Crawfish Purses with a Tasso Cream Sauce

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

For the purses: In a saute pan, heat the olive oil . When the pan is smoking hot, add the onions, peppers, shallots and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 1 minute and remove from the heat. In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients with the Sauteed mixture. Mix until incorporated. Adjust the seasoning. Divide the crawfish filling into 8 equal portions. Spoon each portion in the center of the crepe. Gather the crepe at the top, forming a purse-like shape. Tie each crepe with a long chive.

For the sauce: In a hot saute pan, render the tasso for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the shallots and garlic and continue sauteing for 1 minute. Add the heavy cream and season with salt, pepper, and Essence. Allow the sauce to reduce until slightly thick, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the green onions and Crystal hot sauce. Finish the sauce with the butter. Reseason.

For the purses: Place the purses in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven. Spoon the sauce in the center of the platter. Arrange the purses over the sauce. Garnish with the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese , red peppers and the grilled green onion.

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.