Cajun Grilled Favorites + Festival Fun

The weather has been perfect for grilling and I've been grilling up a storm. Here are a few of my family's grilled faves that are all out of this world and are so quick and easy to prepare. I will be posting some scrumptious sides to go along with these, so stay tuned.  Bon appetit!

Spicy Grilled Stuffed Jalapenos

Cajun BBQ Chicken w/ Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Cajun Grilled Veggie Kabobs w/ Lemon Butter Sauce

Cajun Blackened Grilled Catfish

Cajun Grilled Pork Chops

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Festival Fun

We are right in the middle of the Spring festival season in Cajun country and we've been having a blast! Going on this weekend in downtown Lafayette is the 30th Anniversary Festival International de Louisiane. For a complete schedule, click here.

And here's a little clip that I took at Bach Lunch at Parc Sans Souci in Lafayette. The Revelers were rockin' the crowd. Let the good times roll, cher! Merci beaucoup for passing by!

Cajun Ham w /Honey Mustard-Bourbon Glaze + Easter Menu + Bayou Boogie

With Easter only a few days away, I have been putting the finishing touches on my buffet menu. It is a tradition in my family to gather around noon for Bloody Mary's and Mimosas,  with a buffet style feast to follow. I will be preparing my family's Easter faves ( menu recipe links below) and most guests will be bringing a dish, as well. Plus a dear friend will be boiling some Louisiana crawfish on the patio. Life doesn't get any better than that, cher! Enjoy!

Cajun Ham w/ Honey Mustard - Bourbon Glaze

6-8 pound bone-in ham
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup Creole mustard
1/4 cup bourbon

For Oven

Place ham, fat side up in a large roasting pan. Cook at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes per pound or until meat thermometer reads 148 degrees. About half way through, make the glaze. Combine all glaze ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil for 2 minutes and remove from heat. Spread half of the glaze over the ham about 30 minutes before ham is done. Spread other half of glaze in the final 10 minutes. Remove to a large platter and let rest for 15 minutes before carving. Divine!

For Crock Pot 

Place the ham into a large crock pot,  flat-side down. Rub brown sugar on all sides. In medium bowl, mix honey,  pineapple juice, mustard, and bourbon, to make glaze. Pour 1/2 of the glaze over the ham and cover and cook on low for 4 hours.  Pour remaining glaze over ham and baste with juices from bottom of the crock pot and cover and cook on low for one more hour. Remove to a large platter and let rest for 15 minutes before carving. If you've never tried to cook a ham in a crock pot, you should definitely give this recipe a try! Out of this world and couldn't be easier and is guaranteed to please your family and guests!

And be sure and save the ham bone to make my Red Beans and Rice.
Click here for the recipe.

(Click On Recipe Title To View Recipe)

Grilled Bourbon Glazed Shrimp

  Spicy Cajun Crab Dip

Crawfish-Spinach Bread Bowl w/ Mini Toasts

 Spicy Creole Jambalaya

 Muffaletta Pasta Salad

 Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

Jalapeno-Cheese Biscuits

 Nanny's Strawberry Shortcake

 Bananas Foster Cheesecake

I'll be sharing these at ~
Strut Your Stuff Saturday @Six Sister's Stuff
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
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Bayou Boogie

We had an absolute blast at the Bach Lunch on Friday,  in Parc Sans Souci,  in downtown Lafayette. The Pine Leaf Boys were rockin' the crowd with their fabulous traditional Cajun sounds. This lunch is held every Friday, with local restaurants providing a boxed lunch and local bands providing the entertainment. More than a few people I know kick start their weekend here, since it is a Lafayette tradition to get off work at noon on Fridays. Oh the life of a Cajun is oh, so fun!

Pine Leaf Boys at Bach Lunch

Wishing you all a blessed and very Happy Easter! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Spicy Grilled Shrimp w/ Cajun Butter and Lemon Remoulade + More Cajun Fun on the Bayou

With the gorgeous Spring weather we've been having, I have been grilling up some fabulous, spicy shrimp. This is one of my favorite ways to prepare  seafood and it is out of this world!  Once I start eating these, it's very hard to stop! And the scrumptious Lemon Remoulade Sauce is perfect for dipping. So easy and delicious! Serve with a big tossed salad and garlic bread and a nice glass of white wine. Cest bon, cher!  Bon appetit!

