Spicy Cajun Stuffed Catfish + Bayou Boogie

Here's another spicy Cajun favorite that will send your taste buds into orbit . And so easy for those busy days when you need to whip up dinner in a flash. The subtle blending of the flavors of the crab, shrimp, and catfish, along with the spices, stuffing, and lemon, all add up to a sinfully delicious dish. This recipe may be increased as needed to serve more. Serve with a big tossed salad and garlic bread. Cest' bon, cher!

Spicy Cajun Stuffed Catfish

2 medium sized catfish fillets
1/2 lb. fresh lump crab meat
1/2 lb. fresh medium shrimp, peeled and diveined
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup each of the "holy trinity",

chopped fine
1 tsp.minced garlic
1 bunch green onions, chopped fine

2 tbs.'s Cajun seasoning, divided

Few shakes Tabasco
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Juice of 1 lemon

Slit a pocket in the catfish for stuffing. Season inside and out with 1 tbs. Cajun seasoning. Baste with 1/2 of the lemon juice.Melt butter in skillet, and add garlic, onions, bell pepper, and celery. Saute for about 5 minutes.

Add green onions. parsley, shrimp, crab meat, and Tabasco. Stir, and simmer for about 10 minutes and remove from heat. Fold in breadcrumbs and mix until just combined.

Fill catfish with stuffing and place in a greased baking pan lined with foil.. Dot catfish with butter and lemon slices,  and pour remaining lemon juice on top. Bake in a 350 degree oven, for 35 to 40 minutes. Baste occasionally. Serves 2  Note: This recipe also works well with flounder.

I'm sharing this at:
These Chicks Cooked

Full Plate Thursday

Fresh Food Friday 

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Bayou Boogie

I've had a request for some more Bayou Boogie. Here's a little clip of one of Cajun country's favorite dance bands, rockin' the crowd, with a whole lotta nitty-gritty dancin' going on.  Crank it up for this one, cher,  and let the good times roll!

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Wishing all of you a wonderful week, filled with good times! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Blow-Out on the Bayou + Crawfish Quesadillas !

It was another fun weekend in Cajun country, packed with great food, great music, and great times! We headed over to the Blue Moon Saloon, on Sunday, for a fundraiser event and benefit dance to help out a worthy cause. NuNu's Nitelife and Cafe', in Arnaudville, La., recently suffered extensive damage from a fire and this event was held to help them rebuild. Everything was donated and all proceeds went to the cause. The place was packed and the event was a huge success.

There were 6 local bands playing, including one of my favorites, Ryan Brunet and Les Malfecteurs. They were hotter than Tabasco and the crowd was doing some nitty- gritty dancing.

There was a lot of great Cajun food, for sale, and the smell was heavenly! These pork steaks, rice dressing, and red beans were fabulous and I had a little bit of each! Ca cest bon, cher!

There was a silent auction, with work donated from local artists, and there were T-shirts and cd's for sale. I loved this painting done on a piece of cypress, but someone else had already bought it.

 

Here's a little clip that I took, in between dances, of Ryan Brunet and Les Malfecteurs. The crowd loved this band and were really cutting the rug! The wooden dance floor was vibrating and the fans, (no air conditioning) were working overtime. Really sweated off a few pounds!

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We ran into some friends that told us about another fun event going on at Artmosphere, which is a restaurant, art gallery, and live music venue, and is just one block away from the Blue Moon. The Green Monkeys Foundation of Louisiana, was holding the first in a series of "Deep South Sundays", with Cajun dance lessons, a booray card game, and live music, all in an effort to preserve our Cajun culture. We couldn't resist checking it out!

Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band were just taking the stage, but I needed a little break.

These Cajun gals were having a blast!

I ordered a Lemon Basil Martini and sat back and listened to the music for a while. The aroma coming from the kitchen was wonderful and I asked to see a menu.

After all that dancing, I was starting to get hungry again. I decided to order one of my favorite items on the menu, the Crawfish Quesadillas. Cest bon! Divine, cher! For my recipe on how to make this succulent creation at home, click here.
Great with shrimp, too! Oh the life of a Cajun is so much fun!

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

Chicken-Spinach Pasta Bake + The Same Ol' 2 Step

Here's a wonderful, family favorite that will surely become one of yours. Tender chicken and spinach in a spicy, creamy, cheese sauce, blended with Penne pasta , will have you going back for more. It's a great way to use leftover chicken and freezes well, too. Also, excellent with crawfish. Serve with a big tossed salad and garlic bread, for a delectable week night meal. Le bon manger!

