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

^^^^^^
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!

  ^^^^^^^^
(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

Cajun Mardi Gras Menu

It's that time of year again for that wonderful big party called Mardi Gras. Elaborate balls, fun parades, king cake parties, and decadent food are all the norm right now. I love everything about Mardi Gras, but especially the food, and I like to have friends and family over for a casual buffet to celebrate the Carnival season. Here are a few of my family's favorite Mardi Gras eats that I will be serving my guests.Happy Mardi Gras!

Nanny's Creole Crab Cakes 

1 lb. lump crab meat, picked over
3 tbs.'s mayo
1 tsp. Creole mustard
1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Few drops of Tabasco
2 tsp.'s Creole seasoning
1/2 sleeve of saltine crackers, crushed
2 green onions, sliced thin

1/2 cup bread crumbs
Butter for frying

Combine all ingredients, except crab meat, in large bowl. Fold in crab meat and toss gently, until blended. Shape into cakes, roll in breadcrumbs, and fry in butter, in a cast iron skillet, until browned. Makes 6 Divine!

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

Seafood Gumbo

Mardi Gras Jambalaya

Fried Catfish Bites

Crab and Shrimp Enchiladas

BBQ Shrimp a la Marguerite

Crawfish Spinach Bread Bowl

Creole Stuffed Mushrooms

Muffaletta Poboys

And for my Mardi Gras desserts, click here.

Click here for a schedule of Mardi Gras events in Lafayette and Acadiana.

And here for a schedule of Mardi Gras events in New Orleans.



Hope you all have a wonderful week! Merci beaucoup for passing by!

Holiday Party Time !

Tis the season for holiday parties and what better time of year to host a real memorable get together. Show your appreciation for family and friends by having them over for a festive holiday buffet. This menu is perfect for gift exchanges, office parties,  after caroling,  or just about anything you can think of. Enjoy !

Crawfish Spinach Bread Bowl w/ Mini Toasts * Cajun Party Meatballs * Mini Mufalettas * Deviled Egg Potato Salad * Creole Pasta Salad * Fruit and Veggie Trays *

 

Crawfish Spinach Bread Bowl

1 lb. peeled, cleaned crawfish tails
1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup

1/2  soup can water
1/2 cup butter
1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream
1 small can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tbs.'s fresh parsley
Salt to taste

1 large, round loaf of bread, (French, Italian, or sourdough)

Saute the onion in the butter until tender. Add the tomatoes w/ liquid and salt and cook for 10 minutes on medium heat. Add the crawfish and cook for 10 more minutes. Add the soups and  water, to desired consistency, and cook on low heat for 30 minutes. Add the spinach, sour cream, and parsley and cook for 10 minutes more. Cut top off of bread and scoop out middle. Place mixture into a large bread bowl and serve with mini toasts. Cest bon!