Cajun New Year's Faves

What better way to start off the New Year than with a New Year's brunch with family and friends. Here is my brunch buffet menu for 2017 and it is chocked full of delectable Cajun favorites.  I am also following the Cajun tradition of eating black eye peas for good luck and cabbage for good health, throughout the New Year.  And if it's New Years, cher, can Mardi Gras be far behind!


Bon appetit and Happy New Year!

(click on links to view recipes)

Crawfish Dip w/ Pastry Shells  * Spicy Cajun Buffalo Wings   *  Shrimp Remoulade 

 Cajun Baked Ham w/ Sugarcane-Bourbon Glaze   

 

Cajun Potato Salad  *  Creole Smothered Cabbage  * New Year's Jambalaya

  Cajun Breakfast Casserole * Jalapeno Hashbrown Casserole 

  Mama's Cornmeal Biscuits  *  Cajun Sausage Cornbread

 Chocolate Bread Pudding w/ Praline Sauce * Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake 

 

  Cajun Bloody Mary's

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And if you're wondering what to do with that ham bone in the freezer from Christmas dinner, here's a way to use it for your New Year's celebration.  Here's an easy, delicious recipe for slow cooker black-eyed peas that will have you adding this fabulous dish to your table at any time of year!

Slow Cooker "Good Luck" Black-Eyed Peas

1 pound dried black-eyed peas

1 tbs. vegetable oil

1 large red onion, chopped

1/2 cup each, red and green bell peppers, and celery

2 tsp.'s minced garlic

1 can diced Ro-tel tomatoes w/ green chilies, drained

1 quart water, (more, if needed)
1 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tbs. Cajun seasoning

Few good shakes Tabasco

1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. yellow mustard

1 cup ham, chopped

1 ham bone, (with some meat left on)

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 cup green onions, tops included, sliced

Saute the onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic, in the vegetable oil, until soft. (about 10 minutes) Combine all ingredients in slow cooker, except the parsley and green onions, and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low, for 7 to 8 hours. Remove ham bone and add the parsley and green onions in the last 30 minutes, stir well, and maybe add a little more hot sauce.

 Happy 2017 Ya'll! Merci beaucoup for passing by!

Black Eyed Pea Salad + Happy New Year

Here is a family fave that I love to serve on New Years Day and on many other occasions throughout the year. In keeping with the Cajun tradition of eating black eyed peas for good luck and cabbage for prosperity in the the new year, these are  "must haves" on the Cajun table and guaranteed to please your guests. Bon appetit!

Black -Eyed Pea Salad

1 Creole tomato, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup each, red and green bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup of green onions, sliced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cans (16 ounce) black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 stalk celery, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
3 slices bacon, fried crisp and crumbled, (optional)
Creole Vinaigrette, (recipe below)

Chop veggies and mix with peas in large bowl. Season with Cajun seasoning and prepare the vinaigrette and add to the veggie-pea mixture. Cover and marinate in fridge for 6 hours or more, stirring occasionally. Drain excess vinaigrette, top with bacon bits, and serve on cabbage leaves. Divine!  (photo courtesy of Google Images)

Creole Vinaigrette

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1 tbs. Creole mustard

1 tsp. Tabasco sauce

1 tsp. crushed garlic

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup olive oil

Combine first five ingredients in bowl and whisk until well blended. Add oil and continue whisking until combined. 

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I am also making a big crock pot full of these, with the left over ham bone from Christmas. 
Click here for the recipe.

And another "must have" is  my Creole Smothered Cabbage. For the recipe, click here.

I'll be sharing these at ~

Savory Sunday @ The Sweet Details

Wishing all of you a healthy, prosperous, and happy 2012, filled with many blessings! Merci beaucoup for stopping by and for your lovely comments! Happy New Year! Cheers, cher!