Fat Tuesday Foods

Mardi Gras Party Food Fit For A King

What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think of Mardi Gras?  Is it the costumes?  Perhaps it's the masks or the beads.  Or, it could be the parade with all the crazy floats.  Of course, all those things are important, but there is another part to this event that is just as important... the FOOD!  

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) has been celebrated for centuries in some form or other.  This last day before Lent begins is a time to pull out all the stops.  With deep roots in the Creole and Cajun regions of the South, it's no wonder that Mardi Gras cooking reflects these flavors and styles.  Let's take a look at what might be on the menu at a Mardi Gras party.

King Cakes - These simple cakes similar to a cinnamon roll are often made in a circular form, twisted or braided like a brioche, but you can actually find them in a variety of shapes and sizes.  The icing is traditionally a mixture of purple, yellow, and green to go along with the Mardi Gras colors.  They can be served plain or filled with cream cheese, praline, or fruit filling.  You will usually find the cakes are embellished with trinkets, especially a little baby doll symbolizing the baby Jesus and blessings for the future.

Seafood - You will often see a variety of fresh seafood at Mardi Gras celebrations given the location of this yearly event.  Because seafood is plentiful along the Gulf Coast, you'll find an abundance of dishes featuring crab, shrimp, oysters, and crawfish.  Many restaurants feature crawfish boils this time of year.  You may even want to give one a try in your own backyard.

Gumbo - This dish is a traditional Southern creation that can be made in a variety of ways.  You can add shrimp, fish, chicken, sausage, ham, pork, crab, or oysters.  Or, you can add it all!  Gumbo is traditionally a thick soup made of anything and everything you can get your hands on.  And, because people in this region had access to seafood, this dish often contained a variety of seafood.  Also, okra was found growing everywhere, so it, too, became a standard ingredient.  Okra thickens the gumbo, but you can use a File powder instead if you wish.

Jambalaya - Like gumbo, there are many variations on how this dish can be made.  A classic recipe includes smoked sausage, green peppers and ham, however you can make whatever combination you choose.  This is a rice dish, unlike gumbo which is mainly a thick soup served with just a dollop of rice if desired.

Pancakes - Party-goers enjoy indulging in a hearty plate filled with pancakes or crepes heaped or rolled up with a variety of ingredients.  Pancakes are perfectly acceptable, but crepes can be a lot of fun.  They aren't hard to make, but either will do.  Be sure to have a big tray of pancakes or crepes out about an hour or two before your party breaks up, and have steaming hot cups of dark chicory coffee ready with heavy cream and cinnamon.  This is the perfect closing to a Mardi Gras party.

Mardi Gras is a great time to explore a wide variety of appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks.  The foods listed above capture a small part of what this celebration is all about.  Gather your recipes and start planning!