Cajun Cook-Out Menu - Part II + Bayou Boogie

With just a few days left to prepare for our cook out, I've been looking over my summer recipes and asking the gang what desserts they would like.They said that they would love to have these scrumptious desserts, below. Plus, I'm adding a Margarita cake that my dear friend,  B.J., over at Sweet Nothings, recently posted on her blog that her daughter made. I made it with a few changes and doubled the delicious glaze recipe, but you can see the original recipe here. Sinfully delicious, cher, and well worth the calories and so easy, too! Bon appetit!

 Margarita Cake

1 box lemon cake mix
1 small box instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup tequila
2 tbs.'s triple sec or orange juice

Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbs.'s tequila
4  tbs.'s triple sec
4 tbs.'s lime juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a bundt pan with Baker's Joy, baking spray. Mix all ingredients in large bowl and beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.

 Pour into prepared pan and bake @ 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool for about 15 minutes on wire rack and invert onto cake plate.

Combine the glaze ingredients and whisk until smooth. Poke holes in cake and pour over warm cake.

 Out of this world!

 Enjoy!

I'll be sharing these at  Foodie Friday,  Saturday Night Special ,  Sweets for a Saturday,
Seaside Simplicity, Sunday Showcase, and Savory Sunday.

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They also requested these decadent desserts! Click on title to view recipe.

  Banana Pudding Pie ~

Pina Colada Bread Pudding w/ Rum Sauce ~

And for drinks, I will be serving the following. Click on title to view recipe.

A big batch of these cool, frozen Pina Coladas.

And a big pitcher of Southern Peach Tea.

******

Bayou Boogie

We passed an absolute bon' ton' at the T.G.I.F. Friday night block party, at Downtown Alive last night.  It was a very warm evening, but it didn't stop this bunch of Cajuns from dancing up a storm in Parc Sans Souci.

Horace Trahan and the New Ossun Express were rockin' the crowd and there was a whole lotta dancin' going on! The fiesty crowd was loving this band and this "oldie but goodie" song.

Here's a little clip that I took of the dancers and there was a whole lotta fast jitter-buggin' going on. They were working up quite a sweat on this one. Crank it up and let the good times roll, cher!

Horace Trahan and the New Ossun Express

Wishing all of you a fabulous, fun weekend, filled with good times! Merci for stopping by!

Cajun Mother's Day Buffet + A Cajun Waltz

It's finally Mother's Day and my wonderful son is whipping up a scrumptious lunch buffet for me and some other family members and friends. He's including my faves and will be boiling some crawfish on the patio, too. Here is what's on the menu so far. It's a beautiful, sunny day and I am really looking forward to it. Wishing all of you a very Happy Mother's Day! Cheers, cher!

(click on title to view recipe)

Cajun Bloody Marys

Southern Mimosas

 Fresh Fruit w/ Pina Colada Dip

Spicy Crawfish Dip w/ Mini Croissants

Creole Summer Salad w/ Tabasco Vinaigrette

Spicy Grilled Shrimp Skewers w/ Bourbon Glaze

Sinful Bayou Crab Cakes

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

Jalapeno Cheese Bread

Margarita Cake

Banana Pudding Pie

BON APPETIT!

^^^^^^

A Cajun Waltz

Here's a little clip that my friend Bill took recently, of a Cajun waltz at the Saturday morning dance at Fred's Lounge in Mamou, Louisiana. Don Fotenot and Les Amis de Louisiane were entertaining the crowd. The weekly dance is a tradition in the area and packs them in at 8 am.! Oh, the life of a Cajun!




Wishing ya'll a wonderful week, filled with fun and special memories. Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Cajun Mother's Day Brunch

It's almost time for one of my favorite holidays and for someone else to do the cooking. My dear son is planning a Mother's Day Brunch for me and family members and friends and this is what he has so far. He's including my faves and a few surprises, too and I can't wait to see what he might come up with. And add on top of all of this, he'll be boiling some Spicy Cajun Boiled Shrimp and Crawfish. Cest bon, cher!

 Bon appetit!

Mother's Day Mimosas
 

3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice

1 ounce triple sec

4 ounces dry champagne

Combine in a champagne flute and garnish with fresh strawberries.  Heavenly!

Cheers, cher!

And a big batch of these cool, frozen Pina Coladas.

Cajun Crawfish Bread

Cajun Crab Dip (my fave)

Cajun Eggs Benedict Casserole

2 to 3 links Andouille sausage, or 12 ounces Canadian bacon, diced 

1 16. oz loaf French bread

8 large eggs

2 cups milk

1 tsp. or more Cajun seasoning

Salt and black pepper to taste

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 cup green onions, chopped
 

         
Tear bread into bite sized pieces and place in a buttered 9x13 inch casserole dish. Brown sausage  in skillet and drain excess oil. Place half of the sausage on top of the bread pieces. Whisk eggs, milk, and seasonings in bowl and pour over sausage layer. Top with remaining sausage, parsley, and green onions.

Cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for 15 more minutes or until set. Let rest for 10 minutes and top with Spicy Hollandaise Sauce. (recipe below)

Spicy Hollandaise Sauce

3 large egg yolks
1 tbs. cold water
1 stick of butter cut into pieces
1 tbs. Creole or Dijon mustard
Few shakes of Tabasco
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Set a heatproof bowl over a small pot of simmering water. Whisk egg yolks with water until thickened. (about 5 minutes). Whisk in butter gradually until melted. Season with Cajun seasoning and keep warm until ready to serve. Stir in lemon juice, Tabasco, and Creole mustard.