Spicy Grilled Shrimp w/ Cajun Butter and Lemon Remoulade

First make the Cajun Butter.

Cajun Butter

1 stick butter, melted
1/2  tsp. cayenne pepper
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, (optional)
1 tbs. chopped fresh  parsley
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Combine all in small bowl and set aside.

Spicy Grilled Shrimp
1 lb. (16- 20 count) large shrimp, peeled and deviened, w/ tails left on
1 tbs. Cajun seasoning
1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
Tabasco to taste

Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, and Tabasco, baste with Cajun butter, and set aside for 10 minutes. Arrange shrimp in grill pan in a single layer. Grill on medium heat about 5 minutes on each side. Baste shrimp often. Fabulous, hot and spicy! Serves 4  Serve with this divine lemon remoulade sauce! Enjoy!

Lemon Remoulade Sauce

1 cup light mayonaise
1/8 cup Creole mustard
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 tbs. white wine vinegar
1 tbs. fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper


Whisk all ingredients together until well blended, and chill for 30 minutes before serving.
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More Cajun Fun on the Bayou!

Bach Lunch

We had an absolute blast at the first Bach Lunch of the season, on Friday, at Parc Sans Souci, in downtown Lafayette. It's a Lafayette tradition to go to this wonderful outdoor concert and lunch, at noon on Fridays, to kick off the weekend a little early. William A. Thompson and his New Orleans Jazz Band entertained the crowd.

Downtown Alive

Then later that evening, we went to the T.G.I.F block party at Downtown Alive, at Parc International. This is another weekly, Lafayette tradition where people go to hear and dance to great live music and visit with friends and family.  It was a beautiful evening and The Eric Lindell Blues Band was rockin' the crowd.

And for your enjoyment,  here's a little clip that I took of a Cajun two-step. Oh the life of a Cajun, is oh so fun! Let the good times roll, cher!

Wishing you all a wonderful Springtime week! Merci beaucoup for coming by!

HAPPY SPRING,  YA'LL!

Spring Fever on the Bayou ! + A Cajun Getaway !

We started off the weekend on Friday at noon, at this week's T.G.I.F. Bach Lunch, at Parc Sans Souci, in downtown Lafayette. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and 78 degrees, and just perfect for an outdoor concert and lunch. . It's all about preserving our fabulous Cajun culture and having fun! The addition of two beautiful concert parks to downtown Lafayette has enabled the city to host huge festivals and weekly concerts, at no cost to it's citizens. (click to enlarge)

The crowd was excited and dancing up a storm! Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole entertained the crowd with their soulful, traditional Cajun and Zydeco music! A mighty fine fiddle and band!

Some chose to sit and listen, while others chose to dance a few!

A bon ton' was had by all!

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Since we've been having one gorgeous Spring day, after another, here in Cajun country, I've really been enjoying all of the beautiful flowers and blooms. Just driving along my usual route, is absolute heaven! The azaleas are in full bloom and are everywhere. It is so wonderful and it all has given me a bit of Spring fever and a strong "ahnvie" to get out to nature, while the pristine weather lasts!

I will be going to the Atchafalaya Basin, better known as the "Henderson Swamp", for the weekend, cher and who only knows what fun Cajun adventures, await me there! This is the perfect time of year to go boating or just relax and enjoy the beauty of the basin.

I am renting my little floating, houseboat chalet, (on right) the same place that I had, the last time that I took a little impromptu getaway to the swamp.

We will also be going to Turtle's Bar, at Basin Landing. And eating some fabulous fresh seafood at Pat's Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant! I cannot wait to have a broiled seafood platter! Divine!

And Whiskey River Landing for the weekly, Sunday afternoon dance. Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin' Cajuns will entertain the crowd. Woo hoo! Hope to see ya'll there!

Laissez les bon temps rouler, cher! The life of a Cajun is oh so good! Hope that ya'll have a fun and fantastic weekend, mon cher amis!! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Spicy Shrimp Creole + A Fun Cajun Lunch!

