Crockpot Stuffed Bell Peppers + Merci Beaucoup!

Here's a family fave that is so easy and is perfect for those busy days. These peppers are bursting with flavor and they are a great way to use up all of those bell peppers from the garden. Enjoy!

6  bell peppers, any color
1-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef or pork
1 cup cooked rice
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 tsp.'s minced garlic
1 tbs. Cajun seasoning
1/4 cup  fresh parsley
1 (16 oz.) can chopped tomatoes
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
Few shakes Tabasco
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce

 Brown ground beef or pork in heavy skillet and drain excess oil. Add tomatoes, onion, and garlic, and parsley, and saute and stir for 10 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add rice and seasoning,  and mix well.

Stuff bell peppers and arrange them in a large crock pot that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Place tomato sauce in a small bowl and add a few shakes of Tabasco and Worcstershire sauce, and mix well.  Pour tomato sauce over peppers. If desired, add 1 cup of shredded cheese to the peppers in the last 30 minutes of cooking time. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

Fab! Serve with a big salad, and my Bacon-Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins. Click here for the recipe.

I am sharing these at ~

Southern Sundays @ Slice of Southern

 Merci Beaucoup

I'd like to thank all of you who have sent kind wishes and prayers our way, before, during, and after Hurricane Issac. I am happy to say that we have received minimal damage from wind and rain during this storm, so far, here in Lafayette, but Issac is not finished yet!  More rain and wind are predicted for tomorrow, so the situation can change at any time. So please continue to pray for the entire gulf coast. Many thanks in advance and merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Cajun Seafood Pasta Salad + A Cajun Waltz

Here's a Cajun fave that is out of this world and is just perfect on a warm summer evening. The succulent seafood and spicy jalapeno dressing make this salad rock with flavor. Guaranteed to please your family and guests, cher, and have them coming back for more. Serve with a fresh garden salad, French bread, and a nice glass of wine, for a great summer meal. Bon Appetit!

Cajun Seafood Pasta Salad

1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 lb. peeled crawfish tails, if available
1/2 lb. lump crab meat
5 strips bacon, cooked, drained, and crumbled
2 tbs.'s olive oil plus more for drizzling
1 onion, diced
1 bell pepper, (any color) chopped
2 tsp.'s minced garlic
1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 pkg. small pasta shells 
Jalapeno Ranch Dressing (recipe below)

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, rinse,  and place in large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, and add 1 tsp. Cajun seasoning. Mix well and set aside. In large skillet, saute seafood, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and parsley, for about 10 minutes to 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, cover, and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Meanwhile make the dressing. Add seafood mixture to pasta bowl and mix well.

Jalapeno Ranch Dressing

1 1/4 cups, no-fat buttermilk 

3/4 cup light mayo

1 tsp. Creole mustard

2 tsp.'s white vinegar

2 tbs.'s lemon juice

1 tsp. crushed garlic

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

1 tbs. fresh parsley, minced

1 tsp. Cajun seasoning

Salt to taste

Whisk ingredients together in the order given, in a mixing bowl. Pour over seafood pasta mixture, top with bacon bits, mix well, and chill until ready to serve. Fab! Enjoy!

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A Cajun Waltz

Here's a little clip that I took of the crowd enjoying a Cajun waltz at last year's Festival Acadiens. This wonderful festival will take place on October 12, 13, and 14, 2012,  for those of you who may want to make your reservations, now. Three days of non stop Cajun and Creole music, food, and fun. For a complete schedule, click here. Let the good times roll, cher!



I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all of my new followers and many thanks for following. Hope that you will enjoy the recipes and music. Please leave a comment so that I can follow you back. Hope that you're having a wonderful, fun weekend! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding w/ Kaluha Fudge Sauce + Bayou Boogie

Here's a family fave that is out of this world and is sure to please your family and guests. Luscious chocolate chip bread pudding topped with a sinful Kahlua fudge sauce and a scoop of ice cream, make this a perfect summertime treat. When I tell you that it's heavenly, then you know that I mean it, cher! Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding w/ Kahlua Fudge Sauce

1 lb. cubed day old French bread (6 cups)

1 cup sugar 

4 large eggs 

1 tsp. vanilla extract 

3 cups milk 

1 1/4 cups chocolate chips

1 cup chopped pecans

Spray a baking dish (9 x 11 inch) with Baker's Joy and line with  French bread cubes. In medium mixing bowl, beat together sugar and eggs, until light and fluffy. Add milk and vanilla and beat until combined. Pour over bread cubes and let soak for 30 minutes.

Stir in chocolate chips and pecan pieces until evenly dispensed throughout the bread pudding. Place in a larger baking pan filled with 1 1/2 inches of water and  bake in a preheated 350 degree oven, for 45 to 50 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.

 

Kahlua Fudge Sauce

1 cup heavy cream or half and half
1/4 cup sugar 

1/2 cup Kahlua

2 tbs.'s cornstarch 

1 tbs. water

In a small sauce pan, heat heavy cream, sugar and Kahlua over  medium heat. Combine cornstarch and water and mix until cornstarch is dissolved. Whisk into cream mixture and stir until thickened. Top individual servings of bread pudding with sauce and a scoop of ice cream, and maybe a little whipped cream, topped with a cherry. Yum!

I'll be sharing this at ~

Southern Sundays @ A Slice of Southern 
Potpourri Friday @ 2805

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 And here's another one of my favorite summertime, bread pudding desserts,  Blueberry Bread Pudding w/ Lemon Sauce. Click here for the recipe. Fab!

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Bayou Boogie

Here's a little clip of one of Cajun country's favorite dance bands playing a fast two step.. Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys were really rockin' the crowd at this year's Gator by the Bay Festival. Crank it up for this one, cher, and let the good times roll!

 Hope that ya'll are having a super summer weekend! Merci beaucoup for coming by!