Monday, April 11, 2011

Laissez les bons temps rouler

One Big Pot...One Fabulous Neighborhood...50 pounds of live crawfish...Lots of Assorted Goodies...Beverages...Music...Children of All Ages...Toss with a huge dose of various cultures...A Good Time was had by All!


Trust me...she would rather play with the live crawfish, cooking and eating them held little appeal!


Sorry, my little pretty it is in the pot for you...my initiation into the JOYS of cooking crawfish...did I mention they are live when tossed  in the boiling water? 



"Try at least one"...a valiant effort was attempted and later a hasty retreat to the nearest trashcan!


Bargaining for ice cream...how many???


Playtime...



Our top o the hill neighbors, she originally hailing from Louisiana and he of Tunisia host this annual event.  My ever so helpful neighbor D showed me how to twist the tail off the body, suck the head and proceed to pry a teeny tiny bit of meat from the tail.  To be a good sport I attempted sucking the juice one time after which I ate a few more...I am not really the squeamish type however the already prepared shrimp and grits and other goodies beckoned me! 

We have lived in our neighborhood since 1991.  Neighbors have come and gone...at one time we knew everyone on two streets...now, not so much.  It was a pleasure and delight to meet the newbies!  The parents of the children I see walking dogs, riding bikes or passing in cars.  Once predominately good ole Southern boys and girls...now a melting pot of diversity...I LOVE it!  Many continents and countries were represented...an afternoon, late into the night celebration of friendship...perhaps the world leaders could take note...break bread, come together in fellowship...celebrate our diversity!

I baked a cake and made the following salad which can be used as a side dish, topping or dip.

Black Bean and Corn Salad/Salsa
4 - 6 tomatoes chopped small
1/2 large red onion, diced
choice of sweet peppers, red, yellow etc., hotter varieties may be included as well, about 1 - 1 1/2 cups
1 package of white shoe peg corn thawed (small bag)
1 can black beans, rinsed
2 avocadoes, diced

 mix all diced, chopped ingredients and toss with lime cilantro dressing

Lime Cilantro Dressing:
juice from two limes, zest a little of the skin as well
1/8 teaspoon cumin (or more if you like lots)
handful of chopped, fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or more to taste, if too acidic)
salt and pepper to taste

Makes enough for a huge crowd and it is a crowd pleaser!  I prepared this for the crawfish boil on Saturday and again on Sunday for our family get together. 

"Let the Good Times Roll"




4 comments:

Anonymous said...

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Forgive me Connie. I just typed the most thoughtful and eloquent comment ever - which was just deleted by BLOGGER. b/c i wasn't signed into the daily dish. Can you please slap it upside the head for me??

K? THANKS!

Loved this post - wish I could have been w/ you enjoying the fine folks & food. Lots of love XO

Jayne said...

Sounds like so much fun! A couple of years ago, we invited neighbors from about ten of the surrounding houses to come over for a Christmas drop-in, and although it was a lot of work, I think everyone enjoyed it. Now whenever I walk up the street, I feel a little closer to the folks who live in the various houses.

Relyn Lawson said...

What a wonderful time! That second picture is killing me - it's so very precious!

SE'LAH... said...

hilarious - love this post!

hope you are doing well. one love.

p.s. thanks for your postcard to Mrs. H's class...she loved your quote.