Easy Cajun Appetizers
Whether you are fixing a Cajun dinner for your significant other, preparing snacks for a football game, or having a large gala at your home, these easy appetizers will eliminate the need to spend hours in the kitchen standing over a hot stove. Plus, the ingredients are not exotic or unusual so you will be able to get everything you need at your local grocery store.
Firecrackers
This appetizer is not only inexpensive, but it is designed to feed a crowd. With this recipe for firecrackers, you will not have to monitor how many each guest has eaten to ensure that there is enough for everyone. All you will need is a full box of saltine crackers, 2 packets of ranch dressing powder mix, 2 tbsp. of red pepper flakes and 1 1/3 cup of canola oil. Put the oil, the ranch dressing mix, and the red pepper in a 2 1/2-gallon resealable plastic bag. Seal the bag and shake vigorously. Open the bag and put all of the crackers in the bag. Seal the bag and gently flip the bag over a three times to coat the crackers. The crackers will need to sit in the bag for two hours, and you will need to flip the bag every 15 minutes during that two-hour period. You can serve the crackers anytime after that. There is no need to worry about the crackers spoiling because the ingredients are not perishable.
Cajun-Style Party Mix
Party mix is a must-have when entertaining, and this recipe from "Taste of Home" magazine incorporates hot sauce and cayenne pepper to give the standard party mix a spicy Cajun flavor. The toughest part of this recipe is gathering all of the ingredients. You will need 6 cups of fish crackers, 6 cups pretzel sticks, 3 cups Rice Chex, 3 cups Corn Chex, 11 1/2 oz. mixed nuts, 1 cup melted butter, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. celery salt, 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, and 1/8 tsp. hot sauce. Mix the butter, garlic powder, celery salt, cayenne and pepper sauce in a bowl and set it off to the side. Put all of the other ingredients in a large roasting pan. Pour the contents of the bowl over everything in the roasting pan and stir everything with a mixing spoon. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes at a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit. You will need to stir the party mix every 15 minutes as it is baking. The recipe makes 5 quarts of party mix.
Cold Crab or Shrimp Dip
This dip is perfect for a hot day because the chef does not need to use an oven. All you need is a blender. Combine 8 oz. of softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 cups finely chopped green onion, 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp. cayenne pepper, and 1 tsp. salt in the blender. Then add either two 6-oz. cans of crab meat or 1 lb. of cooked shrimp. Close the lid of the blender and mix everything thoroughly. This dip can be served with crackers, bread cubes, chips or vegetables, depending on your tastes and dietary requirements.
Tags: will need, cayenne pepper, this recipe, butter garlic, butter garlic powder, Cajun Appetizers, cayenne pepper sauce
