FAMILY DINER NIGHT

 HELLO  LOVES....
it's Saturday and a family dinner party has been planned
here at Estelle's and on the menu for the gathering is
a spicy Cajun Jambalaya and Banana Pudding....
so we have a full day of preparation underway...

I wanted the tablesetting to be colorful, yet casual

I decided on Banana Pudding since it's one of my son's favorites.....
the kind with pudding mix, sour cream and cool whip...

Done..now it can just chill in the fridge until we are ready for
this creamy and delicious sweet ending....

Now, believe it or not....
this is my very first attempt at making a good jambalaya...
it is quite a process....
lots of veggies , along with roasted chicken, andouille and fresh shrimp

And, my darling little Lucy was keeping me company
as I was pretending to be a chef in the kitchen....
I started the homemade stock before the chopping of all the
vegetables was underway....
I allowed the vegetables to simmer most of the day
in my favorite stockpot in order for all the herbs
and spices to marry and become deeper and richer in flavor....

I kept the appetizers light in order for everyone
to enjoy the aroma and come to the table hungry

Cajun Jambalaya is a little of alot of ingredients....
peppers, onions, okra, tomatoes, celery, garlic and lots of spices....
it was often called a peasant soup.....little bit of everything...

and now for happy faces.....family..
cocktails and conversations.....

Often times. you mix the rice into the soup,
but I prefer serving the soup OVER the rice.....
and it was HUGE hit....
people went back for seconds....
oh yes, served with hot french bread!

It was a cold, rainy evening and this was the perfect dinner
to enjoy a family gathering....

Normally,  I would serve a Bread Pudding,
but this dessert was a cool and creamy option....

Our sweet Otis enjoyed a bit of french bread....
It's a good thing to bring family together
in order to catch up and enjoy good food and pleasant conversation...
y'all have a good week...