Saturday, December 12, 2009

Great Cajun Appetizers! + More Dancin'

It's time for holiday parties in Cajun Country and I wanted to share a few of my favorite appetizer recipes with ya'll. The first one is an office party favorite and I always bring these fabulous meatballs to share with my dear colleagues at the annual Christmas party. The second one is always a big hit, and tends to end up on my New Year's buffet. Lots more goodies coming up, so stay tuned! Cest bon, cher!

 Spicy Cajun Party 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
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
2 tbs.'s fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 or 2 tbs's. Cajun seasoning
Salt and Tabasco to taste

In medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, and Worcestershire sauce. In separate large bowl, combine meat with all remaining ingredients. Combine the egg mixture with the meat and mix 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 crockpot on warm. Meanwhile make sauce.

Sauce

 
1 bottle chili sauce
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tsp. yellow or Creole mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup grape jelly
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 crockpot to keep warm.

******
Crab Stuffed Jalapenos

5 ounces cream cheese
3 ounces of grated sharp cheddar cheese
8 ounces lump crab meat
1 tsp. crushed garlic
1 green onion, chopped fine
juice of 1/2 lemon
salt to taste
12 large jalapenos, seeded and cut in half

Blanche the jalapenos in a large pot of boiling water for about 30 seconds
Plunge into ice water and drain.
Combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, crab meat, onions , salt, and lemon juice
in a medium sized bowl. Mix well. Makes 24
Fill the jalapenos and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. I love these because they're baked and not fried, but I also love the fried version.

Hot, spicy and delicious. Bon Appetit!

******
More Dancin'

I've received a few requests for some more Cajun dancing videos. Here's a little clip
that I took at this year's Festival Acadiens, in October. Not even a little mud will stop a Cajun from dancing! Let the good times roll, cher! 


Hope ya'll are having FUN, too! Merci beaucoup for stoppin' by!

25 comments:

Jo said...

Marguerite, we have a pot luck coming up at work next week, and I have been wracking my brains trying to think of something new and interesting to take, et voila! there is your wonderful recipe for Spicy Cajun Party Meatballs. Yay! I think they are going to be a HUGE hit...!

Cheers,
Jo

judi/Gmj said...

Looks wonderful. Sniff, sniff..?
Seafood Gumbo.. Oh yeah!

JennyMac said...

Those appetizers look SO good. My Hub loves meatballs and cajun and I have never seen this recipe. Thanks for sharing!

Lea Ann said...

Both of these appetizers sound WONderful. Thanks so much for the recipes.

Joanne said...

Very festive recipes for a festive time of year! Those meatballs look amazing :)

Vagabonde said...

Your appetizers look so yummy Marguerite. I can see how they can quickly disappear from the buffet table. Thanks for the recipes.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Loved them all dancing in the mud - I would definately not be a stick in the mud unless I started sinking LOL ~ How are you? Haven't seen you for a while! I expect you have been entertaining, cooking and dancing! Am I right? ~ Eddie x

Marguerite said...

Jo- Wow, now that's synchronicity! So glad you liked the recipe, cher! I think that they'll be a smashing success! They're a Cajun fave! Cheers!

judi- Looks like you took a detour on my sidebar! lol I do have that recipe on my blog. Oh, cest bon, cher! Try it, you'll like it!

JennyMac- Thanks, it's my pleasure to share it with you. The reason that you've never seen it is because I made it up about 20 years ago! Enjoy!

Lea Ann- Thanks so much for the sweet comment and for stopping by! Glad you like them. You're so welcome!

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Okay, I'm making those crab stuffed jalapenos, for sure! My family loves spicy appetizers.

Joanna Jenkins said...

I would never have thought to use evaporated milk in the meatballs but they sound great. Thanks for the tip.

I'm heading out of town for the week and won't have an internet connection. I'll catch up with you when I get back but in case I miss you, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

xo

Debbie said...

Those jalapeƱos sound so good. I would love those.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

crab stuffed jalepenos...genius and grape jelly in the meatball sauce!!!

whoop whoop

A Cajun Down Under said...

I have been trying to replicate my mom's meatballs for years with no luck. She and I made them together last week, and I found out that the secret ingredient is can milk. Obviously you already knew that trick. Your recipe looks fab! Can't wait to try them!

Marguerite said...

Joanne- Thanks, these meatballs are really good. The sauce is even more amazing! Merci for coming by, cher!

Vagabonde- Merci beaucoup, mon amis! I usually double the batch, for the holidays, for that very reason. You're welcome, my pleasure, cher!

Eddie- After dancing a while, you must kick off the rain boots and dance barefoot in the mud, to keep from slipping! You are right about all of the above. Busy, biz, maxed out, for sure! Cheers, cher!

Elizabeth- Glad you like em'. These crab stuffed jalapenos are one of my faves, year round. And very easy and baked in the oven! Enjoy!

Joanna- You're so welcome! It is one of the secret ingredients that my Mom always used in her meatballs. Bon voyage and Happy
Holidays to you, cher!

Carolyn R. Parsons said...

Wow that looks good. I wonder if I could make a vegetarian version of those!

Thanks for the follow over at my place

Breeze

Kora Bruce [Dixie Lust] said...

OH MY WORD - Crab Stuffed Jalapenos?!

Despite the fact that Im usually stuffed to the brim with poboys and gumbo, you always know how to make my mouth water for morrrrrrrrrre.


And yes Mardi Gras is riggght around the corner. Im sooo counting down the days

Nancy said...

Those meatballs are wonderful and I can't wait to try the crab-stuffed peppers. In fact maybe this next weekend! Thank you, as always, you are a fabulous hostess, Marguerite!

Marguerite said...

Debbie- So good to see you! Thanks! These are heavenly, especially chased down with a cold beer! Easy-breezy, too. Cheers!

Dave- The peppers are to die for, cher! And yes, the grape jelly gives such a great tang to the sauce. Loved your party post!

Cajun- That is great that you and your Mom made the meatballs, together! I bet she knows all of the Cajun cuisine secrets! Thanks, I'm so happy you like my recipe. Enjoy!

Breeze- Welcome to Cajun Country, cher! I don't know about the meatballs, but just omit the crab and add extra cheese for the stuffed jalapenos. Out of this world!

Likewise, it was my pleasure!

Marguerite said...

Kora- Camasava, cher? Just in case you would rather order them at a restaurant, Tampico's has them on their appetizer menu! And yes, I can't wait for Mardi Gras, either! Thanks for coming by!

Nancy- Thanks for the sweet compliment, cher, the pleasure is all mine! If you make them, you'll be glad you did. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

Anonymous said...

hiya


great forum lots of lovely people just what i need


hopefully this is just what im looking for looks like i have a lot to read.

Anonymous said...

Greetings

It is my first time here. I just wanted to say hi!

Marguerite said...

Jules- Thanks for your interest, but it depends on what part of the post you're talking about and how you plan on using it. Please email me.(my address is on my profile) Thanks.

Martha said...

I think I've died and gone to tailgating heaven! These cocktail meatballs sound so awesome and crab stuff jalapenos - WOW!!! I'm definitely going to try both as soon as possible and know they will both be added to my favorites!

Anonymous said...

just stopping by to say hello