Cajun Thanksgiving
Kick up your Thanksgiving with this Cajun-style feast! Feeling bound to traditional holiday food fare? Then use this spicy menu for a gathering of family or friends who are looking to enjoy a hot food adventure any time of the year!
Make It Special!
- Music is a must. Set the scene with borrowed or purchased Cajun music. If live music is available, go for it!
- Spice up your dinner table.
- Adorn the dinner table with miniature lights and colorful strings of beads and ribbons woven and wound around pumpkins and squash. Look for both at party, craft or discount stores.
- Jazz up place settings by coiling prestrung beads around napkins.
- Punctuate fall colors with metallics. Shop tag sales and outlets for bargain-priced table (or even bed) linens. Remember, they don't have to match!
- Make a serving tray by using a tag-sale gold picture frame. Screw on handles so it can be easily carried. Place decorative ribbons or colorful napkins inside the frame in random fashion.
- Perk up Cranberry Sauce by spooning it into stemware tied with ribbons. Sprinkle the sauce with orange peel curls, chopped toasted pecans or sliced jalapeños.
Preparation Guide
Up to 1 Month Before
- Make Bread Machine Jalapeño Corn Bread; store tightly wrapped in freezer.
- Make Hot and Spicy Peanuts.
2 Days Before
- Make Cranberry Sauce; store covered in refrigerator.
The Day Before
- Bake Sweet Potato Pie with Cornmeal Pastry; refrigerate.
- Make Family-Favorite Macaroni and Cheese; cover assembled unbaked casserole and refrigerate.
- Cook brown rice for Cumin Confetti Rice; store covered in refrigerator.
- Prepare vegetables for Cajun Vegetables; store separately, tightly covered, in refrigerator. Rinse and drain black-eyed peas for Cajun Vegetables; store tightly covered in refrigerator.
- Wash and chop greens for Hot and Spicy Greens; store covered in refrigerator. Chop onion, seed and chop chili and grate gingerroot; cover and store each separately in refrigerator.
- Prepare turkey for marinating. Rub spice rub on turkey; inject the bird with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate.
About 1 Hour Before Serving Dinner
- Cook Cajun Deep-Fried Turkey.
About 45 Minutes Before Serving Dinner
- Bake macaroni and cheese.
About 15 Minutes Before Serving Dinner
- Finish cooking Cumin Confetti Rice.
- Cook Hot and Spicy Greens.