Blast from the Past: Crab-Stuffed Flounder Recipe

Introduction

Paula Deen and her brother Bubba share their favorite recipe for crab-stuffed flounder topped with crab butter. This dish combines the mild flavor of flounder with a rich crab stuffing and a decadent crab butter, creating a restaurant-quality meal that's sure to impress.

Ingredients

For the Stuffing:

• Small bell pepper, diced
• 3 green onions, diced
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon and a half of butter
• 1 egg
• A pinch of cayenne pepper
• Garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons of heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon and a half of mustard
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
• Saltine crackers, crushed
• Salt and pepper
• 1 pound of crab meat (half claw, half lump)

For the Flounder:

• Flounder fillets
• Salt and pepper
• Paprika

For the Crab Butter:

• 2 sticks of butter, softened
• 1 scallion, chopped
• Seafood base
• 2 ounces of crab claw meat

Preparation Steps

1. Prepare the Crab Stuffing:

   • Sauté bell pepper, green onions, garlic, and parsley in butter.
   • In a bowl, mix egg, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, heavy cream, mustard, lemon juice, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
   • Add sautéed vegetables and crushed saltine crackers.
   • Gently fold in crab meat.

2. Stuff the Flounder:

   • Make a pocket in the flounder fillets by slicing them partially.
   • Season the fillets with salt and pepper.
   • Stuff the fillets with the crab mixture.
   • Sprinkle paprika on top for color.

3. Bake the Flounder:

   • Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
   • Broil for an additional 5 minutes for a golden top.

4. Make the Crab Butter:

   • Mix softened butter, chopped scallion, and seafood base.
   • Gently fold in crab claw meat.
   • Form the mixture into a log using parchment paper and freeze.

5. Serve:

   • Serve the baked stuffed flounder with a slice of crab butter on top.
   • Garnish with parsley for a restaurant-style presentation.

Conclusion

This crab-stuffed flounder with crab butter is a luxurious dish that showcases the delicate flavors of the sea. The combination of flaky fish, rich crab stuffing, and buttery crab topping makes for an unforgettable dining experience. Perfect for special occasions or when you want to treat yourself to something extraordinary.