Fire Up the Grill for Spicy Cajun Kabobs

It's officially the weekend now and time to relax around the bayou and grill up some yummy good stuff. These are my son's favorite, so I decided to start with these fabulous kabobs. I'm expecting guests for dinner and I don't have a lot of time to prepare, so these will be quick and easy. First, you'll want to make the Cajun rub, which is fantastic for anything that you're grilling. I make a large batch and keep in an airtight container, for convenience. I will be serving these scrumptious kabobs with my Cajun Rice Dressing,  and Deviled-Egg Potato Salad. Bon Appetit!

Cajun Rub

2 tbs.'s Tony Chachere's Spice N' Herbs seasoning ( great for blackening or bronzing)
(or Cajun seasoning)
Salt to taste
1 tsp. each of garlic powder, onion powder,
paprika, and thyme

Spicy Cajun Chicken Kabobs

 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into quarters
12 slices of thick bacon, cut in halves
2 large yellow bell peppers, quartered
2 large green bell peppers, quartered
1 carton fresh whole mushrooms, stems removed

Rub chicken with Cajun rub,wrap in bacon and set aside. Place all veggies on large platter and sprinkle with remaining rub. Assemble on skewers, alternating the meat and veggies.
(green pepper, mushroom, bacon, chicken, yellow pepper, mushroom, bacon, chicken, etc.) You can get creative and add any veggies that you like. Grill on medium heat for 10 minutes. Flip and baste with honey mustard or barbeque sauce, and grill for 10 more minutes. Top off with more sauce and grill for 10 more minutes and they will be grilled to perfection. Just the beginning of grilling season in Cajun Country. Ca cest, bon, cher!

Cajun Bloody Marys + More Bayou Boogie

Here is a great recipe that I acquired in college, that is
a "no fail" Cajun cure for a hangover. Guaranteed! Cheers!

Cajun Bloody Marys

Absolute vodka to taste 
64 oz. tomato juice
1 Tbs. Tony's Creole seasoning
1 Tbs. horseradish
1 tsp. 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 or pitcher.
Garnish with celery tops and olives, and small cocktail onions.

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Some of my bloggie buds have commented that they want to hear some more music. A little Cajun or maybe Zydeco, or Louisiana Blues ? Lassiez' les Bon Ton Rouler, cher !

Clip # 1 - Festival Acadiens et Creole - Clip # 2 - Tab Benoit and Friends

Spicy Boiled Shrimp w/ Remoulade Sauce

 I was browsing through my summer recipe collection and came upon this wonderful recipe for Remoulade Sauce that my friend, Gail, gave me. Her boyfriend has a crawfish pond and his buddy is a shrimper, and they frequently bring over tons of crawfish, shrimp, and crabs, to boil on her patio. When she calls me and says, " they're on the way over", then you can bet that I say, " I'm on the way over, too" ! Oh, the life of a Cajun, is oh so good ! Enjoy !

Spicy Boiled Shrimp

3 lbs. fresh jumbo shrimp
1 cup white wine
2 tbs.'s salt
1 tbs. Louisiana brand Crab and Shrimp Boil
or 2 tbs.'s Cajun seasoning per pound
1 tbs. Old Bay seasoning per pound
2 onions, quartered
2 lemons, quartered
4 bay leaves

In a large pot, place the seasonings, wine, onions, lemons, and bay leaves. Add enough water to cover the shrimp + 2 inches and bring to a boil. Boil the seasoned water for 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and continue to boil, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat , cover and allow to steep for 10 to 20 minutes, depending how spicy you like it. Drain and set aside and allow to cool.

Remoulade Sauce

 1 cup mayonnaise
1 tbs. yellow mustard+ 1 tbs. Creole mustard
1 tbs. horseradish
1/4 cup green onions + tops, chopped fine
1/4 cup celery, chopped fine
1 tbs. or more, Cajun seasoning
1 tsp.paprika
Salt to taste
Few shakes of Tabasco sauce

Combine all ingredients in bowl and blend thoroughly. Chill  for 1 hour before serving with shrimp. Bon Appetit !

Looking For Cajun Products? Look No Further : Cajun Supermarket

Cajun Queen for a Day !

It was a marvelous family day, on the bayou, filled with good food, great music, and fun. The day began with a lovely breakfast in bed and roses and just got better as time went on. Families were out on their pleasure boats on the Bayou Vermilion, enjoying the warm but, beautiful day. The line was very long at the Mother's Day buffet, at my favorite restaurant, and was filled with just about every world famous Cajun and Creole dish imaginable. Well worth the wait !! Cest' bon, cher! The Crab Cakes and the Stuffed Shrimp were divine, cher!

Then it was on to the Blue Moon Saloon which celebrated Mother's Day with a benefit for for Lymphoma survivor and friend, Francis Haymark Handy, who has been bravely battling the disease for a couple of years. Happily, she is doing well, but the financial toll has been great.

There was a silent auction with various local artists donating their work for the event.

Three different bands played this benefit and drew a huge crowd. Band #1, "L'Angeleus" really wowed the crowd with their unique style of traditional Cajun music. They are the grandchildren of master fiddler, Hadley Castille, and it is evidently "in the genes".

They were a breath of fresh air with their unbridled enthusiasim and superb performance. Hope that everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day because tomorrow will be business, as usual, right? And time to give up the crown, or not?

L'Angeleus

T.G.I.F. With French Rockin' Boogie !

