Cajun Breakfast Faves + Bayou Boogie

Here are a few of my favorite breakfast recipes that I am planning on preparing for out of town guests during the holidays. Yes, Christmas is really less than one month away, but these scrumptious breakfast treats are fab anytime. All divine and guaranteed to please your family and guests, cher.
Bon appetit!

Cajun Bloody Marys

Vodka to taste 

64 oz. tomato juice
1 tbs. Tony's Creole seasoning
1 tbs. horseradish
1 tsp. A-1 steak sauce
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs. Tabasco
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Mix all ingredients and shake well in a clean gallon jug and serve in a pitcher with your favorite garnishes .

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Cajun Brunch Casserole 

6 croissants, torn into 1 inch pieces

8  strips bacon, fried crisp and crumbled, divided

1 cup cooked ham, cubed

8  large eggs

2 cups milk

3 tbs.'s butter

1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, (any color), chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 or 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped

1 tbs. Cajun seasoning

1 tsp. dried thyme
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

In large skillet, saute the onion, bell peppers, and garlic, in the butter, for 5 minutes and set aside. Meanwhile, tear croissants into bite sized pieces in large bowl.

In large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, Cajun seasoning, and thyme. Add 1 cup of the  cheese and mix well.  Pour over bread pieces, add the veggie mixture, ham, and half of the bacon, and mix well.

Transfer to a buttered 13 x 9 inch baking dish and bake in a preheated 350 degrees, uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with more cheese and remaining bacon and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes.

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Jalapeno Cheese Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbs.'s sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tbs. baking powder
1/2 cup (1 stick cold unsalted butter)
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (1/4) cups heavy whipping cream

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Sift the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Cut the butter in 1/2-inch pieces. Using your fingertips, rub the butter and flour mixture together until it resembles a coarse meal; add the jalapenos and cheese. Add the cream and mix with your hands. When barely combined, turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead just enough to bring the dough together. Roll out to a 1-inch thickness. Cut with a floured 1 1/2- to 2-inch cutter. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven, in the center of the oven,  for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.

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And my absolute fave! Yum! Click on title to view recipe.

Praline French Toast

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I'll be sharing these @

Hodgepodge Friday @ It's a Hodgepodge Life
Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sister's Stuff 
See Ya in the Gumbo @ Ms EnPlace

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Bayou Boogie

Here's another little clip that I took at Festival Acadiens in October of one of my favorite bands. Wayne Toups and Zydecajun were really rockin' the crowd and there was a whole lot of nitty gritty dancin' going on. Crank it up for this one and let the good times roll, cher!

 Hope you are all having a fun and fabulous week! Merci beaucoup for coming by!

Last Minute Cajun Christmas Treats

Here is one of my favorite holiday stress relievers that is oh so yummy and decadent. Perfect as an after dinner drink or anytime you want a sinfully delicious treat! Guaranteed to please your guests, cher. Cheers and happy holidays!

 Peppermint Martini

 First prepare the glass.

Dip rim of martini glass in white crème de cacao and swirl several times in a plate of crushed candy canes.

 2 oz. vodka
1 oz. white creme de cacao

1 oz. peppermint schnapps
1/2 cup crushed ice

Candy canes

Combine vodka, creme de cacao,  and schnapps over ice in shaker. Shake well and strain into prepared martini glass. Garnish with a candy cane.

For more fabulous Cajun Christmas drinks, click here.

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And here is a wonderful Cajun breakfast treat that I love to serve on Christmas morning. It is assembled the night before and popped into the oven in the morning. Out of this world!

Praline French Toast 

6 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup half and half

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 cup butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

2 tablespoons Karo light corn syrup

1 loaf French bread, sliced

Slice bread into 1 inch thick slices and arrange in a greased 13x9 inch baking dish. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, half and half, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour half of the egg mixture evenly over bread  slices, soaking well. Repeat with second layer.

For praline topping, mix together butter, light brown sugar, chopped pecans and light corn syrup. Spread on top of each slice of bread on top layer. Cover with foil and place dish in refrigerator overnight. The next morning, remove foil and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Bon appetit!

Wishing you all a blessed and very Merry Christmas! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

JOYEAUX NOEL!

Cajun Mother's Day Treats + Bayou Boogie

It's time for Mother's Day, one of my favorite days of the year! It's the only day of the year that I am guaranteed to get  breakfast in bed, and one of the only two days of the year that I refuse to cook. (the other is my birthday) This heavenly Mother's Day Mimosa is so delicious and will pair well with the scrumptious Praline French Toast and decadent Amaretto Fudge Brownies. (recipes below) Go ahead and indulge, you deserve it, cher! Enjoy and have a very happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Mimosas

3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice

1 ounce triple sec

4 ounces dry champagne

Combine in a champagne flute and garnish with an orange wedge or strawberries. Cheers!

Praline French Toast

6 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup half and half

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 cup butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

2 tablespoons Karo light corn syrup

1 loaf French bread, sliced

Slice bread into 1 inch thick slices and arrange in a greased 13x9 inch baking dish. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, half and half, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour half of the egg mixture  evenly over bread  slices, soaking well. Repeat with second layer.

For praline topping, mix together butter, light brown sugar, chopped pecans and light corn syrup. Spread on top of each slice of bread on top layer. Cover with foil and place dish in refrigerator overnight. The next morning, remove foil and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Bon appetit!

And what fun would any holiday be without a double batch of my favorite brownies! Sinfully delicious and worth every calorie, cher!

Amaretto Fudge Brownies

2/3 cup butter
3 1 oz. squares unsweetened chocolate, cut into pieces
3 eggs
1 2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup Amaretto liqueur
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional

Combine butter and chocolate in a microwavable safe bowl. Microwave on low until melted, stirring frequently. In large bowl, combine eggs and sugar and mix well. Stir in the chocolate mixture. Stir in the Amaretto . In small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and mix well and add to the chocolate/Amaretto mixture. Fold in the pecans. Blend well and pour into a greased 9x11 inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool and cut into squares. Out of this world!

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Bayou Boogie
 

And here's another little clip that I took at Festival International of one of my favorite bands. The Lost Bayou Ramblers were really rev-ing it up for the crowd. Crank it up and have another Mimosa and let the good times roll, cher!

The Lost Bayou Ramblers

Hope you all have a fabulous day, filled with many special moments! Happy Mother's Day!