Cajun Christmas Eve Party Buffet

With only one week to go until Christmas Eve, I have been trying to finalize my menu for my Christmas Eve party buffet. I like to have an assortment of family favorites served in a casual buffet style and let guests help themselves whenever they choose. Here is what I have so far, and I'm sure that I'll be adding a few more along the way. Bon Appetit!

Appetizers

Crawfish Spinach Bread Bowl 

Spicy Sausage Bites w/ Cheesy Beer Dip

Spicy Cajun Shrimp Dip w/ Mini Croissants

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Spicy Creole Crab Balls

1 lb. lump crabmeat, picked over
1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers
1 large egg
1/4 cup mayo
1 tsp. Creole seasoning
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. Creole or Dijon mustard
2 tbs.'s chopped bell pepper
2 tbs.'s chopped green onions
Vegetable oil for frying

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the egg mayo, Creole seasoning Worcestershire sauce, and Creole mustard. Add crab meat and mix gently. Add cracker crumbs evenly. Stir in the peppers and green onions. Form the mixture into 3 inch balls. ( I used a melon scoop) and place on a large cookie sheet and chill for 1 hour. Deep fry at 350 degrees for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and transfer to a serving platter. Serve with my Creole Tartar Sauce. Fab!

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(click on titles to view recipes)

Sides

Muffaletta Pasta Salad

Cajun Crab and Corn Casserole  

 Sausage Cornbread Dressing

Candied Sweet Potato Casserole

 Cajun String Bean Casserole

Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce

And I'll also be serving my Cajun Ham w/Honey Mustard Bourbon Glaze, which may be baked in the oven or prepared in your crock pot. So easy in the crock pot and frees up the oven for other delights. Cest bon, cher, and guaranteed to please your family and guests.

And a batch of my heavenly Peppermint Martinis. Enjoy!



Hope you all are having a wonderful, fun-filled week! Merci beaucoup for stopping by! Cheers, cher!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS YA'LL

Last Minute Cajun Holiday Faves + Cajun Holiday Drinks

Tis the season for holiday parties and having guests over. In my search for some new appetizers to serve my guests, I recently re-invented this scrumptious Stuffed Muffaletta Bread. Makes a great last minute appetizer and so easy for those busy days. Out of this world, cher! And the Creole Mustard Dip is fab! (recipe below) Bon appetit!

Stuffed Muffaletta Bread w/ Creole Mustard Dip

1 (13.8 oz.) can refrigerated pizza dough
1/2 cup olive salad, drained
1 cup shredded cheese
(combination of provolone, asagio, and mozarella)
1/4 cup each diced deli ham and salami
Red pepper flakes to taste



Unroll the dough and place on a nonstick cookie sheet. Spread the olive salad over the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch edge around the perimeter.

Layer the ham and salami and top with red pepper flakes.Sprinkle the cheese on top of the olive/ meat mixture. Roll from a long edge to about a 3 inch diameter. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes and slice into 2 inch slices. Serve with Creole Mustard Dip. (recipe below)

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Creole Mustard Dip

2 cups sour cream
1/4 cup diced onions
2 tbs.'s chopped green onions
1/4 cup Creole mustard
1 tsp. Creole or Cajun seasoning




Mix all ingredients in mixing bowl until well blended. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Stir well when ready to serve and transfer to a dip bowl.

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And for your dessert table, why not try these heavenly Chocolate Chip - Pecan Pie Bars. With over 90,000 views making them the #1 recipe on Cajun Delights for 2013, they're sure to be a hit. Sinfully good, cher and worth the calories.

Chocolate Chip - Pecan Pie Bars

1 (1/2) cups flour
3 tbs.'s flour
3tbs.'s brown sugar
1 stick butter
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tbs.'s butter
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Combine flour and 3 tbs.'s brown sugar in medium bowl. Cut in the stick of butter, until crumbly. Press into a buttered 8 x 11 inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated , 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.

In large bowl, combine the eggs, corn syrup, 1/2 cup brown sugar, pecans, 2 tbs.'s butter, vanilla, salt, and chocolate chips and mix well. Pour over baked crust and bake for 20 to 25 more minutes. Cool completely and cut into bars.



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For more of my holiday desserts, click here.

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Cajun Holiday Cocktails

And for a little lagniappe, here are a few of my favorite drinks to serve during the holidays. Enjoy! Cheers, cher!

Cajun Dirty Martini

1 ounce Absolute Peppar vodka

2 ounces vodka, cold
1 dash dry vermouth
2 large jalapeno-stuffed green olives
1 dash olive juice (to taste)
Crushed ice

Mix vodkas, vermouth, and olive juice with ice into cocktail shaker and blend for 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with jalapeno stuffed olive.

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Black Santa Martini

4 ounces coffee liqueur
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces peppermint schnapps
Crushed ice
Mint leaves or peppermint sticks for garnish

Place all ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake for a few minutes and pout into martini glasses. Garnish with mint leaves and/ or peppermint sticks. Serves 2 Out of this world!
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And for the morning after the party!

Cajun Bloody Mary's

Absolute vodka to taste 
64 oz. tomato juice
1 Tbs. Tony's Creole seasoning
1 Tbs. prepared horseradish
1 tsp. 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 or pitcher.
Garnish with celery tops and olives and small cocktail onions.

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Wishing You All a Very Merry Christmas! 

JOYEAUX NOEL!

Last Minute Cajun Christmas Treats

Here is one of my favorite holiday stress relievers that is oh so yummy and decadent. Perfect as an after dinner drink or anytime you want a sinfully delicious treat! Guaranteed to please your guests, cher. Cheers and happy holidays!

 Peppermint Martini

 First prepare the glass.

Dip rim of martini glass in white crème de cacao and swirl several times in a plate of crushed candy canes.

 2 oz. vodka
1 oz. white creme de cacao

1 oz. peppermint schnapps
1/2 cup crushed ice

Candy canes

Combine vodka, creme de cacao,  and schnapps over ice in shaker. Shake well and strain into prepared martini glass. Garnish with a candy cane.

For more fabulous Cajun Christmas drinks, click here.

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And here is a wonderful Cajun breakfast treat that I love to serve on Christmas morning. It is assembled the night before and popped into the oven in the morning. Out of this world!

Praline French Toast 

6 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup half and half

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 cup butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

2 tablespoons Karo light corn syrup

1 loaf French bread, sliced

Slice bread into 1 inch thick slices and arrange in a greased 13x9 inch baking dish. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, half and half, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour half of the egg mixture evenly over bread  slices, soaking well. Repeat with second layer.

For praline topping, mix together butter, light brown sugar, chopped pecans and light corn syrup. Spread on top of each slice of bread on top layer. Cover with foil and place dish in refrigerator overnight. The next morning, remove foil and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Bon appetit!

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

JOYEAUX NOEL!