Cajun Easter Favorites

The Spring weather has been absolutely gorgeous in Cajun country and perfect for grilling and boiling seafood on the patio. And with Easter almost here, I've been going through my recipes and trying to decide on which ones to prepare for my Easter Sunday Buffet. This is what I have so far and I'll be adding more as I go along. We will also be boiling some scrumptious Louisiana crawfish and shrimp and sipping a Cajun Bloody Mary or two. All out of this world,  and totally worth the calories, cher! Cheers and Bon Appetit!

Cajun Bloody Mary's

Jalapeno Andouille-Bacon Bites

 Cajun Crawfish Dip

 Cajun Baked Ham w/ Honey-Mustard Bourbon Glaze

 

Cajun Potato Salad

Spicy Cajun Boiled Shrimp Salad w/ Remoulade Sauce

Cajun Crawfish Casserole

Cajun Boiled Crab Salad

6 hard boiled eggs, quartered
1 carton grape tomatoes
1 avocado, peeled and sliced
1 red onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 large head of romaine lettuce, washed and torn
1 lb. lump crab meat, peeled from boiled crabs

Place lettuce in the bottom of a large salad bowl. Layer with crab meat, onion, bell pepper, avocado, and tomatoes. Top with eggs, and my Jalapeno Ranch Dressing. (recipe below)

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Jalapeno Ranch Dressing.

1 (1/4) cups, no-fat buttermilk 

3/4 cup light mayo

1 tsp. Creole mustard

2 tsp.'s white vinegar

2 tbs.'s  lime or lemon juice 

1 tsp. crushed garlic

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

1 tbs. fresh parsley, minced

1 tsp. Cajun seasoning

Salt to taste

Whisk ingredients together in the order given, in a mixing bowl. Store in a sealed glass container in refrigerator, for up to one week. Shake well before each use.

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Cajun Crab and Corn Casserole 

 Parmesan Spinach Bread

Banana Pudding Cake w/ Praline Icing

1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1 pkg. instant banana pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. almond extract
1 cup mashed bananas
2 tbs.'s rum, (optional)

In large bowl, stir together cake mix and pudding mix. Add eggs, oil,  water, and mashed bananas,  and beat with electric mixer on low for 30 seconds. 

Add almond extract and beat on medium speed for 2 more minutes. Pour into prepared muffin pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool cake before icing with Praline Icing. (recipe below)

Praline Icing

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Melt butter in small saucepan. Add milk and sugar and stir and cook until well combined. Bring to a boil and lower heat and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Heavenly!

Coconut Dream Cupcakes

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Wishing you all a blessed and Happy Easter!
Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Cajun Father's Day Menu

It's that time of year again to honor our fathers and show them how much we appreciate them. I am planning to prepare a Father's Day spread that consists mostly of my Dad's all time faves, plus a few of his new ones. He has requested that this year's Father's Day menu be an all seafood menu and being a seafood lover, myself, I am more than happy to oblige. And here is a recipe for one of his favorite desserts that I will be making. Sinfully good and worth the calories, cher! Enjoy!

Banana Split Pie

Crust
2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar

Filling 

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups confectioner's sugar

1 tbs. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 large bananas, sliced

2 cans crushed pineapple, drained

2 quarts fresh strawberries, trimmed and sliced

Topping

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup confectioner's sugar

Garnish

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Chocolate syrup, if desired

Maraschino cherries

Combine the crumbs, butter, and sugar and press into an ungreased 13x9 inch baking dish. Chill for 1 hour.

In a large bowl, cream butter, confectioner's sugar, milk, and vanilla. Spread over crust and chill for 30 minutes. Layer with bananas, pineapple, and. strawberries.

In medium bowl beat whipping cream until soft peaks form. Add confectioner's sugar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Spread over fruit layer. Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate syrup, and maraschino cherries. Chill until ready to serve. Serves 12 Fab! 

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Father's Day Menu

(click on title to view recipe)

~ Appetizers ~

 Cajun Shrimp Dip w/ Mini Croissants

Cajun Crawfish Stuffed French Bread

~ Entrees ~

Spicy Cajun Boiled Crabs w/ Tangy Hot Seafood Sauce

 Crawfish, Crab, and Shrimp Etouffee

Creole Mini Crab Cakes w/ Spicy Remoulade Sauce

Spicy Fried Catfish Strips w/ Jalapeno Hush Puppies

~ Sides ~

Creole Boiled Crab Salad

6 hard boiled eggs, quartered
1 carton grape tomatoes
1 avocado, peeled and sliced
1 red onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 large head of romaine lettuce, washed and torn
1 lb. lump crab meat, peeled from boiled crabs

Place lettuce in the bottom of a large salad bowl. Layer with crab meat, onion, bell pepper, avocado, and tomatoes. Top with eggs.

