Bayou Bourbon Burgers + Cook Out Menu

Here's a Cajun fave that is bursting with spicy flavors and will have your family and guests coming back for more and begging you for the recipe, cher.  These sinfully delicious burgers are so easy to make and just perfect for your Memorial Day celebrations and summer cookouts. I've also included my Memorial Day cookout menu with links to each scrumptious recipe.
Bon appetit!

Bayou Bourbon Burgers

2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 tbs. Tabasco sauce

1 tbs. liquid smoke
2 tbs.'s minced garlic

1/2 cup onions, finely chopped
1 or 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped

1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt

6 large burger buns
3 tbs.'s butter, melted

Place meat and all other ingredients in large bowl and mix gently, but thoroughly. Shape meat mixture into 6 patties and cover with foil and chill for one or more hours. Preheat gas grill on medium- high heat or charcoal grill on medium- high and cook for 7 to 10 minutes on each side, for medium. Baste before and after with my Bourbon BBQ Sauce, (recipe below), turning once, halfway. Baste buns with melted butter and grill to the side for 5 minutes to toast. Garnish with your favorite toppings.
 

Bourbon BBQ Sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup bourbon

2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup cane syrup

1 tbs. Creole mustard

1 tbs. Liquid Smoke

1 tsp. Tabasco sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tbs.'s onion, minced

Combine bourbon and sugar in saucepan and heat and stir on medium heat, until sugar melts.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Add a little water, if needed. Use as a basting sauce and make extra for dipping.

 ^^^^^^^
Also on the menu: (click on title to view recipe)

Spicy Cajun Grilled Chicken

Creole Potato Salad

Cajun Seven Layer Dip

 Spicy Creole Jambalaya

 
 Cajun Grilled Corn on the Cob

Bayou Bourbon Beans

Cajun Style French Bread

Strawberry Shortcake Muffins

 Banana Pudding Squares

Frozen Pina Coladas

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.

Enjoy and have a Happy Memorial Day, Ya'll!
Merci beaucoup for stopping by! 

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)

^^^^^^^
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.

^^^^^^^

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

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

Cajun Mardi Gras Faves

Mardi Gras is in full swing here in Cajun country and we've been having a blast and it's  time to eat, drink, and be merry, and let the good times roll, cher! Here are a few of my favorite Mardi Gras party recipes that are guaranteed to please your family and guests. They are all sinfully good and what Mardi Gras party would be complete without these fabulous Cajun faves. Cest' bon!

Spicy Cajun Crawfish Cakes

1 lb. fresh crawfish tails

2 tbs.'s mayo

1 tbs. Creole or Dijon mustard

1/2  tsp. Tabasco sauce

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp. or more, Cajun seasoning

1 cup saltine cracker crumbs

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

2 tbs.'s olive oil

In large bowl, combine all ingredients, except oil and breadcrumbs and mix well. Roll in breadcrumbs, shape into 8 patties, and chill for 30 minutes. Heat oil, in large nonstick skillet, and cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve with my Creole Tartar Sauce. (recipe below)

Creole Tartar Sauce

1 cup light mayo
1 tbs. Creole mustard
1 tbsp. each, green onions and fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp. minced garlic 1 tbs. sweet pickle relish
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Few shakes Tabasco

Combine all ingredients in bowl and chill. Fab!

^^^^^^^
And by popular demand.

Mini Muffalettas

Creole Potato Salad

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

Cajun BBQ Shrimp

Mardi Gras Slaw w/ Cajun Hush Puppies

King Cake Bread Pudding

Cajun Beer-Garitas

Cheers and Happy Mardi Gras, Ya'll! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Last Minute Super Bowl Faves

Almost time for the Super Bowl and and here are a few of the sinfully delicious items on my menu that I will be serving my family and friends. All out of this world, cher!  And since the weather forecast is calling for 75 degrees and sunny here in Cajun country, we will also be boiling some spicy Louisiana crawfish and shrimp on the patio. Bon appetit!

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip

 

Spicy Cajun Crab Dip

 








 Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos

 Cajun Meatball Sliders

Spicy Cajun Crawfish Beignets w/Remoulade Sauce

Spicy Cajun Chicken Wings

Spicy Cajun Crockpot Jambalaya

Kahlua Fudge Cupcakes

Mardi Gras Bread Pudding

Wishing you all a very happy and fun Super Bowl Sunday! Merci beaucoup for passing by!

Cajun New Year's Faves

What better way to start off the New Year than with a New Year's brunch with family and friends. Here is my brunch buffet menu for 2017 and it is chocked full of delectable Cajun favorites.  I am also following the Cajun tradition of eating black eye peas for good luck and cabbage for good health, throughout the New Year.  And if it's New Years, cher, can Mardi Gras be far behind!


Bon appetit and Happy New Year!

(click on links to view recipes)

Crawfish Dip w/ Pastry Shells  * Spicy Cajun Buffalo Wings   *  Shrimp Remoulade 

 Cajun Baked Ham w/ Sugarcane-Bourbon Glaze   

 

Cajun Potato Salad  *  Creole Smothered Cabbage  * New Year's Jambalaya

  Cajun Breakfast Casserole * Jalapeno Hashbrown Casserole 

  Mama's Cornmeal Biscuits  *  Cajun Sausage Cornbread

 Chocolate Bread Pudding w/ Praline Sauce * Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake 

 

  Cajun Bloody Mary's

^^^^^^^
And if you're wondering what to do with that ham bone in the freezer from Christmas dinner, here's a way to use it for your New Year's celebration.  Here's an easy, delicious recipe for slow cooker black-eyed peas that will have you adding this fabulous dish to your table at any time of year!