It was such a beautiful Spring day, yesterday, that I decided to take a ride to Delcambre, Louisiana and buy some fresh shrimp, right off the docks. Delcambre is the "shrimp capital of the world", for real! The shrimp were on sale and I couldn't resist buying 10 lbs. of the beautiful fresh shrimp that are sold there. I figured that I would freeze these beauties in 2 lb. bags and use, as needed. When I arrived home, my dear son requested that I cook a Shrimp Creole, so that settled it for the first 2 lbs., for dinner last night. This spicy dish is bursting with flavor and can be served over rice, or with your favorite pasta. Add a big tossed salad, a good loaf of French bread, and a glass of wine, for a delicious meal that will delight your guests. Cest bon, cher! Bon Appetit!

Marguerite's Shrimp Creole

2 lbs. medium shrimp
2 tbs.'s olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper , chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 tsp.'s garlic, minced
1 bunch green onions, chopped, (including tops)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 16 oz. can finely diced canned tomatoes
1 8 0z. can of roasted garlic tomato sauce
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tbs.'s lemon juice
2 tbs.'s Creole or Cajun seasoning, divided
2 or 3 bay leaves
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
Salt and Tabasco to taste

Squeeze lemon juice on shrimp and season with 1 tbs. Creole or Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy skillet, over medium heat. Add onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic, and saute for 5 minutes. Add seasoned shrimp and saute for 5 more minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, white wine, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in green onions , parsley and Worcestershire sauce, cover and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cest bon, cher! Enjoy!

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T.G.I.F Fun at Bach Lunch!

Another picture perfect day, in Cajun country, with not a cloud in the sky! We headed down to the weekly Bach Lunch, at Parc Sans Souci, in downtown Lafayette. And yes, we do this every Friday, at noon, and then come back, every Friday night for Downtown Alive!! We found a happy crowd, enjoying the hot Cajun band, "The Saint Street Aces" and three different boxed lunches from several local eateries. There were a lot of children at today's Bach Lunch, and they were cutting the rug, as well. 

Merci beaucoup for stopping by, mon amis! Ya'll are the best!

Time for Spring , Downtown Alive, & Bach Lunch !

Spring is finally here and it feels fabulous! And it's time, once again, for Downtown Alive! The 26th annual Downtown Alive Spring concert series will kick off on Friday, March 12, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, at Parc International, in downtown Lafayette. It will run, on Fridays, through June 4th. This is the best T.G.I.F. block party that you will ever attend, with lots of great Cajun music, food, and fun! After the coldest and longest winter on record, this year's, Spring DTA will be especially sweet. Come on out and enjoy the beautiful weather and fantastic sounds of G.G. Shinn, Steve Adams and Smoke, w/ special guest Charlene Howard, playing their special, spicy brand of Swamp Pop and rock n' roll music. Let the good times roll, cher

Les Freres Michot

Also on tap for Friday is the second Bach Lunch of the Spring season. Get out of the office and start your weekend off right and make it down to Parc Sans Souci, for a delicious boxed lunch from three of our wonderful local restaurants, and the traditional Cajun sounds of Les Freres Michot. Lunches will be served from 11:30 am till sold out. Bach Lunch will run on Fridays, from 11:30 am till 1:00pm. through May .

And if you would rather dance now and eat later, you could always dine at one of our great downtown restaurants. My favorite Friday lunch spots are The Filling Station and Agave'. May I suggest the shrimp or crawfish stuffed avocado at The Filling Station or the Fiesta Salad at Agave' Mexican Grill and Cantina. And while you're there, be sure and sample one of their divine frozen Margaritas! Cest bon, cher! Cheers!

Wishing you all a fab weekend, filled with good times and fun! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Another Great Cajun Weekend !

It was a glorious fall weekend, in Cajun Country. Blue skies, sunny, and warm! We kicked off the weekend, on Friday, at the Bach Lunch in Parc Sans Souci, in downtown Lafayette. The Lost Bayou Ramblers entertained the crowd with their high spirited, traditional/eclectic Cajun tunes.

