Some Recipes From My Zatarains House Party

Here are some of my recipes from the Zatarain's House Party. The theme was Cajun so I added one of my favorite dishes Chicken and Andouilee Etouffee'. It's a tomato flavored gravy with the holy trinity (onion, celery, and green pepper) and chicken and sausage. I make it mildly spicy so my family can add their own heat.

Chicken and Andouille Sausage Etouffee'

1/4 c canola oil
1/4 c flour
1 onion diced
2 celery stalks cut length wise into 3rds and diced
1 small bell pepper diced
2 andouille sausages cut into slices about 1/2"
2 TBSP tomato paste
2 cups chicken broth
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 inch cubes
rice and hot sauce for serving
salt and pepper
1/4 c water

In a large skillet heat oil and add flour. With a whisk move flour around the oil making a paste. Continue to stir til the flour becomes a light brown. Add veggies and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 4 minutes or until veggies become semi-soft.  Add tomato paste and sausage cooking for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and simmer for about 5 minutes. Add chicken and cook in broth on medium high heat til no longer pink. Add 1/4 cup water and stir in. Sometimes the gravy gets thick. I also add 10 dashes hot sauce at this time. Serve over white rice.

Zatarains Root beer Cupcakes (I made mine semi-homemade)
Makes 24 cupcakes
1 box yellow cake mix
1/4 tsp root beer extract (look for in a cake supply store)

Frosting (I changed mine from the Zatarains recipe)
1/2 package cream cheese softened
1 stick butter softened
1 lb confectioners sugar
1/4 c flour
1 tsp root beer extract

Pre-heat oven to 350. Make cupcakes per box directions mixing in the 1/4 tsp of root beer extract. Use cupcake tins. It makes for easy clean up.

While the cupcakes are baking combine the cream cheese, stick of butter, confectioners sugar, and flour,  and beat til creamy with a electric mixer. Put mixture covered in the fridge til ready to frost.

Cool cupcakes on a wire rack and once cool frost with the frosting. Hide them from your family as they will be a big hit!