Showing posts with label Cajun Baked Ham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cajun Baked Ham. Show all posts

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Cajun Easter Menu + Bayou Boogie

Spring is finally here in Cajun country and with it comes beautiful weather, crawfish boils, grilling on the patio, and Spring time desserts. With Easter right around the corner, I've been going through my recipes and trying to decide which ones to prepare for my Easter Sunday Buffet. This is what I have so far and I'll be adding more as I go along. All sinfully delicious, cher, and worth the calories. Bon Appetit!

Cajun Easter Menu

 Spicy Creole Deviled Eggs


8 hard boiled eggs
1/4 cup Miracle Whip Salad Dressing or mayo
2 green onions, including tops, chopped
1 tsp. Creole mustard
Salt to taste
1 tsp. Creole seasoning
Paprika for sprinkling


Peel eggs and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop yolks out and place in mixing bowl and mash yolks with a fork. Combine Miracle Whip, mustard, onions, Creole seasoning,  and salt in separate bowl and add to the mashed yolks and mix well. Fill egg whites with yolk mixture and sprinkle with paprika. Divine!   
   
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Spicy Cajun Crab Dip

 1 lb. lump crab meat
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
2 (8 oz.) pkg.'s cream cheese, softened
1/2 pint sour cream
4 tbs.'s mayo
1 tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. Creole mustard
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. or more, Cajun seasoning
Tabasco to taste

Combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, onion, lemon juice, mustard, and seasonings, in a large bowl. Mix well and fold in crab meat and cheddar cheese.


Place in a buttered 2 1/2 qt. casserole dish and bake @ 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with pastry shells, veggies, or crackers. Sinfully good!

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 Cajun Baked Ham w/ Bourbon Sugarcane Glaze

1 fully cooked ham, 6 to 8 lbs.

Glaze
1/2 cup pure cane syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup bourbon
1 tsp. creole mustard
Dash of ground cloves, cinnamon, and allspice

 

Place ham, fat side up in a large roasting pan. Place 1 inch of water in bottom of pan and add more periodically. Cover with foil and bake 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. Remove foil and 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. Scrumptious!

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Spicy Drunken Shrimp Kabobs

1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined, with tails left on
1 bottle Mexican beer, (I used Corona)
1 onion, quartered, then halved
1 green bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, 1 yellow bell pepper, quartered, then halved
1 tbs. Cajun seasoning
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. Zatarain's liquid crab and shrimp boil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbs.'s fresh lime juice
Vegetable oil
8 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning in bowl and chop veggies and set aside. Place beer, crab and shrimp boil; garlic, thyme, lime juice, and Worcestershire sauce in large ziploc bag. Add shrimp and veggies, seal, and place bag in fridge for 1 hour. Remove from bag and discard marinade. Brush shrimp with vegetable oil and add a little more seasoning, if desired. Place on skewers, alternating shrimp with veggies. Place skewers on medium-hot grill and grill for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Out of this world!

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Cajun Crab and Corn Casserole

1 lb. lump crabmeat
1 tbs. minced garlic
1/4 lb. butter
1/2 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Salt to taste
2 tbs.'s fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 (12 oz.) can Mexican corn, drained
3 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
3 ounces Romano cheese, grated



Melt the butter in a large saucepan on low heat. Add flour and stir until thickened. Continue cooking for 10 minutes and stir constantly until a blonde roux is formed. Add cheeses, whipping cream, milk, parsley, and seasonings. Cook until sauce thickens and cheese is melted. Add crabmeat and cook on low for 5 more minutes. Transfer mixture to a buttered casserole dish. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Yum!

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 Cajun Crawfish Jambalaya

1 lb. peeled crawfish tails
4 tbs.'s butter
1 lb. tasso, or ham, diced
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
2 tbs.'s minced garlic
1 (15 ounce) can diced Rotel tomatoes
3 cups chicken or seafood stock
2 to 3 bay leaves
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbs.'s Cajun seasoning, divided
2 tsp.'s dried thyme
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
Salt and Tabasco to taste
2 cups raw rice

Season crawfish with half of the Cajun seasoning and set aside. On medium heat, melt butter in large heavy pot or cast iron skillet . Saute tasso or ham until lightly browned, drain, and set aside.  Add onions to skillet and continue to saute about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add celery, bell peppers, and garlic, and saute and stir for 5 more minutes.

Stir in the crawfish tails, tomatoes, tasso or ham, and rice, and saute for 5 more minutes. Slowly add the stock,  then bay leaves, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, and other half of the Cajun seasoning. Mix well and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low, and simmer, without stirring for about 25 to 30 minutes.

Turn heat off when all of the liquid has been absorbed, adjust seasoning, and add green onions. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Cest bon!

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Nanny's Carrot Souffle w/ Praline Topping

2 tbs.'s butter
2 tbs.'s flour
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups mashed, cooked carrots
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 eggs, separated

Melt butter on low heat in heavy saucepan. Add flour and stir until well blended, but not browned. Add milk and stir and cook until thick. Remove from heat and add salt, sugar, and egg yolks. Beat egg whites until stiff in small bowl. Fold in carrots and egg whites and place in a buttered casserole dish. Top with praline topping. (recipe below) Set in a larger baking pan of 1 inch of water and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. So good!

