Italian Chicken Pasta Recipes

Mardi Gras Recipes

Here are a few of my favorite Mardi Gras recipes! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Main Dishes

Cajun Crawfish and Shrimp Etouffe

(I found this tasty meal at all recipes)

Serves 6

Ingredients

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 small green bell pepper, diced

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 stalks celery, diced

2 fresh tomatoes, chopped

2 tablespoons Louisiana-style hot sauce

1/3 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)

2 tablespoons seafood seasoning

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup fish stock

1 pound crawfish tails

1 pound medium shrimp - peeled and deveined

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Gradually stir in flour, and stir constantly until the mixture turns 'peanut butter' brown or darker, at least 15 or 20 minutes. I use a large fork with the flat side to the bottom of the pan in a side to side motion. This is your base sauce or 'Roux'. It is very important to stir this constantly. If by chance the roux burns, discard and start over.

2. Once the roux is browned, add the onions, garlic, celery and bell pepper to the skillet, and saut for about 5 minutes to soften. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and fish stock, and season with the seafood seasoning. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Season the sauce with hot pepper sauce and cayenne pepper (if using), and add the crawfish and shrimp. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque.

Barlow's Blackened Catfish

(I found this tasty meal at all recipes)

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons lemon pepper

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons pepper

1 pound catfish fillets

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup Italian-style salad dressing

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.

2. In a shallow, medium bowl, mix cayenne pepper, lemon pepper, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

3. Brush both sides of catfish fillets with butter. Rub fillets with the cayenne pepper mixture on both sides.

4. Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until really hot. Add fillets, and fry approximately 2 minutes on each side, until slightly blackened.

5. Arrange blackened fillets in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, and coat with Italian-style salad dressing. Bake 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

Cajun chicken Pasta

(I found this tasty meal at all recipes)

Serves 2

Ingredients

4 ounces linguine pasta

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

2 tablespoons butter

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

4 fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 green onion, chopped

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

2. Place the chicken and the Cajun seasoning in a plastic bag. Shake to coat. In a large skillet over medium heat, saut the chicken in butter or margarine until almost tender (5 to 7 minutes).

3. Add the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, mushrooms and green onion. Saut and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat.

4. Add the cream, basil, lemon pepper, salt, garlic powder and ground black pepper. Heat through. Add the cooked linguine, toss and heat through. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and serve.

Snacks

Cajun Seafood Balls

(I found this yummy snack at a cajun family's recipe collection)

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 lb fresh crabmeat, drained

1/4 lb small shrimp

1/4 lb crawfish

3 med potatoes, cooked and mashed

1 med onion, minced fine

1 clove garlic, minced fine

2 tbs. fresh minced parsley

2 tbs. fresh minced green onions

1 tbs. fresh minced jalapeno pepper

1-1/2 cups plus 1/3 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1 egg beaten

2 to 4 tbs. skim milk

2-1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp white pepper

2 cups peanut oil

Directions

1. Combine crabmeat, shrimp, crawfish, potatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, green onions, and jalapeno peppers.

2. Add 1-1/2 cups flour, mix well. Add egg, milk, salt and pepper. Stir until well blended.

3. Shape into 32 balls about 2 tabs. of mixture for each ball. Roll the balls in the remaining 1/3 cup flour.

4. Fry in 2 cups of peanut oil at 350F for 5 minuets or until they are golden brown. Drain well.

Cajun Party Meatballs

(I found this yummy snack at a cajun family's recipe collection)

Makes about 120 meatballs

Ingredients

1 lb ground pork

3 lb ground lean beef

1 small can evaporated milk

1 cup dry bread crumbs

4 eggs, well beaten

2 tbs. Worcestershire sauce

1 onion, minced

2 cloves garlic minced

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp dry mustard

3 tbs. minced parsley

Directions

1. In large mixing bowl combine eggs, bread crumbs, milk and Worcestershire sauce.

2. Add meat and remaining ingredients Mix real well.

3. Shape the mixture into meatballs.

4. Bake at 350F in oven until brown.

5. Place meatballs into chafing dish and pour sauce over the meatballs.

Cajun Chafing Shrimp

(I found this yummy snack at a cajun family's recipe collection)

Serves 10 to 12

Ingredients

6 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2 cup olive oil

1 cup melted butter or margarine

1/2 cup hickory-flavored barbecue sauce

1 cup chili sauce

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 lemons, sliced

1/4 cup liquid smoke

2 tbs. parsley flakes

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Hot sauce to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

4 lb med. shrimp, peeled and deveined

Directions

1. Saut garlic in olive oil. Add remaining ingredients except shrimp; simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Pour over shrimp; bake at 300F for 20 minutes or until shrimp begins to turn pink.

