Well, friends, Mardi Gras is upon us once more. And as Fat Tuesday itself isn’t always conducive to a big party, what with it being in the middle of the workweek and such, LeeLee and I often enjoy hosting a gathering the weekend prior to the big day. That was in fact the case last night, and much merriment was made!
Eating traditional Creole fare. Drinking our favorite Louisiana-based beers. Searching for the golden baby within the layers of a King Cake. Listening to zydeco music. And, finally, playing a rousing hand (or 50) of Cards Against Humanity. What more could one ask for with good friends on a cold night far north of New Orleans?
As is traditional around our household, this Mardi Gras we enjoyed a heaping helping of vegan jambalaya – using this recipe as a base (and using vegan versions of the chorizo and chicken) – as well as a wonderful salad our friends brought over. A loaf of garlic bread rounded out the main course! I made the jambalaya in my trusty Le Creuset, which added additional flair to the entrée, and we chowed down to our hearts’ content. The blend of spices and spiciness left us all wanting a second helping! And even after that, we had plenty left over for lunch today.
But the piece de resistance was yet to come: the King Cake!
Every year, LeeLee and I order a delicious King Cake from Gambino’s Bakery down in New Orleans, and it’s always the star of the show. Generally, we all must eat several pieces each in order to even have a shot at finding the ceremonial baby during the party. But last night we got lucky! Using the knife as a divining rod, I cut a slice for myself (we each cut our own, so as to avoid conflict about the baby), one outlined in green sprinkles, and when I began to eat, immediately my fork hit something hard. Gasp! Could it be? Could it possibly be … the baby?
Yes! Yes, friends, it was. There was much whooping and carrying-on from all in attendance, primarily at the relief that none of us would have to eat a half-dozen slices that evening in our quest for the prize. This was the first time in all our years of Mardi Gras parties that someone got the baby on the first piece of cake! It was an honor, indeed.
And with that – and all the Blackened Voodoo and Abita that accompanied the meal – another Mardi Gras festival is in the books. I wish our very best to our brethren down South – may you enjoy the parades and all the parties that go with them! Happy Mardi Gras!
:)