 

Chicken-Spinach Pasta Bake

8 0z. favorite cooked pasta (I used Penne)
2 tbs.'s olive oil, divided
1/2 cup each onions, bell peppers, and celery, chopped fine
1 10 0z. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
2 cups cooked, chicken breasts, cubed
1 can cream of chicken/mushroom soup
1 soup can milk
1 tsp. lemon pepper
1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 cup shredded cheese (I used triple cheddar)
Few shakes Tabasco

Prepare pasta, according to package directions. Rinse and drain, and place in large bowl. Drizzle with 1 tbs. olive oil, and sprinkle with lemon pepper. Mix well and set aside. In small saucepan, heat the soup and milk and bring just to a boil. Stir in Tabasco and remove from heat.

In medium skillet, saute the trinity, (onions, bell peppers, and celery), and parsley, in the other tbs. olive oil for 10 minutes and remove from heat. Combine the soup mixture, cooked chicken, Cajun seasoning, and trinity, with the pasta and mix well. Fold in the cheese. Turn into a large buttered casserole dish and bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Oh cest bon, cher!
Bon Apppetit!

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I'm expecting guests for the weekend, and after hearing me talk about Cafe Des Amis, in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, they want to go and check it out. It will be our first stop on Saturday morning, for an authentic Cajun breakfast, and some Zydeco dancing, to the spicy sounds of "The Same Ol' 2 Step". The music starts at 8:30 am and goes until 11:30 am! It's a bit early for me, but after a few Cajun bloody mary's, you get into the groove. Here's a little clip of this hotter than jalapenos, Zydeco band, rockin' the early morning crowd. Grab yourself a cold one and crank it up for this one!

Hope ya'll have a fabulous, fun weekend! Lassiez les bon temps rouler, cher!
Merci beaucoup for coming by!

Same Ol' 2 Step

Cajun Cake w/ Peanut Butter Icing + A Baby Shower + Zydeco Zip

Here is a decadent Cajun dessert that I was introduced to, recently, at a baby shower. It is sinfully delicious and will melt in your mouth, and is a perfect dessert for your Father's Day celebration! Worth the effort and the calories, cher! Cest bon! I will be posting some great Father's Day recipes very soon, so stay tuned!

 

 Cake

2 cups flour
1 tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. almond extract

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add half of the flour mixture, and half of the buttermilk. Stir in the almond extract and mix until blended. Add other half of of flour mixture and milk and beat until smooth and thick. Spread batter in two prepared 8 inch round cake pans. (I use Baker's Joy)

Filling

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 squares semisweet chocolate
1 tsp. almond extract
2 tsp.'s cornstarch, plus a little water to desired consistency

Combine water, sugar, almond extract, and chocolate, in double boiler. Stir in 2 tsp.'s cornstarch mixed with a little water. Cool until thick, and spread between layers of cake.

Icing
 

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 cups confectioners sugar
1/3 cup half and half

Beat butter and peanut butter in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in 2 cups of the sugar and 1/2 of the half and half. Beat in remaining sugar. Add a little more half and half, until smooth or desired consistency is reached. Frost cooled cake and serve.

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A Lovely Baby Shower

My daughter's, best friend is expecting a sweet baby girl in mid August, and we are all very excited! Friends and family recently gathered for a baby shower at The Filling Station Restaurant, in downtown Lafayette. It seems like just yesterday, that they were in high school! Thought I would share a few pics with ya'll.

This is her first baby and second shower, so that baby girl will not want for anything!

Quite a wonderful spread and everything was cest bon, cher!

I loaded up on the fruits and veggies, so I could go heavy on the desserts.

This Strawberry Shortcake was divine, as well as the Peanut Butter Cake!

And this heavenly punch was just perfect to wash everything down with!

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Zydeco Zip

And last but not least, I've had a request for some more Zydeco. Here is a clip that I took of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, rev-ing up the crowd at this year's Festival International, in April. Just goes to show you, that you're never too old to shake a leg! Enjoy and let the good times roll, cher!

Double-Header Zydeco Breakfast !

There's a great little cafe in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana that has the most wonderful Cajun breakfasts. I've been there many times and was there on a Saturday in August, when Joe Hall and the Canecutters were playing. Cafe' Des Amis is one of those quaint Cajun places where you can get a good breakfast and hear live music and dance, too. You'll find all of your favorite Cajun breakfast delights, such as couche-couche, grilled boudin patties, pain perdu, or beignets and of course, lots of strong Louisiana coffee. Or try Eggs Arnaud, eggs your way with grilled boudin patties, or homemade bisquits topped with crawfish etoufee. And maybe a Cajun Bloody Mary or an Abita beer or two.

