Reliving Crawfish Monica from NoLa's Jazzfest

It's in no way good for you (is any recipe that comes out of New Orleans ever good for you?), but I always crave it when I get close to the Gulf.  After a little reading, I understand why this is the official dish of Jazzfest in New Orleans--it's super fast and easy (and very 80s, which is when it was invented). I can't find decent crawdad tails here in the Rockies so I use shrimp, but you can easily adjust if you're luckier than I (and use a pound of tails instead of the 1/2 pound of shrimp I call for, as they're tiny).

A shot of the real deal at New Orleans' Jazzfest

Shrimp Monica

Serves 6-8

1/2 pound small shrimp, shelled, tails off, and deveined
1 stick unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
6-8 fresh chives, chopped
1 cup plain milk (any flavor)

1 tablespoon Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning (this should be a staple in your kitchen, anyway)
1 pound rotini pasta + a little pasta water


Set salted water to boil in a large pasta pot. In a large saute pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and chives and cook 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add shrimp and saute for 2-3 minutes until cooked. Stir in milk, then add Creole seasoning to taste. Cook for 10 minutes until sauce starts to thicken. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain (but reserve a little of the water). Stir pasta into the sauce, adding cooking water a tablespoon at a time if needed. Cook for another 5 minutes on low, stirring often, and allowing pasta to soak up the sauce.

What I ate on the Gulf last week

I went to University of Southern Mississippi last week to teach and perform in my role as an Altus Performing Artist, so of course, I ate my way from the airport in New Orleans all the way to Hattiesburg.  It was a short trip, but I'm pretty sure I still managed to gain a few pounds, mainly in butter.

In Hattiesburg

Crescent City: Cute family restaurant down the street from USM. I had crawfish Monica and a sad glass of water because I had to play that night.  The food was super good.

Branch: Chi-chi small plates and cocktail place.  I ate smoked wings, fried broccoli (no breading, just a bit seared and black on the ends) with lemon-yogurt sauce, mussels and fries, and deviled eggs with Sriracha, bacon, crab and avocado. The cocktails looked lovely, but I stuck to a glass of Chardonnay as I considered my 6:30am departure time for the airport the next morning.



In New Orleans

Jacques-Imo's: I think this is officially in the East Carrollton neighborhood, spitting distance from Tulane University. This place was utter chaos--I had to scream like I was at a Prince (who died the day of my recital, which is what I'm blaming the poor attendance on) concert. We split an app of friend calamari, then I had the daily special of blackened snapper on top of a bed of spicy mussels, crawfish, and shrimp with my choice of sides, a red cabbage with sausage braised in butter and perfectly seasoned red beans.  I think there might have also been a salad, but I blacked out at one point. Oh yes, the house white wine was delish and cheap.

Rue De La Course: Right down the street from Jacques-Imo's. It's in a big old bank building, playing classical music, of all things, and catering to the hipster Tulane set (I say this with affection). I ate Almond cream cake and had a smooth, smooth latte.