Cajun Sausage Cornbread + Jalapeno Hash Brown Casserole

Here are a few of my favorite Easter brunch sides that I will be making for friends and family, this year. These great breakfast/ brunch casseroles are just fabulous and are wonderful for anytime of year. The first one, is a meal in itself and you will not be able to stop eating it! Cest bon, cher! Enjoy!

Cajun Sausage Cornbread

2 links Andouille sausage, diced 
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup onions, chopped
2 tsp.'s minced garlic 
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups yellow cornmeal
1 Tbs. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tbs.'s Cajun seasoning, divided
1 can cream-style corn

Brown sausage, onions, and garlic in heavy skillet, until brown. Drain and sprinkle with half of the Cajun seasoning, mix well and set aside. In a large bowl, beat the buttermilk, eggs, and oil. Stir in the remaining ingredients and stir until blended. Then fold in the sausage/ veggie mixture. Mix well and pour into a buttered, 3 quart baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Oh, the flavors are so sinfully good, cher!
Bon Appetit!

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Jalapeno-Hash Brown Casserole

1 (32 ounce) package of frozen, Southern-style hash brown potatoes, thawed
2 cups shredded, pepper jack or cheddar cheese
1/2 cup green onions and tops, sliced thin
1/2 cup or more pickled jalapeno slices
1/2 stick butter, melted
1 (8 oz.) container light sour cream
1 can cream of cream of mushroom w/ roasted garlic, soup, undiluted
1/4 cup milk
1 tbs. Creole seasoning
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tbsp. paprika
Few shakes Tabasco
Salt to taste

Combine all ingredients, except paprika, in large bowl and mix well. Add milk to desired consistency and pour into a 13x9 baking dish, coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with paprika and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until bubbly and brown. So rich and delish, cher. Le Bon Manger!


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If anyone tries one of these recipes, please let me know how it turned out. I just love it when someone cooks one of my recipes and lets me know that they enjoyed it. Next, I will be sharing some great Easter appetizers and desserts with ya'll. Stay tuned!

A Cajun "Happy" Hour + Cajun Jalapeno Martinis

You all know the scenario? It's 5 o'clock and time to get off work. Happy time and time for happy hour! With over 100 places offering this tradition in Lafayette, it's sometimes hard to pick just one. But since today was an especially stressful work day and La Fonda's has such great drinks.... and you always run into old friends, there. La Fonda's it was!


We headed over there for few Mexican delights. La Fonda, has been a tradition in Lafayette, since the fifties and multiple generations have enjoyed it's special flavors. My high school boyfriend and I used to eat here on Saturday nights in the 70's. What memories! Back then, it was the only good Mexican restaurant in town, but after all these years it is still so popular.


One of the best parts of LaFonda is the cozy bar with caricatures of the patrons painted on the walls. And the bartenders are second to none. Their drinks and award winning Margaritas are fabulous and the drink specials are lagniappe'. The after work party continued with a round of cold Coronas and a few mixed drinks, while we went over the menu. I opted for a grilled shrimp over rice entree, served with mixed grilled veggies. It was out of this world!! Oh, the life of a Cajun is oh, so fun!! Did you have a "happy" hour today and what was yours like?


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Cajun Jalapeno Martinis
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1 1/4 oz. vodka
1 dash of vermouth
1 pickled jalapeno pepper
1 splash of jalapeno juice
Combine vodka, vermouth, and jalapeno juice in mixing glass w/cracked ice and stir well. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with jalapeno pepper. Hot and spicy! Cheers!