There was a beautiful breeze tonight at Downtown Alive, at Parc International. Although any breeze is very unusual for May in Louisiana, it took the edge off the heat that was building up on the dance floor. With thousands dancing to the hypnotic beat of Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie, it was just the perfect thing for those of us who may have had a stressful work week or for those just wanting to relax with family and friends It is better known as a fais do do, (fay- dough-dough) or street dance and described as one big,  giant happy hour.

The spirited crowd was really jamming to the traditional zydeco tunes that this popular band is famous for. Zydeco dancing is a very aerobic activity and is very helpful in burning off the many calories consumed in a typical Cajun meal. This is one of the secrets of being a Cajun that you will learn about by hanging around in Cajun Country. Dancing is good for the soul, as well as the body. To dance to a great band, to great music, with my friends and family, on a regular basis, is perhaps one my favorite pastimes. Next to eating delicious fresh gulf seafood, like this shrimp poboy that was my dinner tonight. Ca cest' bon! Let the good times roll. cher!

Spicy Cajun Cornbread + Bayou Boogie

Here's another family favorite that is really easy to make. This was my dear mother's recipe and it's still the best cornbread that I've ever eaten. The sweetness of the corn and the heat of the jalapenos, blend together like bread and butter. The buttermilk and cheese add a special touch. It is a perfect addition to any meal and is a common staple on the Cajun dinner table.

Spicy Cajun Cornbread

2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups yellow cornmeal
1 tbs. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, optional
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup seeded and sliced jalapeno pepper
1 can creamed style corn

In a large bowl, beat the buttermilk, eggs and oil. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Mix well and pour into a greased cast iron skillet and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

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Cajun Jam- Blue Moon Saloon

Happy Cinco de Mayo !

Leave it to the Cajuns to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. On May 5, 1862, the Mexicans defeated the French at the Mexican Battle of Puebla. For more on this battle, click here. A very forgiving group or is the Cajun love of a good party what turns any occasion into a shin-dig ? You tell me. We gladly and willingly joined the Cinco de Mayo celebration at Agave's Mexican Grill and Cantina, in dowtown Lafayette. Their Margaritas were excellent and were on sale, at that. After toasting to the underdogs, ("Long Live the French") we decided to order some of the fabulous food that was all around us. And since I love Mexican food, I decided to order one of my favorite items on the menu. The Fiesta Salad was divine and so colorful and appetizing.

After we ate, some friends called to say that they were at another Cinco de Mayo party at Serrano's Salsa Company and wanted us to join them. There was a Cajun band playing under a big tent, on the restaurant parking lot. It was Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys who have been nominated for several Grammy awards and are considered one of the best Cajun bands in the world. The mood was electrified and the party was just beginning. We had an absolute blast ! Let the Good Times Roll, Let em' Roll, Let em' Roll !

Crawfish Festival Lagniappe' + Bayou Blues

The fun went on Sunday, at the Crawfish Festival, despite a few light showers, later in the day. The long awaited Crawfish Etoufee' Cook- Off drew flocks of happy tasters and the judges had their work cut out for them. But, I still couldn't resist another couple of the Crab, Shrimp, and Crawfish Pistols. Oh, ca' cest' bon, cher! So good! The music was fantastic and Joe Hall and the Louisiana Canecutters were entertaining the crowd with their highly seasoned brand of Cajun/Zydeco tunes.

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Here's a special request from one of my bloggie buds, for this blues medley video that I took at Festival International.. This one's for you, Robert.

Lil' Buck Sinegal and Friends

Live From Breaux Bridge- It's The Crawfish Festival !

It was a beautiful day at The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. A tad warm and humid, but with a nice breeze, which kept it from feeling quite so hot. Thousands upon thousands of fans of some of the area's hottest bands were cutting the rug at the festival today, while the aroma of tons of spicy crawfish filled the air and enticed many to indulge in the tasty mudbugs. I ate at least 5 lbs and they were FAB, and so hot and spicy! Cest bon, cher!

I had my eye on this one food booth called Roger's Cajun Pistols. A little later after some Zydeco dancing, I decided to try the Crab, Shrimp, and Crawfish Pistols and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", they were fabulous! Oh cest' bon!

The Cajun dance contest was a blast and was the fine art of Cajun and Zydeco dancing at it's best. We took a break and headed over to Daiquiris on Wheels for a little refreshment in the form of frozen strawberries and then headed over to the Festival Stage where Steve Riley and The Mamou Playboys were playing and rev-ing up the crowd. The heat was really rising off the dance floor with a whole lot of boogie-ing going on.

Another fun day and another great festival! Let the good times roll!

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys

Cajun Life Along the Bayou

T.G.I.F- Thank Goodness It's Funday and Friday! This evening we had our annual community crawfish boil. A sort of reward for living in our great community. Although living here is reward enough, it's lagniappe. A good time was had by all who attended and the crawfish were the best yet. Lots of hot, spicy crawfish always seems to bring out the best in people.
 







 The caterers, La. Crawfish Time, really knew their stuff. Free crawfish and beer, a beautiful day, a good D.J. and great fellowship. Life along the bayou is good!

• And tomorrow and Sunday we'll be going to The Crawfish Festival, in Breaux Bridge. I cannot wait to eat crawfish pie, and sample the crawfish etouffee at the Crawfish Etouffee Cook Off at the festival. And since many of my favorite bands will be playing, I am looking forward to dancing more than a few two steps. I will be getting lots of pics and videos to share with ya'll,  so stay tuned. It's going to be an absolute blast. Let the crawfish roll, cher!