Laissez les bons temps rouler. . .BABY!!!

Mardi Gras has been in full swing these past weeks- with no shortage of exuberant parades, ridiculous floats, colorful beads, delicious foods, upbeat music, celebrity sightings, and a whole lot of fun...
Here's a quick recap of the craziness that has ensued...

LOTS of clowns, flowers, elves, centurions, and scantily clad individuals in, on, and around  the streets

Mardi Gras Krewe of Endymion 

This black-tie ball was the first major event at the Superdome since the Super Bowl Blackout. The glitzy parade included a performance by Kelly Clarkson, and a 365-foot, nine-part mega-float. The largest Mardi Gras float ever!! In fact, it had to be separated into 2 parts to navigate through the streets. 

Today is of course the highly anticipated Fat Tuesday. You know, the last day to indulge (or shall I say OVERindulge) before Ash Wednesday and LENT. In a city known for its' indulgence, it will not be difficult to do tomorrow on Bourbon Street. We know there will be a plethora of traditional foods such as shrimp jambalaya, spicy cajun shrimp (or spicy cajun anything for that matter), New Orleans pralines, and of course Mardi Gras King's Cake. If you're not at the coveted celebration... invite some friends over and bring NOLA to YOUR home.

Here are some delicious Mardi Gras inspired food and drink recipes and some entertaining ideas to keep the celebration alive in the comfort of your own home...

Easy Jambalaya Recipe 

 

Ingredients:

1 cup onion, finely chopped

1 cup celery, finely chopped

1 carrot, finely chopped

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups diced ham

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

1 small can tomato sauce

1 large can diced tomatoes

2 bay leaves

1 pound uncooked, shelled shrimp

1 cup quick-cook rice

What to do:

1. Use a large pot over medium high heat and add the olive oil. Sauté onion, celery, carrot until they're soft. 

2. Along with one cup of water add the diced ham, cayenne pepper, chili powder, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and bay leaves. Simmer for about 15 minutes and then at the rice. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes. 

3. Add the shrimp and cook until it turns pink, about 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaves. Serve HOT!

And for dessert... King Cake with Cream Cheese Cinnamon Filling (YUM!)

Ingredients: 

2 (8-ounce) cans reduced-fat crescent rolls

4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese

2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup light brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the Icing: 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1-2 tablespoons skim milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pink, Lime green, Light blue food colorings

What to do:

1. Preheat oven 350°F. Coat 10-inch round pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Separate crescent rolls at perforations, into 16 slices. Place slices around prepared pan with points in center. About halfway down from points, press seams together.

3. In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Spread on dough in center where seams have been pressed together.

4. In another small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over cream cheese. Fold dough points over filling, then fold bottom of triangle over points forming a circular roll like a king cake.

5. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly, drizzle with colored Mardi Gras Icing.

For the icing: 

1. In small bowl, combine all ingredients, except food color. Divide mixture into three bowls.

2. In first bowl, add a few drops of pink food coloring. In second bowl, add a few drops of green food coloring. In third bowl, add equal amounts of drops of blue food coloring (to create purple).

3. Drizzle over baked cake.

And we can't forget about a New Orleans Hurricane to wash it down...

In a shaker combine

 1/2 cup of ice, 

2 fluid ounces of light rum

2 fluid ounces of passion fruit flavored syrup

1 cup of Sprite

 1 ounce of lime juice. 

Pour into a large glass and float some 151 proof rum on top for an extra kick!

Party Ideas:

- Colors- Purple, Green, and Gold

- Beads!!! Throw them everywhere.... but get creative as well. Drape them over drinks.

- Spanish Moss- it is synonymous with NOLA- use it around the room, for centerpieces, anywhere!

We hope your Fat Tuesday is fabulous and INDULGENT. We know ours will be! And if you would like to watch the parades they will be streaming live at: http://www.nola.com/paradecam/

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