconds then add the wine. Cook until almost all of the wine has evaporated.
- Whisk together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup of the milk in a small bowl. Add to the onions and seasonings and slowly stir in the remaining milk. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in the crawfish tails and cook for 2 minutes. Add the lemon juice and the optional green onion and parsley, and stir well to combine. Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
- Serve the sauce with the cooked pasta and enjoy!
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
