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!