The answer to the bag or powder question is: both complement each other nicely and should be used in tandem. I use the both the bags and the powder simultaneously, along with tabasco and cayenne pepper. I also put in minced garlic, chopped garlic, onions, allspice, salt, and lots of lemon halves, after squeezing the juice into the pot. As for the ice in the pot after the boil, I'm all for it. It helps the crawfish not get mushy, and I do believe it draws some of the flavor in, although this might just be my perception and not reality. Also, it helps to add some vegetable oil to the pot when cooking them. This helps make them easier to peel, and does nothing to alter the flavor. Finally, the method of boiling them in plain water then sprinkling the seasoning afterwards should be considered blasphemy. Plain and simple. This is a disgusting and lazy way to do crawfish. It is also how all the places do it in Texas. Absolutely no flavor, just spicy heat. Most of the ingredients that give the best flavor are missing with this technique, and I wouldn't step on much less eat a crawfish that has been prepared in this manner. Ok, maybe I would. But under protest, dammit.
Too funny.......that's the one thing I dislike about it, it's much more work. I've heard about the cooking oil but most don't peel more than one segment nowadays. They peel one segment then pinch the end and pull on the peeled part with their mouth. When you have kids, it's different. I also still peel some completely to "Pass" in the dip. :thumb: Like that avatar better, those swords made me a little nervous.
Yeah I personally do the pinch/pull as described, but I gotta dumb it down to the Texas crowd and make it easy for them. There is indeed something about a nerd with a pair of Ninja weapons that brings out the fight/flight response in most people.
Thanks for bringing THAT up. I can't count the number of times where I've walked into the bathroom thinking, "Alright NLMD, now be careful for once." And it doesn't do a bit of good. I always just hope folks can't hear me howling and cursing for a few minutes.
