Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Essence, recipe follows
1 1/2 pounds striped bass fillets
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 cups shrimp or fish stock
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup grated Muenster cheese

1 pound small or medium shrimp
2 hard boiled eggs, sliced lengthwise into 6ths, garnish
Chopped green onions, garnish
Chopped fresh parsley, garnish

Directions

In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Essence.
Dredge the fish in the flour, shaking to remove any excess. In a large saute pan, heat the oil over
medium-high heat. Add the fish and cook until lightly browned on both sides. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Drain any remaining fat from the pan and wipe clean.

Melt the butter in the saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook,
stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the potatoes and
stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender,
about 12 minutes. Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the potatoes are very soft and the sauce
reduces and thickens, about 3 minutes.

Add the cheese and stir to incorporate. Adjust seasoning, to taste. Add the fish and the shrimp, and simmer
until the shrimp are pink and the fish is warmed through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Spoon the stew into large bowls. Arrange the egg slices around the rim of the bowl, and garnish with the green
onions and parsley.

Ingredients

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Directions

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.