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Cajun recipes???
« on: July 21, 2005, 12:54:22 PM »
We're having a cajun-themed party soon and I could use a few ideas.  So far I plan on serving red beans & rice, gumbo or jambalaya and corn bread.  What about snacking things?  Any help would be greatly appreciated!


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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2005, 02:52:28 PM »
How about fried shrimp? Fried okra? With a spicy dipping sauce?
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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2005, 02:59:20 PM »
Grilled Cajun Style Alligator Tail

I'm not making that one up.


I'd have thought that just about anything jazzed up with chili sauce would work well.  It's really versatile!
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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2005, 03:10:08 PM »
barbara, check out this website.  It talks about ingredients (main ingredients, side dishes, spices, sauces) and has lots of recipes.  I'm sure it will inspire you!

http://www.gumbopages.com/recipe-page.html
"Happiness grows at our own firesides, and is not to be picked in strangers' gardens." -
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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2005, 04:50:32 PM »
Thanks alot, some good ideas here, however, I'm not sure if i can find alligator tails in Devon!  I have some newts in my pond but their pretty scrawny looking!


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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2005, 05:01:01 PM »
Thanks alot, some good ideas here, however, I'm not sure if i can find alligator tails in Devon!  I have some newts in my pond but their pretty scrawny looking!

Fried newt tails! LOL!!! ;D
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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2005, 12:45:29 AM »
Title: CAJUN COFFEE
  Categories: Beverages, Coffee, Creole
       Yield: 6 servings
 
       3 c  Hot Strong Coffee
       6 tb Molasses
       6 tb Dark Rum (If Desired)
            Whipped Cream
            Nutmeg (Freshly Ground)
 
   Combine coffed and molasses in a saucepan.  Heat, stirring, until
   molasses is dissolved and coffee is very hot.  Do not allow to boil.
   If desired place 1 Tbls. rum in each mug.  Add coffee.  Top with
   whipped cream; sprinkle with nutmeg.  Do not stir before drinking.
   From Sheila Buff & Judi Olstein, "The New Mixer's Guide to
   Low-Alcohol and Nonalcoholic Drinks." Published By HPBooks, Inc.,
   1986, ISBN 0-89586-458-4.
The only meaning anything has is the meaning you give to it.       ~Author Unknown

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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2005, 01:18:02 AM »
How about barbequed shrimp and then banana bread pudding?  I have the recipes if you want them.
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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2005, 01:42:13 AM »
If you can get your hands on some crab boil (don't know if that's possible over there) you just put some in a pot of water, bring it to a boil, then drop in a head of cauliflower just past the blanching stage. Take it out and serve. Careful, though, the longer you leave it in, the spicier it will be! I've seen grown men (Cajuns) cry because it was boiled too long! (I'm from New Orleans and this is very popular!)

Another idea is Cajun Pecans. If you're interested, I'll send you the recipe. Here's a link with some authentic recipes for you:

http://www.neworleans.com/

Good luck! Paula
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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2005, 08:33:25 AM »
How about barbequed shrimp and then banana bread pudding?  I have the recipes if you want them.

Or Emeril's banana cream pie! It's to die for!!! I had it in his restaurant in New Orleans and then came home and made it myself! So good!!!

I also have the recipe for Commander's Palace bread pudding souffle -- with whisky sauce!
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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2005, 03:00:35 PM »
ooooh, everything sounds good, especially the cauliflower!  I don't mean to be greedy, but I could do with the recipes for the bread puddings (both) and the banana cream pie.  Oh, and the cajun pecans, I had been thinking about pralines  :)

thanks so much for your help!  you could all come down this way and help cook if you like!


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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2005, 03:06:37 PM »
ooooh, everything sounds good, especially the cauliflower!  I don't mean to be greedy, but I could do with the recipes for the bread puddings (both) and the banana cream pie.  Oh, and the cajun pecans, I had been thinking about pralines  :)

thanks so much for your help!  you could all come down this way and help cook if you like!

I have to run right now, but will either post or PM you my recipes later, OK? :)
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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2005, 03:19:38 PM »
Barbara, I'll dig out my cajun pecans recipe in a bit and post. Pralines would be great but they can be kind of iffy, especially in a damp climate. Sounds like you're going to have good eats at your place!  ;D
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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2005, 07:09:49 PM »
OK, I decided to post here in case anyone else wants the recipes. Here's Emeril's banana cream pie. It takes some work, but oh it is worth it!

Emeril's Banana Cream Pie

Ingredients

5 large egg yolks
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 to 3 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
3 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 ripe banana, mashed
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3 pounds of bananas, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices
3/4 cup caramel sauce
1 cup chocolate sauce
2 cups heavy cream whipped to stiff peaks with 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
shaved chocolate
powdered sugar

Caramel Drizzle Sauce
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1 cup heavy cream   

Chocolate Sauce
1/4 cup half-and-half
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 pound semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract   


Directions for the Pie

In a mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks, cornstarch and 1 cup of the heavy cream. Whisk to blend well. Set aside. Combine the remaining 2 cups cream, 1 1/2 cups of the sugar, and the vanilla bean in a large heavy-bottom saucepan over medium heat, Whisk to dissolve the sugar and bring to a gentle boil, about 10 minutes.