3. Cool; then refrigerate several hours for seasonings to blend.

4. Before serving, reheat shrimp and transfer to a chafing dish set on low heat. Have toothpicks handy for serving.

Desserts

King Cake

(I found this tasty dessert at all recipes)

Serves 12

Yield 1 ring shaped loaf

Ingredients

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast

1/2 cup white sugar

1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

1/2 cup butter, melted

5 egg yolks

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon multicolored candy sprinkles

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and white sugar in warm milk. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

2. Stir the egg yolks and melted butter into the milk mixture. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, nutmeg and lemon zest. Beat the flour mixture into the milk/egg mixture 1 cup at a time. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.

3. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Mix well. In another small bowl, combine the remaining 2 cups confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons milk. Mix well and set aside.

4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough out into a 6x30 inch rectangle. Spread the cream cheese filling across the center of the dough. Bring the two long edges together and seal completely. Using your hands shape the dough into a long cylinder and place on a greased baking sheet, seam-side down. Shape the dough into a ring press the baby into the ring from the bottom so that it is completely hidden by the dough. Place a well-greased 2 pound metal coffee can the center of the ring to maintain the shape during baking. Cover the ring with a towel and place in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

5. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove the coffee can and allow the bread to cool. Drizzle cooled cake with lemon/sugar glaze and decorate with candy sprinkles.

Cajun Cake

(I found this tasty dessert at all recipes)

Serves 24

Yield 1 - 9x13pan

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup evaporated milk

1/2 pound butter

1 cup chopped pecans

1 1/2 cups flaked coconut

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.

2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, 1 1/2 cup sugar, salt and baking soda. Add eggs, pineapple and juice. Mix at low speed until well blended.

3. Pour batter into prepared 9x13 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 35 minutes or until done. Have topping ready when cake is done.

4. To Make Topping: In a saucepan, combine milk, 3/4 cup sugar and butter. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add pecans and coconut and combine. Remove from heat.

5. When cake comes out of the oven, Pour on the topping and carefully spread on while cake is still hot.

Drinks-

Bourbon Slush

(I found the recipe to this delicious drink at all recipes)

Serves 14

Ingredients

1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate

1 (12 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate

1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2 cups strong brewed black tea

2 cups bourbon whiskey

1 (2 liter) bottle lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage

Directions

1. In a large bowl or container, mix together the orange juice concentrate, lemonade concentrate, pineapple juice, sugar, tea, and whiskey. Transfer to shallow bowls or dishes, and freeze overnight.

2. Remove the frozen mixture from the freezer and let stand for about 10 minutes. Chop with a wire whisk or potato masher to make a slushy consistency. Place scoops of the frozen slush into glasses, and top off with the lemon-lime flavored soda.

Trinidad's Ponche-de-Crme (punch with crme)

(I found the recipe to this delicious drink at all recipes)

Serves 6

Ingredients

6 eggs, beaten

2 teaspoons grated lime zest

3 (14 ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup canned evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups rum

1 tablespoon aromatic bitters

1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat eggs and lime zest using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually pour in the condensed milk while continuing to mix, and then pour in the evaporated milk.

2. Stir in the rum and bitters, and sprinkle with nutmeg. Transfer to a bottle and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve over crushed ice.

Footnotes

This recipe contains raw eggs. You may replace the 6 eggs in this recipe with 1 1/2 cups of purchased pasteurized egg product. You may also pasteurize your own eggs by heating in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir constantly so you do not cook the eggs, and heat to 160 degrees F (68 degrees C).

Very Fruity Rum Punch

(I found the recipe to this delicious drink at all recipes)

Serves24

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups rum

1/3 cup banana liqueur

1 dash grenadine syrup

1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate

1 (6 ounce) can frozen pineapple juice concentrate

1 orange, sliced into rounds

1 lime, sliced into rounds

1 lemon, sliced into rounds

Directions

In a large punch bowl, prepare the orange and pineapple juice according to package directions. Stir in the rum, banana liqueur and Grenadine. Float slices of orange, lime and lemon on top.

List of sources

Arvillalar, "King Cake." All Recipes.

Carol Spraling, "Cajun Chicken Pasta." All Recipes.

CRYSTAL_CLARE, "Trinidad's Ponche-de-Creme." All Recipes.

Jeff Barlow, "Barlow's Blackened Catfish." All Recipes.

Jeff Khoury, "Very Fruity Rum Punch." All Recipes.

Kitty, "Cajun Cake." All Recipes.

Merlin Bodin, "Cajun Cahfing Shrimp." A Cajun Family's Recipe Collection.

Merlin Bodin, "Cajun Party Meatballs." A Cajun Family's Recipe Collection.

Merlin Bodin, "Cajun Seafood Balls." A Cajun Family's Recipe Collection.

RHONDA35, "Cajun Crawfish and Shrimp Etouffe." All Recipes.

Robbie Rice , "Bourbon Slush." All Recipes.