Monday, December 31, 2012

Cajun New Year's Delights + New Year's Boogie

Here's a favorite Cajun drink that is perfect for ringing in the New Year if champagne isn't your thing. It has a bit of a bite to it, but is oh so good! Enjoy! Cheers!

Cajun Dirty Martini

1 ounce Absolute peppar vodka
2 ounces vodka, cold
1 dash dry vermouth
2 large jalapeno-stuffed green olives
1 Trappey's white Tabasco chili pepper
1 dash olive juice (to taste)
crushed ice

Mix vodkas, vermouth, and olive juice with ice into cocktail shaker and blend for 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with jalapeno stuffed olive.

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And here are a few of my favorite New Years Eve delights that I wanted to share with ya'll. I will be having guests over for a little "before the dance" New Year's Eve party,  that we're all going to. Worth every calorie, cher, so go ahead and indulge and enjoy! Cheers!

 Mini Muffalettas

24 count, mini Muffaletta rolls or dinner rolls
1 jar Italian olive salad
1 lb. smoked ham, sliced thin
1/2 lb. provolone cheese slices, sliced thin
1/2 lb. hard salami, sliced thin
Creole or Dijon mustard
1 small onion, sliced thin

Slice rolls in half and place, inside up, on large cookie sheet. Spread the top half of rolls with Creole mustard and bottom half with olive salad. Layer salami, cheese, double layer of ham,  and onion, on top of olive salad. Top with roll. Serve cold or cover with a tent of foil and place in a 300 degree oven for 10 minutes or until cheese melts. So easy!  Enjoy!

Click on Titles to View Recipes

Spicy Seafood Jambalaya







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Cajun New Year's Eve Boogie



Wishing all of you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2013! Merci beaucoup for passing by!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Cajun Christmas Faves + Bayou Boogie

With just a few days to go before Christmas, I am making my list and checking it twice to make sure that I have everything that I need for our Christmas feast. Here are a few of my Christmas faves that I will be preparing for my family and friends. All are out of this world and this divine Kahlua Pecan Pie is so easy and is sinfully good! Bon Appetit!




Kahlua Pecan Pie

1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbs. flour
3 large eggs
1/2 cup Kahlua
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 cup pecan halves or pieces
1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie crust, unbaked

In large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the Kahlua, corn syrup, evaporated milk and pecans. Mix well and pour into the unbaked pie shell. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Reduce to 325 degrees and bake for 40 minutes. Fab!

 Click on recipe title to view recipes

Cajun Baked Ham w/ Sugarcane-Bourbon Glaze

Spicy Crawfish Jambalaya










 Cajun Cornbread Dressing










Brandied Sweet Potatoes









Loaded Baked Potato Casserole










Caramelized Onion-Mushroom Stuffing










Cajun Corn Casserole

Spinach Madeleine

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Bayou Boogie

Here's another little clip of my favorite band, Wayne Toups and Zydecajun, rockin' the crowd at this year's Festival Acadiens. Crank it up for this one and let the good times roll, cher!



Wishing all of you a blessed and very Merry Christmas! 
Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Cajun Holiday Appetizers

Tis the season for holiday parties in Cajun country and here are a few of my all time favorite, party appetizers. Every year, I love to have a casual appetizer buffet for friends and family for our annual Christmas gift exchange. A dear friend of mine gave me this fabulous shrimp recipe and I just had to share it with ya'll. It's out of this world and is perfect for your holiday party or buffet. The sauce is so good that I could drink it! Enjoy!

Margarita Shrimp Cocktail


4 cups water
2 tbs.'s salt
1 cup white wine
2 tbs.'s fresh lime juice
3 or 4 tbs.'s Cajun seasoning
3 bay leaves
2 lb.'s medium shrimp, unpeeled with heads removed
 


 Place the first 6 ingredients in a large stock pot  and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Add shrimp and boil for 5 more minutes. Cut heat off, cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Remove shrimp and allow to cool.


Peel shrimp, leaving tails on, and place in a large bowl. Meanwhile make sauce.

Sauce  
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tbs.'s tequilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Few shakes Tabasco

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. Add cooked shrimp and stir to coat.


Dip rims of Margarita glasses in salt. Place 6 shrimp in each glass and spoon a little extra sauce over shrimp and garnish with lemon and lime slices Fab!

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Creole Crock Pot Meatballs



1/2 lb. ground pork
1 (1/2 lbs.) ground beef
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1 egg, beaten
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tsp.'s garlic, minced

1 or 2  jalapenos, seeded and chopped
2 tbs.'s fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 or 2 tbs.'s Creole seasoning
Salt and Tabasco to taste


In medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, and Worcestershire sauce. In large separate bowl, combine meat with all remaining ingredients. Combine the egg mixture with the meat and mix gently, but well.


Shape mixture into 2 inch balls. Arrange meatballs in baking pan and bake @ 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway. Drain and place in crock pot on warm. Meanwhile make sauce.
Sauce
   

1 bottle chili sauce
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tbs. Creole mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pepper jelly

 (or your favorite jelly)
Few shakes Tabasco 
1/2 cup beer
2 tbs.'s Liquid Smoke
  
Combine all ingredients in saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Pour over meatballs and coat well. Serve in crock pot to keep warm. Sinfully good!
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Spicy Creole Deviled Eggs


8 hard boiled eggs
1/4 cup Miracle Whip Salad Dressing or mayo
2 green onions, including tops, chopped 
1 tbs. chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, chopped fine
Salt to taste
Paprika for sprinkling


Peel eggs and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop yolks out and place in mixing bowl and mash yolks with a fork. Combine Miracle Whip, onions, chilies and salt in separate bowl and add to the mashed yolks and mix well.


 Fill egg whites with yolk mixture and sprinkle with paprika. Divine!     
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And here are a few more. Click on title to view recipe.

 Mini Creole Crab Cakes

 








Bayou Buffalo Wings w/ Smoky Blue Cheese Dip




 




Crawfish Dip w/ Mini Crossaints



Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip w/ Pastry Shells

All sinfully delicious, cher!  Hope ya'll are having a fabulous week.

Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Bon appetit!