Cajun Holiday Cookout + Bayou Boogie

We're in the dog days of summer here in Cajun country and we've been trying to stay cool with some yummy cold drinks and lots of dips in the pool. And it's almost time for one of my favorite holidays so we'll be firing up the grill for our Fourth Of July cookout with some sinfully delicious grilled Cajun faves with all of the trimmings. Here's what I have so far and I'm sure that I'll be adding more before it's all over with. Bon Appetit!

Strawberry Lemonade

1 (1/2) cups sugar
4 cups water
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled, washed, and cut in half
1 cup lemon juice, 4 large lemons

Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in small saucepan and cook and stir on medium heat until dissolved. Set aside to cool.

Combine the remaining 3 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar, and the strawberries in blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a 2 quart pitcher and add cooled sugar mixture and lemon juice. Stir well and add crushed ice. Garnish with lemon slices and strawberries.

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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.

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Fourth Of July Cookout Menu

 Grilled Stuffed Jalapenos

12 large jalapenos, seeded and cut in half

1 lb. bacon, cut in thirds
4 ounces cream cheese
4 ounces of grated pepper jack cheese
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 cup onions, chopped fine
Salt to taste

 


Combine the cream cheese, shredded cheese, onions,  and salt in a medium sized bowl. Mix well. Fill the jalapenos and wrap each one with a bacon strip. Secure with toothpicks.  Grill on medium hot grill for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until bacon is crisp.

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(click on title to view recipe)

Spicy Cajun Crawfish Bread

Cajun Jalapeno Cheeseburgers

Spicy Drunken Shrimp Skewers

Cajun Grilled Chicken Wings

 Cajun Rice Dressing

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Creole Shrimp and Pasta Salad

Garlic Herb Bread

Nanny's Lemon Icebox Pie

Strawberry Shortcake Muffins

I'll be sharing these at ~

See Ya in the Gumbo @ Ms. Enplace

Party Time Link Up and Drink Up @ Seaside Simplicity 

Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage

Wishing ya'll a fun, happy, and safe holiday! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

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Bayou Boogie

Here's a little clip of one of my favorite bands. Andre Theirry and Zydeco Magic were really rockin' the crowd at this year's Gator by the Bay festival. Crank it up for this one, cher and let the good times roll!

Creole Shrimp and Pasta Salad + Holiday Pics

Here's one of my favorite summer delights, that is a delicious blend of succulent, Cajun boiled shrimp and creamy Creole sauce. Click here for my Spicy Cajun Boiled Shrimp recipe. When I tell you that it is divine, then you know that I mean it, cher! Oh, cest bon! And so easy and perfect for those hot summer days! Bon Appetit!

Creole Shrimp Pasta Salad

10 ounces Rotini pasta, cooked and drained, according to package directions.
1 1/2 lbs. small cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup each, onions, bell pepper, and celery, chopped fine
1 small can, sliced, pitted black olives

Combine cooked shrimp, veggies, and pasta in large bowl and set aside.
   
Creole Sauce

1 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup chili sauce
1 tbs. Creole or Dijon mustard
1 tsp. crushed garlic
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs. lemon juice
1 tbs. Creole or Cajun seasoning
Salt and Tabasco sauce to taste

Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix well. Add to pasta veggie mixture, and toss until well coated. Chill until ready to serve. Serve with a good loaf of French bread and a glass of wine. Bon Appetit!

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Holiday Pics

It was a another great weekend in Cajun country! Of course, the food was fabulous and the music was fantastic at the "Red, White and Boom" celebration at Parc International, in downtown Lafayette.

It was warm and humid, so we started off with a few cold drinks at the Smoothie Stand. I ordered the Pina Colada Daquiri and my friend tried the Electric Lemonade. Oh my gawd!

The crowd was in a spirited mood and was priming up for the Fourth of July show and fireworks. The Hunter Hayes Band were kickin' off this party and rockin, the crowd!

Next up was the Fourth of July ceremony, beginning with the United States Marine Corp. The crowd was then treated to the Acacdiana Symphony Orchestra, playing the National Anthem.

Here's a little clip that I took, right before my camera batteries went out. So much for getting some great pics of the fireworks. Cest la vie, cher! Hope ya'll had a wonderful holiday, too!

Merci beaucoup for stopping by, mon amis!