Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Cajun Breakfast Faves + Bayou Boogie

Here are a few of my favorite breakfast recipes that I am planning on preparing for out of town guests during the holidays. Yes, Christmas is really less than one month away, but these scrumptious breakfast treats are fab anytime. All divine and guaranteed to please your family and guests, cher.
Bon appetit!

Cajun Bloody Marys

Vodka to taste 
64 oz. tomato juice
1 tbs. Tony's Creole seasoning
1 tbs. horseradish
1 tsp. A-1 steak sauce
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs. Tabasco
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Mix all ingredients and shake well in a clean gallon jug and serve in a pitcher with your favorite garnishes .


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Cajun Brunch Casserole 

6 croissants, torn into 1 inch pieces
8  strips bacon, fried crisp and crumbled, divided
1 cup cooked ham, cubed
8  large eggs
2 cups milk
3 tbs.'s butter
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, (any color), chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 or 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
1 tbs. Cajun seasoning
1 tsp. dried thyme
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

In large skillet, saute the onion, bell peppers, and garlic, in the butter, for 5 minutes and set aside. Meanwhile, tear croissants into bite sized pieces in large bowl.


In large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, Cajun seasoning, and thyme. Add 1 cup of the  cheese and mix well.  Pour over bread pieces, add the veggie mixture, ham, and half of the bacon, and mix well.


Transfer to a buttered 13 x 9 inch baking dish and bake in a preheated 350 degrees, uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with more cheese and remaining bacon and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes.


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Jalapeno Cheese Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbs.'s sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tbs. baking powder
1/2 cup (1 stick cold unsalted butter)
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (1/4) cups heavy whipping cream


Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Sift the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Cut the butter in 1/2-inch pieces. Using your fingertips, rub the butter and flour mixture together until it resembles a coarse meal; add the jalapenos and cheese. Add the cream and mix with your hands. When barely combined, turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead just enough to bring the dough together. Roll out to a 1-inch thickness. Cut with a floured 1 1/2- to 2-inch cutter. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven, in the center of the oven,  for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.

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And my absolute fave! Yum! Click on title to view recipe.

Praline French Toast



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I'll be sharing these @

Hodgepodge Friday @ It's a Hodgepodge Life
Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sister's Stuff 
See Ya in the Gumbo @ Ms EnPlace

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Bayou Boogie

Here's another little clip that I took at Festival Acadiens in October of one of my favorite bands. Wayne Toups and Zydecajun were really rockin' the crowd and there was a whole lot of nitty gritty dancin' going on. Crank it up for this one and let the good times roll, cher!



 Hope you are all having a fun and fabulous week! Merci beaucoup for coming by!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Decadent Holiday Desserts

With Thanksgiving only a few days away, I am putting the finishing touches on my dessert menu. I am making all of my family's faves and they are so sinfully delicious that they are sure to be a hit at your house too. Here are a few totally decadent desserts that will be gracing my dessert table and I'm sure that I'll be adding a few more before it's all over. Worth every calorie, cher! Enjoy!

Kahlua Fudge Cake w/ Kahlua Fudge Frosting

2 cups flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 tsp.'s baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup butter at room temperature
1 2/3 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup Kahlua


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cake pans with butter and dust with flour. Mix the 2 cups flour, cocoa, baking soda, powder, and salt until well blended. Beat the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, in large bowl with electric mixer until fluffy. 

Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with milk, until blended. Stir in the Kahlua. Pour into prepared pans, (I used a bundt pan) and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans, and cool completely, before frosting.














Kahlua Fudge Frosting

2 cups confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
 2 tbs.'s Kahlua

Combine first three ingredients in heavy saucepan and stir in milk. Add butter and bring to a boil. Cook and stir over medium heat for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and Kahlua and beat on low with an electric mixer, until desired consistency. Frost cooled cake.

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Pumpkin-Pecan Bread Pudding w/ Praline-Bourbon Sauce

1 (1/2) cups evaporated milk
1/2 cup each, white sugar and brown sugar
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 loaf "day old" French bread, torn into pieces



Whisk together the first seven ingredients, in large bowl. Add bread and mix well to coat. 
Spoon into a buttered 9x13 baking dish. Place into a larger baking pan, filled with 1 inch of water.


Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven, for 35 to 40 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. Cover with foil if the top becomes too browned. Serve with Praline-Bourbon Sauce. (recipe below)



Praline-Bourbon Sauce 

1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup light brown sugar
1 small can evaporated milk

4 tbs.'s butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tbs.'s bourbon, (optional)

Melt butter in saucepan, and then add brown sugar, milk, and pecans. Bring to a boil and lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in bourbon. Serve warm over bread pudding. 


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And here are a few other scrumptious desserts that I will be serving.  Fab!

Click on titles to view recipes.

Creole Pecan Pie










Bananas Foster Cheesecake










Chocolate Chip-Pumpkin-Nut Bread









 Bon appetit!

I'll be sharing these @ 
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage 

Wishing all of you a blessed and very Happy Thanksgiving! Merci beaucoup for coming by!

Monday, November 12, 2012

Cajun Roast Turkey w/ Cornbread Oyster Stuffing + Thanksgiving Sides

It's that time of year again to begin planning my Thanksgiving menu. I like to look through my stash of treasured recipes handed down from my dear mother and grandmother and create a menu that honors them, but also includes a few of my own as well. Here is what I have so far and I'll be adding more, so stay tuned.  Out of this world and sure to please your family and guests. Cest bon, cher!

Cajun Roast Turkey w/ Cornbread Oyster Stuffing

1 10 to 12 lb. turkey
2 stalks celery, quartered
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 onion, coarsely chopped
2 tsp.'s garlic, minced
Cajun turkey rub to taste (recipe below)
2 to 3 cups chicken broth
4 tbs.'s fresh thyme, chopped and divided
4 tbs.'s fresh parsley, chopped and divided
2 tbs.'s fresh sage, chopped and divided

Wash turkey inside and out and pat dry with paper towels. Rub entire bird with the Cajun rub, including cavity. Make a slit under the skin of the breast and stuff with garlic, salt, and half of the herbs. Stuff cavity with celery, remaining herbs, and onions.

Tie legs together, and tuck wings back, dot with butter,  and place in a large shallow roasting pan with rack. Add 1 cup of chicken broth to the pan and bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 3 to 4 hours (for unstuffed), and 3 (1/2) to 4 (1/2) hours for stuffed, or until a meat thermometer reaches 180 degrees.

 Add more chicken broth, as needed during cooking and baste often with a turkey baster. Remove and discard vegetables in cavity and reserve pan drippings for gravy. Let turkey rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving. Fab!

Cajun Turkey Rub

 2 tbs.'s salt
2 tbs.'s onion powder

2 tbs.'s garlic powder
2 tbs.'s paprika
1 tbs. cayenne pepper
1 tbs. black pepper
1 tbs. bay leaves, crushed
1 tbs. dried sage

1 tbs. dried thyme

Combine all ingredients and blend well.

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Click on Title to View Recipes

Cornbread Oyster Stuffing






Nanny's Praline-Sweet Potato Casserole 


String Bean Casserole

Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce













Mama's Sweet Potato Biscuits














Bon appetit!

I'll be sharing these at ~
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage 
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

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More Festival Fun

Here's a little clip that a friend of mine took at Festival Acadiens in October. Wayne Toups and ZydeCajun were reving it up and the crowd was going wild. Lassier les bon temps rouler, cher!



Hope that ya'll have a wonderful, fun week. Merci beaucoup for stopping by!