Seafood Stuffed Flounder

Ingredients

3 ts salt
1 1/2 ts sweet paprika
1/2 ts black pepper
3/4 ts thyme leaves
1/2 ts sweet basil
1/2 gumbo file
3 slices bacon
1 1/2 c onions
1 c green bell peppers
1 tbsp butter
1 1/4 ts pepper
1 ts cayenne pepper
1/2 lb shrimp
1 1/2 basic seafood stock
6 shucked oysters
3/4 c all purpose flour
1/2 c green onions
1/4 c parmesan cheese
1/2 ts onion powder
1/2 ts garlic powder
1/2 ts dry mustard
1/4 ts sweet basil leaves
6 flounders
1 1/2 c cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons butter
1 quart saucepan melt the remaining
6 tablespoons butter over high heat
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons more stock

Instructions

and cook 1 minute more, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan. Cool slightly, then refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes. In a small bowl thoroughly combine the flounder seasoning mix ingredients. Open the flounders for stuffing. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon ofthe seasoning mix on the inside of each flouner. Mound 1/4 cup of the cheddar cheese in the center of each, then spoon a scant 1/2 cup chilled stuffing on top of the cheese. Close the fish so the stuffing doesn't show. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of the seasoning mix on each side of each chilled flounder, patting it in with your hands. In a pan (cake and pie pans work well) combine the remaining seasoning mix with the remaining 1/2 cup flour. In a large, heavy skillet heat 1/4 inch oil over high heat to about 350F. Meanwhile, place each flounder (split side up) in the seasoned flour to coat only the bottom surface. Carefully slide each flounder into the hot oil and fry the bottom until it's crispy, crunchy and brown-brown!-about 3 to 4 minutes. Without draining, place the flounder, still split side up, on an ungreased cooke sheet. Bake at 550F until the fish are cooked and well browned on top, about 10 minutes (after about 4 minutes, drape a piece of aluminum foil over the tails so they won't burn). Serve immediately as is, or topped with Hollandaise Sauce, Shrimp and Crab Buttercream Sauce, or Bearnaise Sauce From Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen