Crawfish-Eggplant Beignets with Remoulade Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium eggplant, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 pound peeled crawfish tails, coarsely chopped
• Vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• Remoulade Sauce

Preparation

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add eggplant and next 4 ingredients; cook 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Add crawfish; cook 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and cool.
2. Pour oil to depth of 3 inches in a Dutch oven; heat to 360°.
3. Whisk together eggs and next 3 ingredients; whisk in flour just until moistened. Fold in eggplant mixture. Drop batter by heaping tablespoonfuls into hot oil. Fry beignets, a few at a time, 3 minutes or until golden, turning once. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with Remoulade Sauce.