Serve with my Jalapeno Ranch Dressing.

Jalapeno Ranch Dressing

1 (1/4) cups, no-fat buttermilk 

3/4 cup light mayo

1 tsp. Creole mustard

2 tsp.'s white vinegar

2 tbs.'s  lime or lemon juice 

1 tsp. crushed garlic

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

1 tbs. fresh parsley, minced

1 tsp. Cajun seasoning

Salt to taste

Whisk ingredients together in the order given, in a mixing bowl. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator, for up to one week. Shake well before each use.

Fried Green Tomatoes w/ Shrimp Remoulade

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 And it wouldn't be Father's Day without preparing my Dad's favorite cake.

Chocolate Praline Bundt Cake

 I am sharing these at ~

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sister's Stuff

Summer Salad Sundays @Easy Natural Food

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Wishing all of you a fun and fabulous weekend and all of you wonderful Dads,  a very Happy Father's Day! Merci beaucoup for coming by!

Cajun Mother's Day Brunch

It's almost time for one of my favorite holidays and for someone else to do the cooking. My dear son is planning a Mother's Day Brunch for me and family members and friends and this is what he has so far. He's including my faves and a few surprises, too and I can't wait to see what he might come up with. And add on top of all of this, he'll be boiling some Spicy Cajun Boiled Shrimp and Crawfish. Cest bon, cher!

 Bon appetit!

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 fresh strawberries.  Heavenly!

Cheers, cher!

And a big batch of these cool, frozen Pina Coladas.

Cajun Crawfish Bread

Cajun Crab Dip (my fave)

Cajun Eggs Benedict Casserole

2 to 3 links Andouille sausage, or 12 ounces Canadian bacon, diced 

1 16. oz loaf French bread

8 large eggs

2 cups milk

1 tsp. or more Cajun seasoning

Salt and black pepper to taste

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 cup green onions, chopped
 

         
Tear bread into bite sized pieces and place in a buttered 9x13 inch casserole dish. Brown sausage  in skillet and drain excess oil. Place half of the sausage on top of the bread pieces. Whisk eggs, milk, and seasonings in bowl and pour over sausage layer. Top with remaining sausage, parsley, and green onions.

Cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for 15 more minutes or until set. Let rest for 10 minutes and top with Spicy Hollandaise Sauce. (recipe below)

Spicy Hollandaise Sauce

3 large egg yolks
1 tbs. cold water
1 stick of butter cut into pieces
1 tbs. Creole or Dijon mustard
Few shakes of Tabasco
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Set a heatproof bowl over a small pot of simmering water. Whisk egg yolks with water until thickened. (about 5 minutes). Whisk in butter gradually until melted. Season with Cajun seasoning and keep warm until ready to serve. Stir in lemon juice, Tabasco, and Creole mustard.

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 Fresh Fruit Platter w/ Pina Colada Dip

Fresh Veggie Platter w/ Smoky Blue Cheese Dip

1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
4 strips smoked bacon, cooked, drained, and crumbled
1/2 cup light mayo
4 tbs.'s low fat buttermilk
4 tbs.'s light sour cream
1/4 cup green onions, chopped fine
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. black pepper
Salt and Tabasco to taste

Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl and whisk until well blended. Chill for 1 hour and serve with fresh veggies or crackers.

Creole Boiled Crab Salad

Creole Mini Crab Cakes

Margarita Cake (my favorite)

Chocolate-Praline Cheesecake

Wishing all of you a very Happy Mother's Day ! Relax and enjoy your special day and have a fun and fabulous weekend! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Cajun Fourth of July Favorites

Almost time for one of my favorite holidays and I've been tweaking my menu and planning our annual Fourth of July cookout. It's supposed to be hot and humid, so this will definitely be a poolside bash. And this is what I have on the menu, so far, and who knows what else I'll be adding! Plus, we'll be boiling some fabulous Spicy Cajun Boiled Crabs, since crab season is in full swing here in Cajun country. And when I tell you that it's all out of this world, then you know that I mean it, cher!  Bon appetit!

Cajun Jalapeno Cheeseburgers

2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 tbs. Tabasco sauce

1 tbs. liquid smoke
2 tbs.'s minced garlic
1 tbs. prepared horseradish
1 bunch green onions, including tops, chopped 
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp.'s salt
2 jalapenos, sliced
8 slices cheddar cheese

Melted butter
Hamburger buns

Place beef in large bowl and add all other burger ingredients, except jalapenos and cheese. Mix gently and form into 8 (1/4 lb.each) patties. Place one pattie on a plate and layer with jalapenos and cheese slice.  Top with another pattie and seal edges together. Grill directly on a medium hot grill for about 10 to 15 minutes on each side. Brush buns with melted butter and grill on indirect heat until toasted, while burgers are cooking. Garnish with your favorite hamburger fixins. FAB! Makes 4 (1/2) pound burgers.