Praline Topping

1/3 cup pecan pieces
1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tbs.'s butter, softened 


Combine in small bowl and mix well. 


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Spinach Madeleine

2 pkg.'s frozen chopped spinach
4 tbs.'s butter
2 tbs.'s flour
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup half and half
1/2 cup spinach liquid
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. each, celery salt and garlic salt
6 oz. Velveeta Mexican or Pepper Jack cheese, sliced into 1/4 inch cubes
1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Cook spinach according to package directions. Drain and reserve liquid, and place spinach in a buttered casserole dish. In medium saucepan, on low heat, melt butter and saute onion until soft. Add flour, stirring until blended and smooth, but not brown. Slowly add half and half, spinach liquid, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring constantly, until smooth and thick. Add seasonings, and cheese and stir until cheese is melted. Combine with spinach and top with seasoned breadcrumbs and dot with butter. Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Delicious!


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And although it is an Easter tradition in my family for guests to bring a dessert, I just can't resist making this easy Banana Pudding Cake w/ Praline Icing. Fab!

Banana Pudding Cake w/ Praline Icing

1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1 pkg. instant banana pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. almond extract
1 cup mashed bananas
2 tbs.'s rum, (optional)

In large bowl, stir together cake mix and pudding mix. Add eggs, oil, and mashed bananas,  and beat with electric mixer on low for 30 seconds. 

Add almond extract and beat on medium speed for 2 more minutes. Pour into prepared muffin pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool cake before icing with Praline Icing. (recipe below)

Praline Icing

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Melt butter in small saucepan. Add milk and sugar and stir and cook until well combined. Bring to a boil and lower heat and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Heavenly!

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Bayou Boogie

Here's a little clip of Louisiana Red,  a hot as Tabasco band, rockin' the crowd at this week's Rhythms on the River in River Ranch! Let the good times roll, cher!





Wishing ya'll a fabulous week and a very Happy Easter! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Cajun Easter Brunch Buffet

With Easter only one week away, I've been planning my Easter brunch buffet for my family and friends. I've been tweaking my buffet menu and I'll be including my family's faves and most guests will be bringing a salad or dessert to share. It will be quite a spread and packed with delectable Cajun favorites, with plenty of Bloody Mary's to go around. Cheers, cher!


This spicy quiche with jalapenos and mushrooms is very popular at my house and I'm sure that it will be at yours, too. Sometimes I add a cup of small cooked shrimp or crawfish tails, which are both also fab! Great with a Bloody Mary or two! Cheers, cher! Bon appetit!

Spicy Creole Breakfast Quiche

1 (9 inch) frozen, (thawed), or homemade deep dish pie shell 
1 cup cooked ham, cubed
1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded or cubed
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
3 tbs.'s fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp. dried thyme
6 large eggs
3/4 cup half-and-half
1 tsp. Creole  mustard
1 tsp. Creole seasoning,  (for my recipe,  click here)
Salt and Tabasco to taste
2 tbs.'s olive oil

In large skillet, saute the ham, mushrooms, onions,  green peppers, and jalapeno in the olive oil, for 10 minutes. Spread evenly on bottom of  pie shell.


In medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, cheese, mustard, parsley, thyme and Creole seasoning. Add salt and a few shakes of Tabasco, to your taste, and mix well.


Pour over ham mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes, before cutting.

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(Click on title to view recipe)

Spicy Cajun Boiled Shrimp w/ Remoulade Sauce











Cajun Crockpot Breakfast Casserole










Creole Deviled Eggs











Cajun Crab Dip (by popular demand)









Creole Shrimp Pasta Salad










Crawfish Jambalaya








Spinach Madeleine




Cajun Baked Ham w/ Sugarcane-Bourbon Glaze












Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins



  





Nanny's Sweet Potato Biscuits








 

And although some of my guests are bringing desserts, I wanted to make my Dad's favorite Easter Cake. One bite of this divine cake and you'll think you're in heaven, cher! Worth the calories!

Pina Colada Bundt Cake




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Lagniappe

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

And here's a little lagniappe for my wonderful followers. Thanks so much for your continued friendship and support. My recipe for Jalapeno Cream Sauce is (to die for) and great on pasta, crab cakes, and just about anything. Enjoy!

Jalapeno Cream Sauce

1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped fine
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 tbs. vegetable oil
Salt to taste

1 tbs. Creole mustard
1/3 cup whipping cream
2/3 cup light sour cream

Saute peppers and garlic in medium skillet, in oil over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients. Mix well. Makes 1 1/4 cups.


Cajun Bloody Mary's



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

Friday, December 21, 2012

Cajun Christmas Faves + Bayou Boogie

With just a few days to go before Christmas, I am making my list and checking it twice to make sure that I have everything that I need for our Christmas feast. Here are a few of my Christmas faves that I will be preparing for my family and friends. All are out of this world and this divine Kahlua Pecan Pie is so easy and is sinfully good! Bon Appetit!




