Pina Colada Bread Pudding + A Fab Cajun Dinner + More Bayou Blues

Here's another one of my family's favorite desserts that is just out of this world and will have you going back for more. Sometimes I like to make this luscious bread pudding in my slow cooker and eat it for breakfast with a good strong cup of Community coffee and sometimes I bake it in the oven. One bite of this decadent treat and you'll think you're in heaven, cher! It's the next best thing to being on a sunny island. Cest bon, cher! Enjoy!

Pina Colada Bread Pudding w/ Rum Sauce

1 (16 oz.) loaf French bread, (torn into bite sized pieces
1 (10 oz.) can frozen pina colada drink mix
6 oz. pineapple juice
1 large can, (12 oz.) evaporated milk
1/2 cup cream of coconut
1/2 cup flaked coconut
2 small bananas, sliced
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup light rum
1 small can, (8 oz.) crushed pineapple

In large bowl, tear bread into bite sized pieces. Place the next 8 ingredients in blender, and blend until smooth. Stir in the crushed pineapple. Combine mixture with the bread pieces and stir well to coat. Place in slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours. Serves 8.

If you prefer to bake it in the oven, follow the basic recipe, and place mixture into a lightly greased baking dish, and then into a larger pan of water about 2 inches deep. Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Top with whipped cream,  or if you want a little added touch of decadence, serve with my rum sauce. (recipe below)

Rum Sauce

1/2 stick butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg yolk, beaten

2 tbs.'s water

2 tbs.'s dark rum

Melt butter in saucepan. Add the sugar, egg yolk, and water. Bring to a boil and cook on a full boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add the rum. Strain and serve over bread pudding. Bon appetit!

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A Fab Cajun Dinner

It was another great weekend, and I decided to reward myself for two weeks of sticking to my diet, by going out to dinner at Copeland's Restaurant, for a dear friend's birthday celebration. It was a perfect occasion to go off the diet and feast on some delectable Cajun cuisine. Here are a few of the dishes that we sampled.  All sinfully good! My darling daughter snapped these with her I Phone because I did the unthinkable and forgot my camera!

New Orleans Crab Cakes w/ Shrimp Alfredo Sauce over Angel Hair Pasta
 

Crab Stuffed Catfish Bordelaise

Red Beans and Rice w/ Grilled Andouille Sausage

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 More Bayou Blues

And the celebration continued over at Artmosphere Bistro and Art Gallery, in downtown Lafayette. The Bayou Blues Jam was already in progress, when we arrived.  Some of my old pals from Abbeville were on the stage, and jammin' down. My son's friend was tearing it up on the harp and singing the blues. Geaux Paul, Ronnie, and Jerry! Let the good times roll, cher!

Wishing ya'll a warm and happy week! Merci beaucoup for coming by!