Friday, May 28, 2010

T.G.I.F. + Fabulous Cajun Sides

It's Friday and that means fun time and this evening, we'll be going to our annual community crawfish boil and then to the T.G.I.F block party at Downtown Alive, in Parc Sans Souci, where the fabulous group, GIVERS, will be performing and entertaining the crowd.











Also, on the agenda for the weekend is the annual Cajun Heartland State Fair, over at the Cajundome, that kicked off last night and will run for the next 10 days! This year's fair will host an incredible entertainment line-up, with many of your favorites, at the Cox Grandstand, located adjacent to the Cajundome. Come on out and get into the festival spirit for 10 days of fabulous Cajun music, food, and fun. The fair will also feature the Pepsi Playground, a huge amusement park with thrilling rides for all ages, and fun family oriented games . For more information and to purchase tickets online, click here. See ya'll there! Let the good times roll, cher!

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On Saturday night we'll be going to the fair, where Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin' Cajuns and Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie will be rockin' the crowd. Here is a little clip of Geno and his hotter than Tabasco band, that I took at Festival International, in April. Crank it up for this one, cher.

Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie


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Fabulous Cajun Sides

Here's another great dish that is a "must have" on my family's list, for our Memorial Day cookout! I concocted this recipe about 20 years ago, to take on a picnic at the beach, and it's been a family fave, ever since. The basic recipe was handed down by my dear mother, and I have added a few tweaks through the years, but still love the original, recipe too. Ca cest bon, cher!

Creole Potato Salad

5 lb.'s red potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 tbs. white vinegar
10 eggs
3 tbsp.'s sweet pickle relish w/juice
1/2 cup each, onions, bell peppers, and celery, chopped fine
5 tbs.'s mayo (more, if needed)
1 tsp. horseradish
2 tsp.'s creole mustard
1 tbs. creole seasoning
Salt to taste
Few shakes Tabasco

Fill a large pot with water (3/4) full and add the salt,vinegar, chopped potatoes, and eggs. Bring to a boil and boil for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain and cool, and season potatoes with the Cajun seasoning and place in a large bowl. Meanwhile, peel eggs and separate egg whites from yolks. Chop egg whites and add to potatoes. Add veggies and blend gently until well mixed. Place yolks in a medium bowl and mash yolks with a fork until fine. Combine mayo, mustard, salt, pickle relish, and Tabasco in small bowl and mix well, then add to the mashed yolks and stir, adding a little more mayo, until the desired consistency is reached. Add to the potatoes, blending gently. Ca cest bon, cher!!

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And I also wanted to share my most popular recipe on my blog with those of you who may not have seen it. It will definitely be on the table, at the cookout. Out of this world, cher! Enjoy!

Spicy Creole Jambalaya

2 cups each, cooked ham, smoked sausage, and/ or chicken,
( chopped into bite sized pieces)
1/2 stick butter
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 tsp.'s garlic, minced
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
2 tbs.'s Worcestershire sauce
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce,
3 cups water
1 tbs. creole seasoning
2 cups raw rice

On medium heat, melt butter in large Dutch oven, and add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic, and saute for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, stir and cook for 5 more minutes. Add chopped cooked ham, sausage, and/ or chicken and creole seasoning and stir fry for 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce , Worcestershire sauce, and water and bring to a boil. Lower heat, add rice, stir and cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serves 8 Bon Appetit!


 

18 comments:

Joanne said...

I like that description ... a hotter than Tabasco band! Wow, that says it all. Have a rockin' holiday weekend, Marguerite :)

Kittie Howard said...

I'm lovin' your recipes. They're so real! It's hard to get creole mustard here so I order it on line. Can't live without that yummy taste. Actually, I've been more glued to the oil disaster than blogging. I saw your question on an earlier post about what to think but honestly couldn't condense thoughts...I had thought the Gulf Coast states would have a contigency plan for an oil spill emergency...I mean, I have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and so on...it just made sense to me that with that many wells in the Gulf the governors would have gotten the oil companies to pre-position booms and other items necessary for an emergency and that there were coordinated plans to utilize the National Guard and so on. I'm still processing the heavy fact that there weren't any contingency plans...I'm just sad about what happened, really sad.

K. said...

I gain weight reading this blog.

