Cajun Easter Buffet Faves

It's almost time for Easter and I've been tweaking my menu for our annual Easter Sunday Buffet. The weather forecast is for beautiful Spring weather, so we'll be boilin' up a storm on the patio, (crawfish and shrimp) and grillin' a few things too, in addition to these sinfully delicious faves. Guaranteed to please your family and guests.  Cest bon', cher!! Bon Appetit!

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

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!

^^^^^^
 (click on title to view recipe)

Creole Deviled Eggs

 

Cajun Crawfish Dip

Spicy Boiled Shrimp w/ Remoulade Sauce

Cajun Potato Salad

Boiled Crawfish Pasta Salad

Crawfish Jambalaya

Spinach Madeleine

Jalapeno Cheese Biscuits

 Banana Pudding Cake w/ Praline Icing

Blueberry Bread Pudding w/ Lemon Sauce

Hope Ya'll have a blessed and very Happy Easter!

Pecan Pie Bread Pudding + Festival Preview

Here's a luscious Cajun treat that's just out of this world and guaranteed to please your family and guests.  The delicious taste of Pecan Pie in a yummy bread pudding. And for a little bit of extra decadence, top with my bourbon whipped cream! (recipe below)  Cest bon, cher! And don't worry about the calories. You can always dance them off!

 Pecan Pie Bread Pudding w/ Bourbon Whipped Cream

16 ounce loaf of day old French bread, torn into pieces
1 cup pecan pieces
6 large eggs
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup half and half
2 cups milk
5 tbs.'s butter, melted
1 tbs. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt

Tear bread into 2 inch pieces in large bowl. Add pecans and toss well. Transfer to a buttered 9 x 13 baking dish and set aside.

 In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and brown sugar for about 4 minutes on medium. Add the vanilla extract and mix for 1 minute.

Add the corn syrup, half and half, milk, melted butter and salt and mix on low until combined. Pour mixture over bread, pressing down to coat and let stand for 1 hour.

Place baking dish in a larger roasting pan, filled with 2 inches of water and bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.

 Bourbon Whipped Cream

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbs. bourbon




Mix the wet ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk in the confectioners sugar. Whip the mixture with an electric mixer until raised peaks form, (about 4 minutes)


^^^^^^^
 Festival Preview

 It's time once again for my favorite festival, Festival Acadiens et Creoles. This year's festival will host 5 music stages and dozens of booths at the Bayou Food Festival, packed with tons of sinfully delicious Cajun and Creole delights. Guaranteed to be a total blast!

Here's a little clip that I took at last year's festival of the nitty-gritty dancin' going on at the Salle de Danse, better known as the Boomer Tent.



For a complete schedule, click here.  Let the good times roll, cher! 

Bayou Bourbon Burgers + Cook Out Menu

Here's a Cajun fave that is bursting with spicy flavors and will have your family and guests coming back for more and begging you for the recipe, cher.  These sinfully delicious burgers are so easy to make and just perfect for your Memorial Day celebrations and summer cookouts. I've also included my Memorial Day cookout menu with links to each scrumptious recipe.
Bon appetit!

Bayou Bourbon Burgers

2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 tbs. Tabasco sauce

1 tbs. liquid smoke
2 tbs.'s minced garlic

1/2 cup onions, finely chopped
1 or 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped

1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt

6 large burger buns
3 tbs.'s butter, melted

Place meat and all other ingredients in large bowl and mix gently, but thoroughly. Shape meat mixture into 6 patties and cover with foil and chill for one or more hours. Preheat gas grill on medium- high heat or charcoal grill on medium- high and cook for 7 to 10 minutes on each side, for medium. Baste before and after with my Bourbon BBQ Sauce, (recipe below), turning once, halfway. Baste buns with melted butter and grill to the side for 5 minutes to toast. Garnish with your favorite toppings.
 

Bourbon BBQ Sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup bourbon

2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup cane syrup

1 tbs. Creole mustard

1 tbs. Liquid Smoke

1 tsp. Tabasco sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tbs.'s onion, minced

Combine bourbon and sugar in saucepan and heat and stir on medium heat, until sugar melts.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Add a little water, if needed. Use as a basting sauce and make extra for dipping.

 ^^^^^^^
Also on the menu: (click on title to view recipe)

Spicy Cajun Grilled Chicken

Creole Potato Salad

Cajun Seven Layer Dip

 Spicy Creole Jambalaya

 
 Cajun Grilled Corn on the Cob

Bayou Bourbon Beans

Cajun Style French Bread

Strawberry Shortcake Muffins

 Banana Pudding Squares

Frozen Pina Coladas

1 1/2 oz. light rum
2 oz. cream of coconut
4 oz. pineapple juice
1 cup fresh frozen pineapple chunks
1 cup crushed ice

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth and creamy! Serve in your favorite cocktail glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Enjoy and have a Happy Memorial Day, Ya'll!
Merci beaucoup for stopping by! 

Cajun Christmas Eve Party Menu

Cajun Christmas Eve Party Menu 

Tis' the season for holiday parties and I've been looking through my favorite recipes and finalizing my menu for our annual Christmas Eve Party. Here's what I have so far and I'm thinking of including maybe some boiled crawfish,  and maybe a few grilling recipes, too, since it's supposed to be 80 degrees on Christmas day, here in Cajun country. Life doesn't get any better than that, cher!  All guaranteed to please your family and guests! Bon Appetit!