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 Fresh Fruit Platter w/ Pina Colada Dip

Fresh Veggie Platter w/ Smoky Blue Cheese Dip

1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
4 strips smoked bacon, cooked, drained, and crumbled
1/2 cup light mayo
4 tbs.'s low fat buttermilk
4 tbs.'s light sour cream
1/4 cup green onions, chopped fine
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. black pepper
Salt and Tabasco to taste

Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl and whisk until well blended. Chill for 1 hour and serve with fresh veggies or crackers.

Creole Boiled Crab Salad

Creole Mini Crab Cakes

Margarita Cake (my favorite)

Chocolate-Praline Cheesecake

Wishing all of you a very Happy Mother's Day ! Relax and enjoy your special day and have a fun and fabulous weekend! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Cajun Fourth of July Favorites

Almost time for one of my favorite holidays and I've been tweaking my menu and planning our annual Fourth of July cookout. It's supposed to be hot and humid, so this will definitely be a poolside bash. And this is what I have on the menu, so far, and who knows what else I'll be adding! Plus, we'll be boiling some fabulous Spicy Cajun Boiled Crabs, since crab season is in full swing here in Cajun country. And when I tell you that it's all out of this world, then you know that I mean it, cher!  Bon appetit!

Cajun Jalapeno Cheeseburgers

2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 tbs. Tabasco sauce

1 tbs. liquid smoke
2 tbs.'s minced garlic
1 tbs. prepared horseradish
1 bunch green onions, including tops, chopped 
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp.'s salt
2 jalapenos, sliced
8 slices cheddar cheese

Melted butter
Hamburger buns

Place beef in large bowl and add all other burger ingredients, except jalapenos and cheese. Mix gently and form into 8 (1/4 lb.each) patties. Place one pattie on a plate and layer with jalapenos and cheese slice.  Top with another pattie and seal edges together. Grill directly on a medium hot grill for about 10 to 15 minutes on each side. Brush buns with melted butter and grill on indirect heat until toasted, while burgers are cooking. Garnish with your favorite hamburger fixins. FAB! Makes 4 (1/2) pound burgers.

(click on title to view recipes)  

Spicy Cajun Crab Dip

Bayou Buffalo Wings

 Spicy Cajun Dogs

Spicy Boiled Shrimp Salad

Cajun Crawfish Casserole

Deviled Egg Potato Salad

Bayou Bourbon Beans

Cajun Margarita Cake

 Bourbon-Praline Brownies

 Strawberry Lemonade

1 (1/2) cups sugar
4 cups water
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled, washed, and cut in half
1 cup lemon juice, 4 large lemons

Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in small saucepan and cook and stir on medium heat until dissolved. Set aside to cool.

Combine the remaining 3 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar, and the strawberries in blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a 2 quart pitcher and add cooled sugar mixture and lemon juice. Stir well and add crushed ice. Garnish with lemon slices and strawberries.

Frozen Pina Coladas (my favorite)

1 1/2 oz. light rum
2 oz. cream of coconut
4 oz. pineapple juice
1 cup fresh frozen pineapple chunks
1 cup crushed ice

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth and creamy! Serve in your favorite cocktail glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Wishing ya'll a very happy and safe 4th of July weekend!!! Merci beaucoup for passing by, cher!

Cajun Memorial Day Faves + Bayou Boogie

With the holiday weekend approaching, I am putting the finishing touches on my Memorial Day cookout menu. With temperatures expected to be in the 90's, our cookout will be a pool party as well.  Here is a sinfully delicious burger recipe that is stuffed full of jalapenos and cheese, that is sure to please your family and guests. Cest bon, cher! Enjoy!

Cajun Jalapeno Cheeseburgers

2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 tbs. Tabasco sauce
1 tbs. liquid smoke
2 tbs.'s minced garlic
1 tbs. prepared horseradish
1 bunch green onions, including tops, chopped 
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp.'s salt
2 jalapenos, sliced
8 slices pepper Jack cheese


Melted butter
Hamburger buns

Place beef in large bowl and add all other burger ingredients, except jalapenos and cheese. Mix gently and form into 8 (1/4 lb.each) patties. Place one pattie on a plate and layer with jalapenos and cheese slice.  Top with another pattie and seal edges together. Grill directly on a medium hot grill for about 10 to 15 minutes on each side. Brush buns with melted butter and grill on indirect heat until toasted, while burgers are cooking. Garnish with your favorite hamburger fixins. FAB! Makes 4 (1/2) pound burgers.

And this is what else I have on the menu, so far, and who knows what else I'll be adding!
 Bon appetit!

(click on title to view recipe)

Crawfish Dip w/ Mini Croissants

 Grilled Stuffed Jalapenos

 Spicy Drunken Shrimp Kabobs

Cajun BBQ Chicken w/Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Deviled Egg Potato Salad

Creole Shrimp Pasta Salad

Bayou Bourbon Beans

Margarita Cake

 Bourbon-Praline Brownies

Cajun Margaritas

I'll be sharing these at ~

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sister's Stuff
Saturday Night Special @ Funky Junk Interiors 
See Ya in the Gumbo~Potluck @ Ms. EnPlace
Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table and Dreaming

^^^^^^

Bayou Boogie

Here's a little clip of one of my favorite Cajun bands, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, boogie-ing down at the Gator by the Bay Festival in San Diego, a few weeks ago. A large group from Lafayette attends this festival every year and it's always a total blast. Let the good times roll, cher!




Wishing all of you a safe, fun, and happy holiday weekend! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!