Neal Meal 3: Summer Re-creations

Hello! Leann and Ellen here! Like what you see above? ;) The meal we cooked last night was a re-creation of some of our favorite foods that we have eaten at restaurants on the coast. As some of you know, we went a little overboard on the beach vacations this summer, visiting Panama City, Destin, AND Gulf Shores! We also went overboard on eating, but we wouldn't have this Neal Meal if we hadn't now would we? :)

ANYway, we decided this week was perfect for cooking Baked Stuffed Flounder with Crabmeat Dressing, Smoked Gouda Grits, and Crunchy Pecan Slaw, with an appetizer of Cornmeal and Green Onion Fritters with Remoulade Sauce. We know this seems like a lot for a Thursday night, but don't be intimidated. With two in the kitchen it was actually pretty simple, just a little time consuming.

As we were eating this meal, we actually felt like we were at our favorite restaurant in Grayton Beach, The Red Bar. The baked stuffed flounder was near perfection, but we decided that next time we would drizzle some cheese sauce over it- not because it was dry- but because it would make it that much better.

The gouda cheese grits were a m a z i n g! And they only take 5 minutes to make. Even more a m a z i n g! We had never eaten gouda cheese before this summer, much less heard of it, but it is a great cheese. hehe. Who knew?

The crunchy pecan slaw was a last minute thought because we realized we needed some color on our plate. After digging through some recipes, we found it and luckily had everything to make it. Even if you aren't a slaw fan, give this one a try. It's delicious and extremely easy to make.

As for the cornfritters with remoulade sauce, we have made this before, and being the southern women we are, we thought some type of bread was much needed. SO, we hope you try at least one of these great recipes. They are A M A Z I N G, if we must say so. :)
-L & E

Crunchy Pecan Slaw:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1918554#

Cornmeal and Green Onion Fritters:
http://www.pauladeenmagazine.com/recipe_results.php?id=431

Smoked Gouda Grits:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-specials/smoked-gouda-grits-recipe/index.html

For the Baked Suffed Flounder with Crabmeat we combined ingredients from two recipes to make it our own. Enjoy!

Baked Stuffed Flounder with Crabmeat:

2 Tbsp. butter
1 med. onion, finely chopped
1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
1 rib celery, finely chopped
1/2 large red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped
2 slices white sandwich bread, toasted and buttered then finely chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 tsp ground thyme
1 can crab meat, drained & flaked, or 8 oz. fresh crab meat, flaked
4 flounder fillets (about 1 1/2 lb.)

In skillet over medium heat melt butter. Cook onion, garlic, celery, red pepper & parsley until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add bread crumbs, lemon juice , dry mustard, thyme, worcestershire sauce, mayo. and salt & pepper. Fold in crab meat. Spread 1/3 to 1/2 cup filling on one side of each fillet. Roll up.
Place in baking pan, sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Brush with melted butter. Bake in 375 degree oven for 30-35 minutes. Place under broiler and brown slightly.

Note for busy cooks: Crabmeat stuffing can be prepared ahead of time and frozen.