(click on recipe title to view recipe)

 Appetizers
 
Crawfish Spinach Bread Bowl

 Cajun Party Meatballs  

 Spicy Crab Stuffed Jalapenos

 Smoky Blue Cheese Dip w/ Fresh Veggies








Main Course 

Cajun Roast Turkey Breast 

Cajun Baked Ham w/ Honey-Mustard Bourbon Glaze

Sides

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

Spinach Madeleine 

 Brandied Sweet Potatoes 

 Southern Corn Pudding





Breads 

Cranberry-Pecan Muffins 

 Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins 

Grandma's Buttermilk Biscuits







Desserts 

Marguerite's Christmas Cookies

Eggnog Bread Pudding w/ Cherry-Bourbon Sauce

Kahlua Fudge Cake w/ Kahlua Fudge Frosting

Creole Pecan Pie w/ Bourbon Whipped Cream
 



Wishing you all a happy, safe, and blessed holiday season. Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Happy Holidays, Ya'll! 

Cajun Thanksgiving Menu

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I am putting the finishing touches on my holiday menu. I asked my family and friends what dishes they wanted most this year and here is the menu that they requested.  And of course, there will be plenty of appetizers and desserts, too. (links below) Bon appetit!

Cajun Roast Turkey w/ Cornbread Oyster Stuffing

1 10 to 12 lb. turkey
2 stalks celery, quartered
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
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. each, dried thyme and sage

Combine all ingredients and mix well.

^^^^^^
(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

For more of my Cajun Thanksgiving sides, click here.

For my Cajun Thanksgiving desserts, click here.

For my Cajun holiday appetizers, click here.



Wishing all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving, filled with good food,  good times, and good cheer! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Cajun Pumpkin Faves + Festival Fun

It's that time of year again for all things pumpkin and with the cooler weather, I just can't seem to get enough of these heavenly pumpkin treats. Here is my latest creation along with a few more of my favorite pumpkin recipes that are all so totally decadent, cher, and will surely be a huge hit with your family and guests. Enjoy!

  Pumpkin-Pecan Cupcakes w/ Praline Glaze and Bourbon Whipped Cream

1 (1/2) cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp.'s baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. each, ground cinnamon and nutmeg
a sprinkling of ground cloves
1/2 cup buttermilk or milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup melted butter
1 large egg
1/2 cup chopped pecans

 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12 muffin cups or use paper liners. Mix all ingredients, except pecans, until just mixed.

Fold in pecans and stir gently. Fill muffin cups, 3/4 full, and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack and meanwhile, make the praline glaze.

Praline Glaze #2

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped pecans


 

In heavy saucepan, heat butter, brown sugar, and pecans, on medium heat, and bring to a boil. Lower heat and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and cool slightly and spread over cupcakes.

And for another little touch of decadence, top with my Bourbon Whipped Cream.

Bourbon Whipped Cream

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbs. bourbon


Mix the wet ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk in the confectioners sugar. Whip the mixture with an electric mixer until raised peaks form. (about 4 minutes)

^^^^^^^
  (click on title to view recipes)

Pumpkin Bread Pudding w/ Chocolate Bourbon Sauce

Pumpkin - Chocolate Chip Cake w/ Praline Glaze

Pumpkin-Praline Squares

Pumpkin Cheesecake

^^^^^^^
Festival Fun

We had an absolute bon temps last weekend at Festival Acadiens et Creole. Here's a little clip that I took of Roddie Romero and the Hub City All Stars rockin' the crowd on Saturday afternoon. Crank it up and let the good times roll, cher! Merci for stopping by!

Cajun New Year's Day Buffet

If Christmas is over, can New Year's and Mardi Gras be far behind? I just love to ring in the New Year with a New Year's Day buffet, filled with sinfully delicious Cajun favorites. And of course, a batch of my Cajun Bloody Mary's for those guests who stayed out too late on New Year's Eve. Here are a few of the delights that I'll be serving my family and friends on my New Year's Day buffet. All scrumptious, cher, and out of this world! Bon appetit and Happy New Year!!!

APPETIZERS

Creamy Crawfish Dip w/ Pastry Shells

 Easy Crab Stuffed Jalapenos

5 ounces cream cheese
3 ounces of grated sharp cheddar cheese
8 ounces lump crab meat
1 tsp. crushed garlic
1 green onion, chopped fine
juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt to taste
12 large jalapenos, seeded and cut in half

 
Blanche the jalapenos in a large pot of boiling water for about 30 seconds and plunge into ice water and drain.

 
Combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, crab meat,onions, salt, and lemon juice
in a medium sized bowl. Mix well.

 
Fill the jalapenos and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
Hot, spicy and delicious.

~~~~~~
Slow Cooker Creole Meatballs

 







Mini Crab Cakes w/Cajun Remoulade Sauce

~~~~~~
SIDES

Good Luck Black Eye Peas

Creole Shrimp Pasta Salad 

 Creole Smothered Cabbage

~~~~~~
 MAIN COURSE

Cajun Pork Roast w/Bourbon Honey Glaze 

 New Years Jambalaya

Cajun Fried Catfish Strips

~~~~~~
 BREADS 

 Cajun Crawfish Cornbread 

Nanny's Sweet Potato Biscuits 

~~~~~~

DESSERTS

 Pina Colada Bundt Cake 

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding 

 





  

 Amaretto Brownies 

~~~~~~

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year,  filled with love, and good times, and fun! Merci for passing by! Cheers, cher!

HAPPY 2015!!!