Slow Cooker "Good Luck" Black-Eyed Peas

1 pound dried black-eyed peas

1 tbs. vegetable oil

1 large red onion, chopped

1/2 cup each, red and green bell peppers, and celery

2 tsp.'s minced garlic

1 can diced Ro-tel tomatoes w/ green chilies, drained

1 quart water, (more, if needed)
1 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tbs. Cajun seasoning

Few good shakes Tabasco

1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. yellow mustard

1 cup ham, chopped

1 ham bone, (with some meat left on)

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 cup green onions, tops included, sliced

Saute the onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic, in the vegetable oil, until soft. (about 10 minutes) Combine all ingredients in slow cooker, except the parsley and green onions, and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low, for 7 to 8 hours. Remove ham bone and add the parsley and green onions in the last 30 minutes, stir well, and maybe add a little more hot sauce.

 Happy 2017 Ya'll! Merci beaucoup for passing by!

Cajun Christmas Desserts and Drinks

Tis' the season and I'm busy getting ready for the holidays and wanted to share a few of my family's favorite Christmas dessert and drink recipes that will be on my menu this year. By popular demand, these recipes are all heavenly and are guaranteed to please your family and guests. Cest bon, cher and Happy Holidays, Ya'll!

 ^^^^^^^ 
Easy Kahlua Cake w/ Chocolate-Rum Glaze

1 box of dark chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (4 ounce) package of chocolate fudge pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup brewed Community coffee, cooled
1/2 cup Kahlua
1 cup chopped pecans, for garnish


Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat for 4 minutes on medium speed. Transfer batter into a lightly greased bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes and then drizzle with glaze and garnish with pecans. Fab!
^^^^^^^
 Chocolate-Rum Glaze


1 cup dark brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/4 cup rum
1/4 cup water

 





Melt butter in medium saucepan.  Add brown sugar, rum, and water, and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute or until thick.  Punch holes in cake and pour glaze evenly over cake.

^^^^^^^
 Christmas Bread Pudding w/ Nanny's  Rum Sauce

1 16 oz. loaf French bread,  torn into small pieces

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 cups milk

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup sugar

1 cup fresh cranberries

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 tbs.'s brandy

Dash of salt

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

8 large eggs

Tear bread into small pieces in large bowl. Pour melted butter over bread pieces and toss to coat.

In large saucepan, combine cream, milk ,sugar, vanilla, brandy, salt, and nutmeg. bring to a simmer, over medium heat, and stir until sugar is dissolved, and remove from heat.

Whisk eggs until smooth in large bowl. Slowly add the hot milk mixture to eggs, whisking constantly.

Fold in the cranberries and white chocolate chips. Pour the custard mixture over the bread and let stand for 15 minutes.

Pour into a 13x9 inch greased baking pan and place in a larger pan, with enough water to reach halfway up the sides

Bake in a 325 degree preheated oven for 60 minutes, covering with foil, after 30 minutes. Serve with Nanny's Rum Sauce. (recipe below)

Nanny's Rum Sauce

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tbs.'s flour

1 stick butter

2 tbs.'s dark rum

Combine flour, water, sugar, and butter in sauce pan. Heat on low and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla and rum. Mix well and serve over bread pudding.

^^^^^^^

 Creole Pecan Pie

3 eggs, lightly beaten
4 tbs.'s butter, softened
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup cane syrup or dark corn syrup
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp.salt
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell

Beat eggs, butter, and sugar together until thick. Add syrup, vanilla, salt, and pecans.

Mix well and pour into pie shell. Bake at 300 degrees for about 1 hour or until filling is firm. Place aluminum foil over top during the last 15 minutes, if browning too much.

^^^^^^^
Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake

 Marguerite's Christmas Cookies

 















 Bourbon Brownies w/ Praline Icing

^^^^^^^
And for a little lagniappe, here are a few of my favorite drinks to serve during the holidays. Enjoy! Cheers, cher!

Black Santa Martini

4 ounces coffee liqueur
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces peppermint schnapps
Crushed ice
Mint leaves or peppermint sticks for garnish

Place all ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake for a few minutes and pour into martini glasses. Garnish with mint leaves and/ or peppermint sticks. Serves 2  Out of this world!

Ultimate Cajun Eggnog

5 scoops French vanilla ice cream

5 scoops mocha ice cream

1 1/2 cups purchased eggnog
1/2 cup bourbon
1/2 cup brandy
2 tbs.'s orange liqueur
Chocolate shavings and grated nutmeg and/or cinnamon sticks for garnishes

Combine all ingredients, except garnishes, in blender and blend on lowest speed until the mixture is smooth and frothy. Pour into pitcher and sprinkle with garnishes. Fab!
^^^^^^
For my Christmas Dinner menu, click here.

Bon Appetit and Joyeaux Noel!!