Mardi Gras Recipes: Cajun Style Meals, Snacks, Drinks and More

Here are some recipes you'll be able to make with ease. The first five are mine and I have also added some selections from my favorite cooking magazine and a fantastic but challenging classic french cookbook.

Cayenne and Cinnamon Pasta Bake

Ingredients:
One Can of Hunt's roasted diced tomatoes (15oz.)
One cup whole milk
4 ounces of Ricotta Cheese
2 ounces of cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons of Progresso Italian Bread Crumbs
Rigatoni Gigante from Shop Rite about 1/2 pound
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. dill mix and oregano herb blend
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:
The cinnamon can be omitted if anyone in your family is allergic. One large clove of minced fresh garlic can be substituted for the garlic powder.
Boil the pasta according to the package directions, about 13 minutes, and drain. Combine tomatoes with juice, milk, and ricotta in a sauce pan on your stop top just till they begin to boil. Add last four ingredients to the creamy tomato mixture and stir until it smells right, about three minutes. Place rigatoni in the Pyrex baking dish and pour the sauce over it. Top with the shredded cheddar, orange or white it doesn't' matter, and then top with the breadcrumbs. Cover with the lid or aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 400⁰ oven for 25 to 30 minutes. This recipe feeds 6-8 people.

Sweet and Tangy Canned Pink Beans

Ingredients:
One Can Goya Pink Beans (15.5 oz)
One Can Goya Tomato Sauce (8oz.)
One packet Savon Goya powdered seasoning (sold in perforated packages of 12)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large clove minced garlic
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 tablespoon Hershey's Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/2 tsp.cumin
1/2 tsp. crushed dried thyme- crush between your fingers just before use
2 tsp. white sugar

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and boil covered for twenty minutes, stir once or twice. Serve a a topping for rice or baked potatoes or whatever you feel like. It's your party.

Deviled Egg Salad:

Ingredients:
2 hard boiled eggs
1/2 cup Miracle Whip Salad Dressing
1 tablespoon sweet relish from Heinz
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:
Combine all ingredients. Serve chilled. Adjust measurements to suite your taste. This serves just two people. Multiply till you get enough for half your guest list.

Hot Drinks:

"Vanilla-Orange Tea for Lois"
One Lipton Caffeine Free Natural Orange Flavor Tea Bag
One Packet Raw Sugar
1/4 teaspoon imitation vanilla from Shop Rite
10oz boiling water
(serves one)

" Bet's Easy Instant Mocha"
Murray's brand Instant Coffee (1 tablespoon)
Hershey's cocoa powder (1 teaspoon)
Non-dairy creamer of your choice (1 teaspoon)
Sugar (1 teaspoon)
Pinch of kosher salt
10oz. boiling water
(serves one)

Other great additions to your buffet:
1. Spice Rubbed Chicken with Hominy (page 108 Everyday Food, October 2007, issue #46)
2. Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia with black bean salsa (page 141 Everyday Food, Jan/Feb 2006 issue #29)
3. Mousse De Carottes (Carrot Mousse) service for four. Page #132
Le Bec Fin Recipes, Georges Perrier, Running Press, 1997