Kittie, I believe that Deepwater Horizon is in international waters, meaning that I don't think that the states can demand much of BP. They wouldn't be inclined to anyway because oil is so important to the economy of the Gulf Coast. I understand that Canada requires simultaneous drilling of relief wells when the main well is at a certain depth.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Both you and your recipes are so appetising LOL
Just love visiting you in Cajun country and please answer me one question. How's a chap supposed to diet and lose weight when he sees great 'grub' like you serve up.
As for your energy and vive for life - it is wonderful.
Notice you say T.G.I.F. I might have said this before but on Fridays some of us say it's POETS day, which means, "Push Off Early, Tomorrow's Saturday" LOL
Hugs and Cuddles ~ Eddie

judi/Gmj said...

yip! that was Nibbles contribution to your recipes. She loves Cajun Sides almost as much as I do. a little Muff meat for her, a whole muffaletta for me. have a great weekend, looking forward to the bands.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Mmmm. Marguerite, that potato salad looks and sounds heavenly! And I adore potato salad...so this is a must-have recipe for me! Loved the music as USUAL!!! Simply fab! Have a rockin' good weekend, mon amie! I'm sure you will :-) Love, Janine XO

ellen abbott said...

It's just party party party there in cajun country!

Velva said...

Delicious side dishes. I really like the creole potato salad.
I know it's party time in Cajun country this weekend. Enjoy!

Mehmet Osman Çağlar said...

Bonjour dear Marguerite , as usual I like the sound of your tabel, espacialy salad has seems very fresh and saying take me your stomach. Have a nice weekend with a big rock' music enjoy and fun.
Love and hugs..

Mandy said...

Looks mouth-watering! I will have to try both of these recipes. I'm planning to make a potato salad tomorrow with our cookout so I'll review your recipe first.

Have a wonderful Memorial day weekend! Have fun and boogie down!

John said...

Hopefully the Top Kill on the well is working and they can get the mess cleaned up. Have a good weekend

Drick said...

now that's a nice potato salad - my kind of eating girl ... I know you had a blast last nite and hope you have wonderful weekend - have a safe and blessed memorial day...cheers from your gulf coast bud

Dutchbaby said...

Popped over here from Vagabond's. I married a bona fide Cajun and I'm happy to find your delicious blog. My father-in-law's family is from Grand Coteau, is that far from you? I will be dipping here for recipes often.

Marguerite said...

Joanne- Thanks, you're right, it describes them perfectly! Hope you have a fun weekend, too! Cheers, cher!

Kittie- Merci, so glad you like them! I am addicted to creole mustard, too. It is a real eye opener, isn't it? Not only did they NOT have a contingency plan, but there were reports that members of the MMS were doing drugs with and taking bribes from the big wigs of the oil companies, to look the other way, during inspections! It is all so sad!

K.- So good to hear from you, cher! A few pounds won't hurt you! lol If only we could take a few lessons from Canada! The previous administration really created this inevitable mess, when they relaxed the regulations! Have a great weekend!

Eddie- Merci beaucoup for your sweet compliments, cher! The trick is to dance off the extra calories and with your new bionic hip, it should be easy! lol POETS! Love it!

judi- lol, Lucky dog! So glad that you check out my sidebar recipes, cher! Hope you enjoy your Muffaletta and hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Janine- Merci for your lovely comment, cher, So glad that you like the potato salad recipe! It's a good one and I hope that you try it. Also, happy that you enjoyed the music! They are one hot band! Hope that you have a fun weekend, too!

Maggie May said...

Eat, drink and be merry seems to be the Cajun way!
I like the look of those local dishes. They look yummy! Might leave the fairground alone though!
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Marguerite said...

ellen- We do believe in having fun! It sure beats sitting around and being depressed.:) Thanks for stopping by!

velva- Thanks, I'm glad you like it! It's always party time, but especially on a holiday weekend. Hope yours is fun, too!

Jivago- Merci for your lovely comment, cher! As always, your kindness is so appreciated! Hope that you are having a nice weekend, too! Cheers, mon ami!

Mandy- Merci beaucoup, cher! Hope you try them, they are the real deal! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, too! Enjoy the beach while you still can!

John- Another blooper and it looks like the relief wells are the only option, now, and they won't be ready until August! Thanks, you too!

Drick- Thanks so much for the sweet compliment! Very special, coming from a great cook like you! I did and hope that your holiday is wonderful, too! Still praying for ya'll.

Marguerite said...

dutchbaby- Hi and welcome! It's so nice to meet you and I'm so glad that you stopped by! Thanks so much for the nice compliments, cher! Grand Coteau is a lovely town and is only 20 miles away! Small world!

Maggie- So good to hear from you, cher! Thanks for coming by and for your lovely comment. Glad you liked the recipes and hope that you try them!

Susanna Powers said...

I made your spicy creole jambalaya recipe on the weekend, and now we have eaten the leftovers. It is easy and delicious, and I'm thinking of trying it with a few variations such as turkey-sausage, or even vegetarian. Thanks!! sp