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Ouassou à la Créole

Name: Ouassou à la Créole
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: saint-martinoise
Ingredients: 2 lbs ouassou (freshwater crayfish); 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 cups crushed tomatoes; 2 hot peppers minced (or to taste); 4 cloves garlic, minced

Freshwater crayfish in spicy Creole sauce, island luxury seafood.

Prep

25 min

Cook

30 min

Servings

Difficulty

Medium

★★★★★

4.8(105 ratings)

#crayfish#seafood#creole#elegant

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About This Recipe

Ouassou (freshwater crayfish) cooked in a vibrant tomato-based Creole sauce with peppers and spices. This is an elegant dish showcasing the island's fresh freshwater bounty.

Ingredients

Serves 4

2 lbsouassou (freshwater crayfish)
3 tbspolive oil
1 mediumonion, chopped
2 cupscrushed tomatoes
2 hot peppersminced(or to taste)
4 clovesgarlic, minced

Instructions

1
Clean crayfish
Rinse crayfish and remove the intestinal vein from the tail. Pat dry.
2
Make sauce base
Heat olive oil. Sauté onion, garlic, and hot peppers until fragrant. Add tomatoes and simmer 5 minutes.
3
Cook crayfish
Add crayfish to sauce. Simmer covered for 15-20 minutes until shells turn bright red and meat is cooked.
4
Season and serve
Taste sauce, adjust heat and seasonings. Serve hot with rice or bread.

Pro Tips

→
Fresh crayfish makes a big difference in flavor
→
Don't overcook or meat becomes tough
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The sauce is excellent mopped up with bread

Variations

•
Add white wine for depth
•
Include okra or eggplant
•
Use prawns or lobster

Storage

Best consumed fresh; refrigerate leftovers 2 days

History & Origin

Ouassou is a delicacy reflecting Saint-Martinoise appreciation for fresh island seafood prepared simply to highlight its quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular shrimp instead?

Yes, though ouassou has a slightly different, more delicate flavor. Adjust cooking time for shrimp (5-7 minutes).

Nutrition Facts

Per serving · 4 servings total

Calories280kcal

Protein38g

Carbohydrates12g

Fat10g

Fiber2g

Protein38g

Carbs12g

Fat10g

Time Summary

Prep time25 min

Cook time30 min

Total time55 min

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Instructions

Clean crayfish

Rinse crayfish and remove the intestinal vein from the tail. Pat dry.

Make sauce base

Heat olive oil. Sauté onion, garlic, and hot peppers until fragrant. Add tomatoes and simmer 5 minutes.

Cook crayfish

Add crayfish to sauce. Simmer covered for 15-20 minutes until shells turn bright red and meat is cooked.

Season and serve

Taste sauce, adjust heat and seasonings. Serve hot with rice or bread.