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!

Ragin' Cajuns Tailgate Heaven + More Dancin'

We had an absolute blast on Saturday at the Ragin Cajuns, homecoming tailgating party! As far as the eye could see, there were Cajun delicacies, cooking, grilling, and simmering. It was pure tailgate heaven and the Cajun spirit was greatly evident at every tent!  Oh, cest bon, cher! So many divinely delicious concoctions that it boggled the mind! Here were a few of my faves.

These two guys at the Iberia Bank tent really had it going on, with these succulent ribs. And the smothered potatoes with tasso and sausage were out of this world! Poo-yie, cher!

Big pots of Cajun delights were everywhere, but this one with chicken and sausage jambalaya was my favorite! This guy really knew what he was doing and had it seasoned just right. Cest bon, cher!

And this pot of red beans and sausage got my vote, too! Lots of flavor in this pot too!

The guys at this tent were having a cochan de lait ( a Cajun pig roast) and roasted a whole pig!  Here is the chef, preparing the pork for serving. It was out of this world and the Cajun rice dressing and baked beans were fabulous!

This was one scrumptious plate! Le bon mange, cher!

 This one was grilling some chicken wings and pork steaks!  Lawd have mercy, they were good!

 

And what would a Cajun tailgating party be without a little music and dancing! The great "Louisiana Red" band was entertaining the crowd with their super rock n' roll show..

Louisiana Red

I ate a sample at each booth so I was thoroughly stuffed by the time I got to the dance area, but trust me, I walked, danced, and sweated off every calorie and was starving by the time the game was over!! Oh the life of a Cajun is so much fun!

Hope ya'll are having a fantastic week! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Grilled Stuffed Jalapenos + Cajun Tailgating Fun

We had an absolute bon' ton' at the Ragin' Cajuns tailgating party on Saturday! The stage was set at Cajun Field for an afternoon of pure indulgence in the best tailgating food than you could ever imagine. As far as the eye could see, there were Cajun men everywhere, grilling and frying up their best stuff and cooking succulent side dishes, jambalaya, and gumbo, too. It was a bit warm and humid, and by the time I made my way around the huge tailgating area, I was working up quite a sweat! And getting full too, as I was offered a taste and a beer at each grill, but had to stop eating and switch to water, half way through!  It was a blast! Here were a few of my favorites.

This guy was grilling some Andouille sausage and boudin. Cest bon, cher!

This one was frying some chicken wings and they were finger lickin' good!

This one was grilling some huge steaks and the smell was making my mouth water. To die for, cher!

These two guys were cooking a chicken and sausage gumbo and some smothered potatoes. Both were out of this world!

These two were grilling up a big batch of wings with this pork jambalaya on the side. Divine!

And last, but not least,  were these sinfully delicious grilled, stuffed jalapenos and some fresh pork sausage!

These two guys were kind enough to share the recipe with me. So quick and easy, too.

Warning: These are addictive! Fabulous!

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.

Hot, spicy, and so delicious! Bon Appetit!

Wishing ya'll a wonderful week, filled with good times! Merci beaucoup for coming by!