Cajun Delights: Cajun Holiday Appetizers

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Here are a few of my favorite recipes that are perfect for your New Year's celebration! I will be hosting a casual New Year's Day buffet for my family and friends and it will be quite a spread, packed with delectable Cajun and Creole delights. Here is what I have so far and who knows what else I'll be adding. Bon appetit and Happy New Year, cher!

Cajun Baked Ham w/ Pineapple Rum Glaze

Cajun Crawfish Dip

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Cajun Holiday Appetizers

Tis the season for holiday parties in Cajun country and here are a few of my all time favorite, party appetizers. Every year, I love to have a casual appetizer buffet for friends and family for our annual Christmas gift exchange. A dear friend of mine gave me this fabulous shrimp recipe and I just had to share it with ya'll. It's out of this world and is perfect for your holiday party or buffet. The sauce is so good that I could drink it! Enjoy!

Margarita Shrimp Cocktail

4 cups water
2 tbs.'s salt
1 cup white wine
2 tbs.'s fresh lime juice
3 or 4 tbs.'s Cajun seasoning
3 bay leaves
2 lb.'s medium shrimp, unpeeled with heads removed

Place the first 6 ingredients in a large stock pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Add shrimp and boil for 5 more minutes. Cut heat off, cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Remove shrimp and allow to cool.

Peel shrimp, leaving tails on, and place in a large bowl. Meanwhile make sauce.

Sauce
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tbs.'s tequilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Few shakes Tabasco

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. Add cooked shrimp and stir to coat.

Dip rims of Margarita glasses in salt. Place 6 shrimp in each glass and spoon a little extra sauce over shrimp and garnish with lemon and lime slices Fab!
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Creole Crock Pot Meatballs

1/2 lb. ground pork
1 (1/2 lbs.) ground beef
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1 egg, beaten
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tsp.'s garlic, minced

1 or 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
2 tbs.'s fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 or 2 tbs.'s Creole seasoning
Salt and Tabasco to taste

In medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, and Worcestershire sauce. In large separate bowl, combine meat with all remaining ingredients. Combine the egg mixture with the meat and mix gently, but well.

Shape mixture into 2 inch balls. Arrange meatballs in baking pan and bake @ 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway. Drain and place in crock pot on warm. Meanwhile make sauce.
Sauce
1 bottle chili sauce
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tbs. Creole mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pepper jelly
(or your favorite jelly)
Few shakes Tabasco
1/2 cup beer
2 tbs.'s Liquid Smoke

Combine all ingredients in saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Pour over meatballs and coat well. Serve in crock pot to keep warm. Sinfully good!

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Spicy Creole Deviled Eggs

8 hard boiled eggs
1/4 cup Miracle Whip Salad Dressing or mayo
2 green onions, including tops, chopped
1 tbs. chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, chopped fine
Salt to taste
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, onions, chilies 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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And here are a few more. Click on title to view recipe.

Mini Creole Crab Cakes