(click on title to view recipes)  

Spicy Cajun Crab Dip

Bayou Buffalo Wings

 Spicy Cajun Dogs

Spicy Boiled Shrimp Salad

Cajun Crawfish Casserole

Deviled Egg Potato Salad

Bayou Bourbon Beans

Cajun Margarita Cake

 Bourbon-Praline Brownies

 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.

Frozen Pina Coladas (my favorite)

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.

Wishing ya'll a very happy and safe 4th of July weekend!!! Merci beaucoup for passing by, cher!

Cajun Grilled Rib Eyes + Father's Day Faves

With Father's Day just a few days away, I've been putting the finishing touches on the special menu that I'll be preparing for my Dad. I love to make his favorite dishes all year long, but especially on Father's Day. I've been so blessed to have such a kind and loving father and it makes me so happy to spoil him on his special day. He has a bit of a sweet tooth, so I will be making some of his favorite desserts, too. This is what I have so far and I'm sure I'll be adding a few more.

Father's Day Menu

Crab Stuffed Jalapenos ~Jalapeno Cheese Bread

Grilled Cajun Rib Eyes ~ Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Shrimp ~ Loaded Baked Potato Casserole ~ Creole Summer Salad w/ Tabasco Vinaigrette ~ 

Cajun Cake w/ Peanut Butter Icing ~ Chocolate Praline Cheesecake ~ (recipes below)

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Grilled Cajun Rib Eyes

4 (8 inch) Rib Eye steaks
Worcestershire sauce

Cajun Steak Rub

1/2 cup smoky paprika
1/3 cup salt
1/3 cup garlic powder
1/3 cup onion powder
2 tbs.'s dried thyme
2 tbs.'s dried oregano
2 tbs.'s black pepper
2 tbs.'s cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients in food processor and pulse until well blended. Place any unused rub in an airtight container and use for up to 3 months.

Place 4 steaks in a shallow 13 x 9 inch pan. Rub the Cajun rub into the meat on both sides. Sprinkle generously with Worcestershire sauce on both sides and cover and let sit at room temperature, for 30 minutes. Preheat grill on high heat and place steaks directly on grill and close lid.  Grill for 6 minutes, on each side for medium rare, and to 8 minutes on each side, for medium. Baste with BBQ sauce, if desired. Always use tongs to turn steaks, to keep juices in. Sinfully good!
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Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Shrimp Skewers

1 lb. (24 count) large shrimp,
peeled and deveined

1 tsp. olive oil
2 tsp.'s minced garlic
4 tbs.'s butter, cut into pieces
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tbs. Cajun seasoning
Few shakes Tabasco
2 tbs.'s bourbon

Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning. In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir until golden. Remove from heat and add bourbon, Worcestershire and Tabasco. On low heat,  add butter gradually, until glaze forms. Place shrimp on skewers and brush with bourbon glaze. Grill on medium heat about 5 minutes on each side. Baste shrimp often. Cest bon, cher! 

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Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

3 lbs. red potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 tsp. salt
6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
6 slices bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled
1 bunch green onions, including tops, sliced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 oz.'s  light sour cream
1/2 cup light mayo
2 tbs.'s Creole mustard
1 tbs. or more Cajun seasoning


Add salt to a large pot of water, add potatoes and bring to a boil, and boil for 13 to 15 minutes or until tender. Drain and transfer to a large baking dish or oven proof bowl. Sprinkle potatoes with Cajun seasoning and mix well.. In medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayo, and mustard, and a few good shakes of Tabasco. Add chopped eggs and stir until blended. Add the egg mixture to the potatoes and mix until well blended. Top with shredded cheese, green onions, and bacon. Bake in a preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until cheese melts. Out of this world!

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Creole Summer Salad w/ Tabasco Vinaigrette

Combine all ingredients in a large salad bowl.


2 cucumbers, washed and diced

1 carton cherry tomatoes, cut in half

1 onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

1/2 cup Spanish olives

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped





Tabasco Vinaigrette

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1 tbs. Creole mustard

1 tsp. Tabasco sauce

1 tsp. crushed garlic

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup olive oil

Combine first six ingredients in bowl and whisk until well blended. Add oil and continue whisking until combined. Combine with salad and chill for one hour or more. Divine!

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(click on titles to see recipe)

Crab Stuffed Jalapenos

  

Jalapeno Cheese Bread

Cajun Cake w/Peanut Butter Icing

Chocolate Praline Cheesecake

I'll be sharing these at  Fit and Fabulous Fridays , Friday Potluck , Foodie Friday, 
 Saturday Night Special , Sunday Showcase,  Savory Sunday

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Wishing ya'll a funtastic weekend, filled with good times! Merci beaucoup for stopping by! Happy Father's Day to all of you wonderful Dads out there ! Relax and Enjoy!