This was the darling of the Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24 dinner. I predominately used Emeril’s recipe and made a few changes by using a butter-based roux and buying premade polenta. The roux can be made ahead of time—just bring it to room temperature before using.  The polenta “tubes” made the polenta cakes a snap; they are the perfect consistency and are easy to cut into cakes. This recipe yields eight appetizer servings.

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup butter + 2 tablespoons butter;  ½ cup flour + 6 tablespoons flour; Premade polenta, one tube;  3 stalks celery, medium diced; 1 cup chopped onion;  1 green bell pepper, chopped; 1 tablespoon minced garlic plus 1 teaspoon; ¼ cup chopped green onions; 2 cups shrimp stock; 2 teaspoons Crystal Hot Sauce; 4 tablespoons chopped parsley; 1 ½  pounds rock shrimp; Essence; 1 cup roasted sweet corn; ¼  cup small diced red peppers; ¼  cup small diced yellow peppers; 1 tablespoon minced shallots; Salt and pepper; 1 cup seasoned flour; 2 eggs, slightly beaten plus 2 tablespoons milk; 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs; Oil for frying.  For garnish: 4 long chives; 2 tablespoons chopped chives; 2 tablespoons brunoise red peppers; 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; Essence.

COOKING DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the fryer or heat vegetable oil in a large pot.

For the etouffee: In a saute pan, heat the ½ cup of butter. Stir in the ½ cup of flour. Cook the mixture for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly, for a brown roux. Stir in the celery, onions, green peppers and tablespoon of garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the vegetables start to wilt. Stir in the shrimp stock and Crystal hot sauce. Bring up to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Stir in the green onions. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with shrimp with Essence.

In a saute pan, heat the remaining butter. Saute the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sauteed shrimp to the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

For the relish: In a sauté pan, heat the olive oil, when the pan is smoking hot, saute the corn, red peppers, yellow peppers, shallots and remaining garlic. Saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tablespoon chopped parsley.

For the polenta: Slice the polenta into 8 slices. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour. Dip in the egg mixture, removing any excess. Dredge in the bread crumbs. Fry each piece of polenta until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the fryer and place on a paper-lined plate. Season with Essence.

Slice the cake diagonally, forming two triangles. Spoon the etouffee in the center of the plate. Lay the polenta against each other on top of the etouffee. Place three small mounds of the relish around the cake. Garnish with long chives, chopped chives, peppers, cheese, and Essence.