Friday, March 21, 2014

Spicy Cajun Shrimp and Pasta + Time for Downtown Alive

Here's a lenten favorite that is bursting with flavor and perfect for those busy days. Succulent Gulf shrimp in a garlic-butter sauce over angel hair pasta will surely please your family and guests. One bite and you'll think you're in heaven, cher! Bon appetit!









Spicy Cajun Shrimp and Pasta

1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbs. olive oil
1 tbs. butter
2 tsp.'s minced garlic
1/4 cup onions, chopped
1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbs.'s lemon juice
1/4 cup white wine
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs. Cajun seasoning, divided
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces angel hair pasta, cooked according to package directions

Heat oil  and butter in a large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Saute the garlic, onions, and bell peppers, for 3 minutes. Add the lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce, and half of the Cajun seasoning.


Add the shrimp and continue cooking for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the wine and remaining Cajun seasoning and reduce heat and simmer for another 5 minutes. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and serve over pasta.



Serve with a big salad and hot French bread. Divine!

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Time for Downtown Alive

It's that time again for that wonderful Spring concert series in downtown Lafayette, better known as Downtown Alive. It's a huge block party held on Friday evenings at Parc International or Parc Sans Souci where there is a whole lotta awesome music and nitty-gritty dancin' going on. After the very cold winter that we've had in Cajun country and a stellar line up, it promises to be the best yet. Here's a little clip of  Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express rockin' the crowd at last year's Downtown Alive.

Happy Spring, Ya'll! Hope all of you have a funtastic weekend! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!


Saturday, March 1, 2014

Cajun Mardi Gras Drinks + Mardi Gras Fun

It's time to eat, drink, and be merry here in Cajun country and what better way to jump start your Mardi Gras celebration than with these yummy cocktails. Guaranteed to please your guests. Cheers!

Cajun Beer-Garita

2 tbs.'s coarse salt
1 lime wedge
3 oz.'s white tequilla
1 oz. triple sec
2 oz.'s fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. green Tabasco sauce
1  bottle of beer, chilled

Place salt on saucer. Rub the lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass and dip glass in salt to coat rim. Pour tequila, triple sec, lime juice, Tabasco, and crushed ice into blender and blend on high until creamy and smooth. Pour into half of a Margarita glass and turn a beer upside down into the glass.



 New Orleans Hurricane

1 1/2 ounces light rum
1  1/2 ounces dark rum
1 oz. orange juice
1 oz. lime juice
1/4 cup passion fruit juice
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. grenadine
Ice cubes
Orange slices and cherries for garnish

Combine all ingredients, except grenadine and ice, in a cocktail shaker, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in the grenadine and ice, and shake. Fill a hurricane glass, half full of ice and strain drink into glass. Garnish with an orange slice and marachino cherry.



Mardi Gras Kiss

1 1/2 ounces rum
1/2 ounce amaretto liqueur
1 oz. simple syrup
1 ounce pineapple juice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Add crushed ice and garnish with a lime slice.




(photos courtesy of Google Images)

Mardi Gras Fun

Here's a little clip of the Krewe of Rio parade which rolled in Lafayette on Saturday and they were really throwing some beads. More parades thru Fat Tuesday means lots more beads! Throw me somethin' Mister and let the good times roll, cher!



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For a live webcam of parades in New Orleans, click here.

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And here's a little clip of the Krewe de Vieux parade in New Orleans. Lots more beads!


Happy Mardi Gras Ya'll!!! Merci for stopping by!