Crawfish Puffs

Makes about 6 dozen puffs.

Ingredients

 * 1 cup all-purpose flour
 * 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
 * 1/2 teaspoon Onion powder
 * 3/4 cup milk
 * 2 eggs, separated
 * 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
 * 3 cups cooked rice
 * 1 1/2 pounds 3-1/4 cups peeled, cooked Crawfish tails*, coarsely chopped
 * 1/4 cup minced green pepper
 * 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
 * vegetable oil for deep-fat frying
 * Cocktail sauce or tartar sauce (optional)

Directions

 * 1) Sift flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper and Onion powder into large bowl.
 * 2) Blend milk, egg yolks and oil in small bowl.
 * 3) Add to dry ingredients and stir just until blended.
 * 4) Stir in rice, Crawfish, green pepper and pepper sauce.
 * 5) Beat egg whites in small bowl until stiff but not dry; fold into batter.
 * 6) Drop batter by teaspoonfulls into deep, hot oil.
 * 7) Fry until golden and puffy, 3 to 4 minutes; turn and cook on other side.