Crawfish, the delicacy in Carpenters' song!

Ever heard about Yesterday Once More? A well-known song from a band called Carpenters. Another song they have, is Jambalaya, which is the name of a spicy one pot dish you must know and must have tried. In the song Jambalaya also includes another food, crawfish pie.

Crawfish pie

Here comes today’s protagonist, crawfish, or in British English, crayfish.

This delicacy not only goes viral in Louisiana, but it has also been developed in Sichuan, where it has been the most irreplaceable dish in summer, especially in summer nights.

Garlic crawfish

Holding the red alien-like “warrior” firmly in one hand, separating the tail from the head with the other, then, twist! You pull the tail to separate! After which you are provided with an optional but highly recommended step: suck the head. Once you try, you will never forget the feeling that the internal organs of the crawfish are melting magically because of your saliva and omitting a unique and finger-licking good taste…

Then peel the tail, but be careful, sometimes the shell is too hard, so do not hurt yourself. Finish? Pull out the white chewy meat and it’s time to enjoy it!

Spicy crawfish

It’s not difficult to foresee, in Sichuan, a place nearly everything can be cooked into spicy flavour, the most popular crawfish is spicy crawfish. Fired before adding any ingredient, the crawfishes are about to be cooked thoroughly, making the meat tender but not overcooked. Then chillies will be added as well as a can of beer. Yup, beer, is used to eliminate the fishy taste. And this is absolutely a secret to cook tasty crawfish!

Thirteen-spices crawfish

Similarly, there is another popular type of crawfish dish in Sichuan, thirteen-spices crawfish. Unlike the spice one, it has more complex flavour because various kinds of seasonings and spices are used. The crawfish will absorb them all, and “create” a unique flavour.

Iced crawfish

Creative Sichuanese will never stop their steps to explore. It’s summertime, so crawfish dishes should be more “summer-like”. Iced crawfish goes viral in Sichuan recent years. But don’t worry, no one will let you have live crawfish. They are boiled and then serve with ice and different kinds of sauce such as wasabi, soy sauce, or chilly oil. Do not hesitate to try, the cold taste will make your summer cooler!

Strewed crawfish

Other emerging flavours like strewed crawfish are also popular. This summer, crawfish dishes are ready to give you a new and unforgettable eating feast, are you ready to try?

See you next time, and today, You Look Yummy!