Kahlua Pecan Pie

1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbs. flour
3 large eggs
1/2 cup Kahlua
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 cup pecan halves or pieces
1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie crust, unbaked

In large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the Kahlua, corn syrup, evaporated milk and pecans. Mix well and pour into the unbaked pie shell. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Reduce to 325 degrees and bake for 40 minutes. Fab!

 Click on recipe title to view recipes

Cajun Baked Ham w/ Sugarcane-Bourbon Glaze

Spicy Crawfish Jambalaya










 Cajun Cornbread Dressing










Brandied Sweet Potatoes









Loaded Baked Potato Casserole










Caramelized Onion-Mushroom Stuffing










Cajun Corn Casserole

Spinach Madeleine

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Bayou Boogie

Here's another little clip of my favorite band, Wayne Toups and Zydecajun, rockin' the crowd at this year's Festival Acadiens. Crank it up for this one and let the good times roll, cher!



Wishing all of you a blessed and very Merry Christmas! 
Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Cajun Thanksgiving Menu

With less than two weeks until Thanksgiving, I've been tweaking my Thanksgiving menu and  narrowing down the list of my family's faves. I like to include a few new recipes, as well as the ones that have been handed down from my dear mother and grandmother. This is what I have so far, and  I'll be adding a few more, so stay tuned. Desserts will be on a separate post.
 Bon appetit!

(CLICK ON RECIPE TITLE TO VIEW RECIPE)

Cajun Thanksgiving Menu

(Appetizers)


Cajun Fried Turkey w/ Giblet Gravy

(Sides)


Candied Sweet Potato Casserole * Creamy Scalloped Potatoes w/Bacon (recipe below) *

(Breads)

  Nanny's Sweet Potato Biscuits * Jalapeno-Sausage Cornbread * Mama's Cornmeal Biscuits

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I'll be sharing these at ~
Saturday Night Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table and Dreaming
Tuesday Talent Show @ Chef in Training 
These Chicks Cooked @ This Chick Cooks 
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage
     
*******
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes w/Bacon

5 large baking potatoes
1 tsp. salt
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
2 tsp.'s minced garlic
3 tbs.'s butter
1/3 cup flour
3 - 1/2 cups milk
12 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
2 tsp.'s Cajun seasoning, divided
5 slices bacon


Wash and peel potatoes and slice into 1/2 inch slices. Place in large pot of water, with salt, and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, drain, and transfer to a large bowl.


In large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain and crumble. Drain all but one tbs. of bacon fat and add onions, garlic, and peppers and saute for 5 minutes. Add veggie mixture and 1 tsp. of Cajun seasoning to the bowl and blend gently.


 On low heat, melt butter in large saucepan and whisk in flour. Slowly add the milk and continue to whisk for one minute. Add cheese and continue whisking until cheese melts. Stir in other tsp. Cajun seasoning, and bacon.


 Layer potato-veggie mixture in a buttered 13x9 inch baking dish and pour milk-cheese mixture over top. Bake uncovered in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Divine and compliments a ham perfectly.


Hope that ya'll are having a great weekend! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Cajun Easter Faves + Festival Countdown

It's almost time for Easter and I am excited about a little getaway that I'm planning for the weekend. It's the first Easter in a very long time that I won't be preparing an Easter brunch or dinner, but I wanted to share a few of my favorite Easter recipes with you. These are tried and true, mostly handed down from my dear mother, grandmother, or aunts, and I hope that you will try them and enjoy them. Bon appetit!

Baked Ham w/ Pineapple-Rum Glaze

1 8 to 10 pound spiral ham 
12 pineapple slices, juice reserved
12 maraschino cherries, drained
Ham glaze (recipe below)

Place ham on rack in large roasting pan and top with pineapple slices. Place cherries in center and anchor with toothpicks. Pour 1 inch of water into bottom of pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes per pound, basting often, and pouring the remaining glaze over ham during the last 15 minutes.

Pineapple-Rum Glaze
Melt 1/2 cup butter, in saucepan. Add 4 tbs. pineapple juice, 1/2 cup maple syrup, and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Cook and stir, until sugar is melted. Add 1 tbs. yellow mustard. Boil gently for 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and slowly add 1/4 cup rum, until blended. Baste ham often while baking. Divine! 

 For my Cajun Baked Ham w/ Sugarcane-Bourbon Glaze recipe, click here.



Click on recipe title to view recipes

Crab and Shrimp Jambalaya

 




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Festival Countdown!

It's almost time for the biggest and best festival in Cajun country! In just one week, the 25th annual Festival International de Louisiane, will take place from April 27-May 1, in downtown Lafayette. Six music stages located throughout downtown, with bands from 15 different countries, as well as the finest Cajun and Zydeco bands around,  and the most awesome Cajun and Creole food that you can imagine! That's right, 5 straight days of great music, food, and fun! Woo-hoo! This is my absolute favorite festival and it's all free! For a complete schedule, click here. To read more about this fantastic festival and see more pics, click here.  

And just to give you an idea of all the fun at this festival, here's a little clip that I took at last year's festival. Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas were rockin the crowd at Scene Chevron. This is only one of 500 artists that played during the festival! Let the good times roll, cher!


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