Red Beans & Rice are my dead favorite, with jambalaya coming in almost neck to neck. But you have to have po'boysl

I second this.

For a fun and interesting party game, you could have people flash for beads.

Or perhaps not.

Where I teach. ;) His choice, which is good.

Yes! on the Southern Candymakers. Though pralines are very easy to make.

First batch - in the trash. Second batch - fending off husband and son from eating too many before the party tomorrow!

Final menu:

Muffaletta salad (Emeril Lagasse recipe -- delicious)
Jambalaya
Johnsonville "New Orleans" andouille sausage brats on the grill
Grapes and watermelon
Pralines
Beignets
Decorated SHEETCAKE
Virgin Hurricanes/with rum for the grown ups

And just to keep things interesting, we lost power last night when a bad storm came through. Turned on the generator this morning...it worked fine for 6-7 hours. While seemingly still running fine, no power is coming to the house. Power company estimates restoration at 4 pm tomorrow. Party starts at 6. At 3:30 today, it came back on and there was much rejoicing. An hour went by, and it just went out again....

Oh no! Here's hoping it comes back sooner rather than later!

It's back on! I hate to jinx it, but I think we're good...fingers crossed!

THe power loss made it more like NOLA!

Good point!

Thanks to all for your suggestions! The virgin hurricanes were a big hit (as was the spiked variety). The muffaletta salad was also very popular, with several recipe requests.

Odd coincidence -- we had a house corp board meeting today, and the president of our Loyola-New Orleans chapter stopped by the house to meet the members and get a tour (the house stays open for the first summer term for sisters taking classes). She's on campus for an ODK conference. She was quite excited to hear about the party I'd had the night before! And, I'll see her again at Convention next week!