Alva Bell's Recipe Box
Homemade Maple Syrup
An old fashioned and inexpensive method of preparing your own pancake and waffle syrup. There are many variations such as adding a little vanilla extract, or any flavor extract you prefer. Plus you have hot syrup with no fuss! So when you reach out and find you are out of ...
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Chicken Étouffée (Etouffee)
Sometimes you may want seafood ÉtouffĂ©e, but find that you only have chicken on hand…well, I guess we gonna use chicken. I am dedicating this recipe to my Nannie, now gone from this earth. As the daughter of a trapper/trader she learned to cook early…sometimes it was only with the ...
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Cheese Puff
An appetizer for all seasons and all parties. They can be prepared ahead of time and cooked right before serving. Ingredients1/2 pound butter, softened 2 cups flour, sifted 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 1 pound grated sharp cheddar cheese 1/4 tsp dry mustard 1 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp green onions, ...
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Hitachi Rice Cooker Bar-B-Que Shrimp
Although Hitachi makes many appliances, almost every Cajun who bought a rice cooker called it by its manufacturer name – a Hitachi! Although not BBQ’ed these shrimp have a buttery smoky flavor Ingredients2 - 3 pounds shrimp (depending on how many will fit into your insert dish) 1/2 stick butter ...
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Sugarless Fig/Pear Preserves
Everyone knows Cajuns love their figs. Diabetes is unfortunately a problem in Cajun Country, therefore regular processed figs should not be eaten by a diabetic. This recipe will allow the Cajun to have his “figs” and eat them too! Ingredients4 cups figs or pears, cooked 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 ...
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Frozen Fruit Salad
This is a wonderful dessert that can be prepared, frozen and served when needed. Ingredients2 cups sour cream 2 tbsp lemon juice 3/4 cup sugar pinch salt 1 can (9 oz) crushed pineapple 1/4 cup chopped pecans 1 sliced bananaDirectionsStep 1Layer in the following order: sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, ...
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Maw Maw Ruby’s Gueydan Courtbouillon
Shayne writes, “Hey MawMaw. I’m seeing a lot of courtbouillon recipes, but all of them are tomato based. Coming from a long line of Cajuns from Gueydan, Delcambre, Erath, Lake Charles, Choupique, and New Iberia, etc.. I believe a true courtbouillon is a clear/white based gravy and not tomato based. ...
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Steen’s Syrup Dip for Pig Ears or Croquinoles
Ken’s recipe request asked: “My mother used to make croquinoles and a Steen’s syrup coating to dip them in. I know she cooked the syrup then let them set. They were gummy but good.” Ken also adds – “Very good and better if you add a little crushed pecan on ...
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Sesame Benne’ Candy – Fudge or Pralines
When I was a little girl, I remember an aunt would make candy with sesame seeds… this is the recipe! The Cajun word for sesame is benne and roasting them brings back wonderful childhood memories. Recipe submitted by a website visitor. Ingredients1 cup sesame seeds 1 pound box light brown ...
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Peach Glaze Parfait with Warm Whiskey Sauce
Peaches and cream has a whole new meaning with this recipe! The sauce can be used on bread pudding or fruitcake also. Peaches can be round or shaped like donuts, with a pit instead of a hole, have yellow or white flesh and skin, and be either clingstone or freestone. ...
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Baked or Grilled Baby Back Ribs
Ingredients5 lbs pork baby back ribs garlic powder 2 tsp garlic powder to taste sesame seeds, roasted 1/4 cup soy sauce black pepper to taste 1/4 cup brown sugar small amount of Worcestershire sauce Tabasco sauce to taste Crystal Lite lemonade (diluted, used for tenderizer)DirectionsStep 1Prepare enough Crystal Lite lemonade ...
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Canning Figs Without Sugar
With the high rate of diabetes in the Cajun population, this is the perfect recipe to keep enjoying your figs! Ingredientstree-ripened figs 1 tbsp canned lemon per quartDirectionsStep 1Use tree ripened figs. Sort and wash carefully. DO NOT use soda for cleaning. It can make figs unsafe when canned plain ...
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Pap – An Old Fashioned Stovetop Custard
There has often been confusion over the word “PAP”. Some individuals use the term for infant cereal, but a true pap is a custard type dish that is rich in flavor. Pap is a stirred custard, also known as soft custard, custard sauce or, erroneously, boiled custard. It is cooked ...
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Cajun Hot Wings
Hot, Hotter or Hottest… your choice when cooking these wings. Ingredients1 (16 oz) bottle hot sauce (see below for suggestions) 2 sticks of whole, salted butter 1/3 cup buttermilk 1/4 cup mustard Salt, black pepper, red pepper Juice of one lemon 32 chicken wings, tips cut off, drums divided from ...
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Stuffed Jalapeño or Banana Peppers with Crabmeat
This is a recipe request for GeeWee. GeeWee got the name from her first grandchild. Her grandchild had a Granny and a MeeMee on her Daddy’s side and one day she walked in and the baby threw her arms up and said GeeWee! It stuck. Gee Wee states, “I’m her ...
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