Did you know….. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday” and is a Christian holiday that marks the last day before Lent. Lent is a 40-day period of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter. Mardi Gras is celebrated with food, music, and parties.
Mardi Gras is celebrated in many countries around the world but the most fam
ous has to be New Orleans, where the biggest parade, the Mardi Gras parade, is held.
“Laissez les bons temps rouler (Let the good times roll) Loving referred to as “The Big Easy” Seeing that we can’t all make it to the Big Easy for Carnival, so I thought I would share some easy tips to throw your own Mardi Gras and surely they drive away those Winter Blues…
Mardi Gras Festivities
“Laissez les bons temps rouler (Let the good times roll)
Even if you don’t Speak French, you leave NOLA (New Orleans , LA) learning the most used word there…
Loving referred to as “The Big Easy”
Seeing that we can’t all make it to the Big Easy for Carnival, I thought I would share some easy tips to throw your own Mardi Gras that will take your mind off of the dreary Winter Weather.
First stop – Pat O’Brien‘s
They are most famous for the popular drink The Hurricane. They have invented the drink, and it has become synonymous with the city.
Hurricane
A hurricane is made with rum, passion fruit juice, orange juice, and grenadine. What would a trip to New Orleans LA without tasting the famous Pat O’Brien’s cocktail.
The Hurricane… and rightfully so, after a few too many of those you feel like you’ve been hit by a hurricane LOL
New Orleans food is some thing everyone should try, it is quite different than traditional faire. It is a bit on the spicy side be oh so tasty. The dish I am referring to is, Gumbo.
Gumbo is a blend of French, Spanish, African, and Native American cultures have blended over hundreds of years and evolved into a city-wide cultural phenomenon that’s impossible to replicate. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a try!
Andouille Sausage Gumbo
Attending a Cooking Show
While visiting Nola, I was fortunate enough to attend a Cooking Class held at Langlois Culinary Cooking School. I wanted to learn to cook Creole style. While attending this class we were being filmed for the Local lifestyle Show on TV. It was so much fun.
Taught by Expert (Owner) Chef Amy Sins. She taught us how to make Gumbo, as well as other dishes.
She taught us how to prepare:
- Andouille Sausage Gumbo
- Jambalaya
- Crawfish étouffée
I could not locate my pictures but the only thing I proudly display is my apron.
If you are ever visiting New Orleans, I highly recommend spending a couple of hours cooking and learning history. Oh and I forgot to mention how delicious the food is.
Cafe Du Monde
If you’re into desserts, then Cafe Du Moude’s is the place to go.
They are famous for Beignet’s and this is something even I like and I am not a Sweets eater.
These with a good cup of famous French coffee (strong) or a nice cup of tea….is a sweets eaters “Fantasy”.
King Cake
And lastly another tradition you will learn about while you are there, will be the traditional Mardi Gras like “King Cake”.
King cake is a type of cake that’s typically decorated with icing and colorful sprinkles, and is often filled with either cream cheese, jelly, or fruit. The cake is in the shape of a ring.
If you’re looking to make a King cake yourself, we’ve got a recipe for you.
HISTORY: The recipient is said to receive good fortune after finding this prize. That person is also supposed to host the next king cake party and, of course, take care of the next King Cake.
NOTE: If using a plastic baby, wait until the cake has baked before inserting it. Otherwise, it could melt from the heat of the oven.
If you so choose to order a King cake you can simply do that by clicking the link at the end of this article.
Well there is still time to pull together the old gang and have a @Home Mardi Gras Gathering . It is fun for the young as well as the old.
Share your party pictures with us after the festivities. Our readers love to get new and creative ideas from other readers.
Mardi Gras Festivities @ Home Kit
Thanks for joining us and being a part of The City Cottage Family. I love when we can visit.
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Until next time,
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