A Send-off for Santa

This South Louisiana family invites friends over on Christmas Eveto help bid bon voyage to Santa before he sets out to spread cheeraround the globe. They keep the gathering simple with Cajun-inspiredfare, serving gumbo and muffulettas buffet style with plenty of cookies.Try this new tradition, and your party will be the most popular of the season.

Chicken-Tasso-Andouille Sausage Gumbo

Instead of bowls, offer guests festive mugs of Chicken-Tasso-Andouille Sausage Gumbo, as pictured, or Shrimp-Tasso-Andouille Sausage Gumbo.

Filé Powder
When gumbo is served in Louisiana, filé powder (ground, dried sassafras leaves) is as common on the table as salt and pepper. It thickens and flavors gumbos and other Creole dishes.

Easy Mini Muffulettas

Assembled in just 15 minutes and made with purchased Italian olive salad, Easy Mini Muffulettas is a breeze to prepare.

Rudolph's Christmas Sugar Cookies

Making Rudolph's Christmas Sugar Cookies - Pinch opposite sides of each dough slice about two-thirds of the way down to shape the reindeer's face.

"A Send-off for Santa" is from the November 2007 issue of Southern Living.