Slowly add the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Be forewarned: the mixture will break. Don't be alarmed! Pour it into a glass bowl. Press a piece of plastic wrap down over the surface of the mixture to prevent a skin from forming. Let cool completely at room temperature.

When cooled, remove the vanilla bean and pour the mixture into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a wire whip. Beat at medium-speed to combine the mixture. If it will not combine, warm another 1/2 cup heavy cream and slowly add it to the mixture. Whip until you have a thick and creamy custard.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, the remaining sugar and the mashed banana. Mix thoroughly. Add the butter and mix well. Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie pan. Bake until browned, about 25 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and cool, for about 10 minutes.

Directions for the Caramel Sauce

1. In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar and water and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is a deep caramel color and has the consistency of a thin syrup, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the cream, return the saucepan to the high heat and boil the sauce until it regains the consistency of a thick syrup, about 2 minutes. Cool.

2. The sauce can be refrigerated until ready to use. Allow it to reach room temperature before drizzling it over the pie.

Directions for the Chocolate Sauce

1. Combine the half-and-half and butter in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Heat the mixture until a thin paperlike skin appears on the top. Do not boil. Add the chocolate and vanilla and stir until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.

2. Remove from the heat and let cool.

3. The sauce can be kept refrigerated for several days, but it must be returned to room temperature before serving.

Assembling Directions

1. To assemble, spread about 1/2 cup of the custard on the bottom of the crust. Arrange about a third of the banana slices, crowding them close together over the custard. Next, spread 1 cup of the custard over the bananas. Arrange another third of the banana slices close together over the custard. Top with 1 cup custard and the remaining banana slices. Top with the remaining custard, covering the bananas completely to prevent them from turning brown.

2. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours.

3. To serve, cut pie into wedges and drizzle on the caramel sauce and chocolate sauce. Top with the whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

Yields: One 9-inch pie, 8 to 10 servings

****************

What I did to save time was to buy some super-special gourmet caramel and chocolate sauces, so I skipped those steps completely! ;)
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Re: Cajun recipes???
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2005, 07:12:34 PM »
Commander's Palace Bread Pudding Souffle

(I've had this many times at Commander's Palace, but have never made it myself. If you do, I'd love to know how it comes out!)

BREAD PUDDING SOUFFLE WITH WHISKEY SAUCE
Yields 6

BREAD PUDDING

3/4 cups sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
3 medium eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla
5 cups New Orleans French Bread, 1" cubed (see note)
1/3 cup raisins

WHISKEY SAUCE

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 Tbsp. corn starch
1 Tbsp. water
3 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup bourbon

MERINGUE

9 Medium egg whites
3/4 cups sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

To make the bread pudding, first preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 8" square baking pan. Combine sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs until smooth, then work in the heavy cream. Add the vanilla, then the bread cubes. Allow bread to soak up custard.

Place the raisins in a greased pan. Top with the egg mixture, which prevents the raisins from burning. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until the pudding has a golden brown color and is firm to the touch. If a toothpick inserted in the pudding comes out clean, it is done. The mixture of pudding should be nice and moist, not runny or dry. Cool to room temperature.

To make the whiskey sauce, place the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Whisk corn starch and water together, and add to cream while whisking. Bring to a boil. Whisk and let simmer for a few seconds, taking care not to burn the mixture on the bottom. Remove from heat.

Stir in the sugar and the bourbon. Taste to make sure the sauce has a thick consistency, a sufficiently sweet taste, and a good bourbon flavor. Cool to room temperature.

To make the meringue, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter six 6 ounce ramekins. First, be certain that the bowl and whisk are clean. The egg whites should be completely free of yolk, and they will whip better if the chill is off them. This dish needs a good, stiff meringue. In a large bowl or mixer, whip egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Add the sugar gradually, and continue whipping until shiny and thick. Test with a clean spoon. If the whites stand up stiff, like shaving cream, when you pull out the spoon, the meringue is ready. Do not overwhip, or the whites will break down and the soufflé will not work.

In a large bowl, break half the bread pudding into pieces using your hands or a spoon. Gently fold in one-quarter of the meringue, being careful not to lose the air in the whites. Add a portion of this base to each of the ramekins.

Place the remaining bread pudding in the bowl, break into pieces, and carefully fold in the rest of the meringue. Top off the soufflés with this lighter mixture, to about 1 1/2 inches. Smooth and shape tops with spoon into a dome over the ramekin rim. Bake immediately for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately. Using a spoon, poke a hole in the top of each soufflé, at the table, and pour the room temperature whiskey sauce inside the soufflé.

Note: New Orleans French bread is very light and tender. If substitute bread is used that is too dense, it will soak up all the custard and the recipe will not work.
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