After this fabulous breakfast, you are asked to move your chairs aside to make room for the dancers that didn't quite get enough dancing in on Friday night. Every Saturday morning from 8:30 to 11:30 am, the popular restaurant hosts a Zydeco band, that is guaranteed to get your Cajun or non Cajun blood pumping, for sure! Very aerobic and so much fun! Perfect for working off that rich, decadent breakfast. Believe me when I tell you that it is a blast! True to Cajun tradition, the cafe' caters to locals and visitors alike. Conveniently located off I-10 East, at 140 E. Bridge Street, in Breaux Bridge. For a complete schedule and menu, click here. Hope ya'll pass a good time. Let the good times roll, cher!

Chocolate-Praline Cheesecake + Zydeco Zip

Here's one of my all time favorite cheesecake recipes. Totally decadent and divinely delicious is perhaps the only way to describe it! I had a few friends over for dinner last night and prepared this heavenly treat for dessert. The only problem with having a dessert like this around is the danger of eating a bit too much of it. I had to control myself, but I limited myself to just one piece. And as for leftovers, there were none, after my son and his friends came in and finished it off! Oh, cest bon!

Chocolate-Praline Cheesecake

Crust

3 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 stick butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl and mix well. Press into a buttered pie pan , going half way up the sides. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for ten minutes and set aside to cool.

Chocolate Sauce

8 (1oz.) squares semisweet chocolate
1 tbs. butter
6 tbs.'s whipping cream

Combine all ingredients in saucepan and stir and cook over low heat, until melted and smooth. Pour half of the chocolate sauce over the graham cracker crust and spread evenly. Reserve other half for drizzling.

Filling

3 (8oz.) pkg.'s plain cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 eggs

In large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well, after each addition. Pour on top of chocolate sauce layer and bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes, until slightly set. Cool and refrigerate for 2 hours, preferably overnight.

Praline Sauce

1 cup chopped pecans, divided
1 cup light brown sugar
1 small can Pet milk
2 tbs.'s butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine 1/2 cup pecans, with all of the ingredients, in saucepan. Cook and stir on low heat until blended and smooth. Drizzle warm praline sauce and warmed, reserved chocolate sauce all over cheesecake when ready to serve. Garnish with chopped pecans. Bon Appetit!! Enjoy!

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Zydeco Zip

One of my bloggie friends, who is one of the best dancers I know, wants to hear a little Zydeco. Here is a clip of one of my favorite Zydeco bands, Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie, playing at this year's Cajun Hot Sauce Festival. Let the Good Times Roll! This one's for you, Joe!

More Cajun Fun on the Swamp + French Rockin' Boogie

After a fabulous lunch of Crawfish Etoufee and Fried Catfish, ordered to go, from one of our favorite restaurants, we headed over to the levee in Henderson for a little fun in the sun. It wasn't quite as hot today and there were clouds, here and there, so it turned out to be a good day for water sports. We boarded the boat at McGee's landing and headed out for a beautiful boat ride. There was a nice breeze on the water that saved us. We ran into friends on boats and jet skis and others who were water skiing. Then, we all refreshed at McGee's Restaurant with iced cold drinks, until it was time to go to the dance at Whiskey River.

 When we arrived, the place was packed to capacity, and overflowing with hot, dancing, nitty- gritty Zydeco fans. Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie were rocking the house. The dance floor was so crowded that when I ventured onto it to get the video clip, I got stuck in the middle of the dance floor and couldn't get out of the crowd until the song was over! I was nearly knocked down by the  dancers, but I well understand that there's no parking on the dance floor at Angelle's Whiskey River Dance Hall. "If you can't keep up with the big dogs, here, stay off the dance floor" !! The wood floor beneath was vibrating so hard that I thought it would cave in or that surely the roof might blow off!! 


 
 Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie

Cajun Hot Sauce Festival

 After several days of rain, we were getting "cabin fever" and decided to venture out to find some fun. The Cajun Hot Sauce Festival was still going on in New Iberia, La., so we took a ride to check it out. It was in full swing when we arrived and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys were rockin' the crowd! We really had a blast and the food was to die for cher! Cest bon!

The annual Hot Sauce Festival celebrates all hot sauce, but is partial to Tabasco Sauce, which is made not far from the festival fairgrounds, on the McIlhenny Pepper Plantation. There were booths selling  crawfish poboys, spinach and crawfish bread bowls, and seafood jambalaya.

The crawfish poboys were fabulous and one of the best that I have ever had! And of course, there were booths displaying and selling all kinds of hot sauce, from gourmet Habanero to authenic Cajun. A very pleasant and fun outing on a beautiful spring day in Cajun Country.

Let the good times roll! Festival International "coming right up" in just 2 days! See ya'll there!