It's been such a pleasure to be outdoors with the beautiful weather that we've been having for over a week, now. Here is a clip of the Lost Bayou Ramblers playing to a front row of fans from the next generation of Cajun music lovers. The children are students from St. Cecilia Elementary School and they were on a field trip.

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The Giant Omelette Festival

Then on Saturday and Sunday, it was on to the Omelette Festival in Abbeville. The Giant Omelette Celebration was a blast with lots of good Cajun music and food! Abbeville really knows how to party! (click to enlarge)

Downtown Abbeville was packed with a rowdy crowd, and they went wild when the chefs started to saute "the trinity". ( 50 lbs of chopped onions, 85 bell peppers, and 100 stalks of celery) Add to this 50 lbs. of butter and crawfish! It was fabulous!

The arts and craft show in Magdalen Square
was one of the best that I've ever seen. !

These cheese stuffed, bacon-wrapped jalapenos from Azul Tequila Mexican Restaurant, were my faves. Cest bon!

Here's a clip I took of the chefs pouring in the 5,000 eggs and the members of the Tabasco Dance Troop, adding the hot sauce. Let the good times roll, cher!

Hope that ya'll had a fun weekend, too! Merci beaucoup for stopping by and for all of your great comments! I'll be back soon to share some of my favorite Cajun Thanksgiving recipes. Have a wonderful week, everyone!!

Oh Big Fun on the Bayou!

The threat of severe thunderstorms could not stop the crowd that was at the T.G.I.F party in downtown Lafayette today. We started with the Bach Lunch at noon with music by Corey Ledet and His Zydeco band and a delicious seafood lunch catered by Stan's Downtown. After the concert we headed over to Artmosphere for a little R and R and a chocolate martini. They have the most divine chocolate martinis there. It was about 4 pm when we heard that tonight's Downtown Alive had been cancelled due to inclement weather expected. The weather looked fine to me;  80 degrees and sunny. 

So we had to change plans and decided to head over to Randol's Restaurant and Dancehall for some Cajun dancing and boiled crawfish. By this time it was raining lightly but no biggie, as we're accustomed to torrential rain, at times. After dancing a while, our dinner came; seafood gumbo and crab dip for starters. And boiled crawfish and a seafood platter for finishers. Ca cest' bon, cher! 

 And tomorrow, we will be going to a special edition Bach Lunch concert from 4 to 10 pm, in Parc Sans Souci, in downtown Lafayette. In celebration of the 21st anniversary of Bach Lunch, there will be an incredible triple header concert with Les Freres Michot, Cedric Watson and Creole Bijou and Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-Stars, entertaining the crowd at this great show. Don't miss it! Oh, the life of a Cajun! Let the good times roll!

Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band

Bach Lunch Returns

Springtime in Acadiana means fun time! With the beautiful weather we've been having, it's a great time to get out and enjoy everything that Acadiana has to offer. The spring concert series for the popular Bach Lunch series has begun. It is held every Friday, through May 1st, at Parc Sans Souci in downtown Lafayette. The music for this week's concert will be provided by Hunter Hayes, and the boxed lunches will be served by Hub City Diner, Poupart's Bakery, and Tsunami Sushi, for $6.00 each. Jump start your weekend and come on down to Bach Lunch for a delightful TGIF lunch and concert, especially all of you who get off work at noon, on Friday. ( a Lafayette tradition) The bands perform from noon to 1 p.m. and the lunches are served from 11:15 am till sold out. In case of rain, Bach Lunch will be held at the Lafayette Natural History Museum and Planetarium. For a complete schedule, click here.

And don't forget to be sure and catch the first Downtown Alive of the spring season, also this Friday, March 13th. T.K. Hulin and Smoke w/ special guest, Charlene Howard will play the best Louisiana swamp pop and rock n' roll music that you've heard in ages. Click here for a complete Downtown Alive schedule. And if you're looking for a fun festival to go to this weekend, The 10th annual Catfish Festival will be going on in Washington, La. With an incredible entertainment line up, this year's festival will include Rockin' Dopsie and The Zydeco Boogie, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, and Keith Frank and the Soileau Family Band and many others. And of course, tons of delicious catfish prepared a mulitude of ways. See ya'll there! Let the Good Times Roll!