Mardi Gras is a wonderful time in New Orleans. The celebration last for weeks and ends with the wildest night on Fat Tuesday. The history of Mardi Gras dates back several centuries and is rich in traditions involving parades, music, food, and some classic alcoholic beverages. If you can’t make it to New Orleans yourself, there’s nothing better than celebrating at home with friends.
Enjoy Mardi Gras at Home
The world-famous Mardi Gras celebration is now going on in New Orleans. Mardi Gras which is French for “Fat Tuesday”, is a huge nonstop party that leads up to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Mardi Gras in New Orleans has a rich history that includes parades, music, and of course great food.
To learn more on Mardi Gras and its long history check out this from Wikipedia:
“The holiday of Mardi Gras is celebrated in Southern Louisiana, including the city of New Orleans. Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the start of lent in the Catholic tradition). Usually there is one major parade each day (weather permitting); many days have several large parades. The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the Mardi Gras season. In the final week, many events occur throughout New Orléans and surrounding communities, including parades and balls (some of them masquerade balls).”
Plan Your Mardi Gras Party
If you’re in the mood to celebrate Mardi Gras food and beverages without traveling, here’s some great ideas to cook and some drinks to enjoy. First up are the beverages found in New Orleans Official Guide:
The Infamous Hurricane
Traditional Hurricane Recipe:
- 2 oz light rum
- 1 oz orange juice
- 2 oz passion fruit juice
- 2 oz dark rum
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon simple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon grenadine
- Garnish: orange slice and cherry
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a Hurricane glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.
Creole Bloody Mary
- 1 cup vodka
- 4-1/2 cups chilled tomato juice
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4-6 dashes Tabasco hot sauce
- Celery salt and black pepper
For garnish: celery stalks and lime slices
Cooking Cajun Style
Now that you have the Mardi Gras beverages planned, here are two recipes to make for you and your friends. Both of them are New Orleans classics that you can make at home:
Jambalaya
- 1 red onion chopped
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 3 stalks of celery chopped
- 1 lb. medium 31-40 count raw shrimp
- 1 chicken breast cut up
- 2 cups water
- 1 lb. smoked or Andouille sausage cut up
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked white or brown rice
- 32 oz box of chicken broth
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons Frank’s hot sauce
- Season to taste with Cajun seasoning, Lawry’s, granulated garlic, black pepper, cayenne pepper (optional)
Use a large pot or stock pot. Sauté the seasonings with the red pepper, red onion, and celery in olive oil until they’re almost soft. Add the chicken breast and sausage, then simmer 10-15 minutes or until done. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and water then bring to a boil. Next add rice and hot sauce to pot, and then simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally while rice cooks. After 30 minutes, rice should have plumped up and absorbed the liquid. (Brown rice takes longer than white) If the jambalaya is too thin, add another 1/4 cup of rice and simmer 15-20 minutes. If the jambalaya is too thick, add some water or chicken stock. The shrimp gets added into the pot during last 5 minutes of cooking. Serve with favorite adult beverage, and enjoy!
Cajun Pasta
- 1 red onion cut into thin slices
- 1 red pepper cut into thin slices
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb. smoked or Andouille sausage cut up
- 1 lb. medium 31-40 count raw shrimp
- 1/4 lb. stick of butter
- 1 or 2 chicken breasts cut into slices
- Grated parmesan cheese
- 1 lb. package of your favorite pasta (penne or angel hair work best)
- Season to taste with Cajun seasoning, Lawry’s, granulated garlic, black pepper, cayenne pepper (optional)
Use a stock pot or large skillet. Sauté the red pepper and red onion with seasonings in olive oil until they’re almost soft. Add the chicken breast and sausage, then simmer 10-15 minutes or until cooked through. Add in the shrimp and simmer until done. Cut the stick of butter up and add it into the pot, then turn the heat down to low. Follow the directions for the pasta you chose and drain when finished. Once the pasta is drained, add it into the pot. Toss everything gently until it is covered with the melted butter and juices. Sprinkle grated parmesan as you toss the pasta. Serve with a New Orleans style hurricane and enjoy!
“Laissez les bons temps rouler!” = “Let The Good Times Roll!”
Those were some easy recipes for a Mardi Gras in New Orleans themed party at home. Take your time as you cook and enjoy the fantastic flavors of Mardi Gras with your friends! They will appreciate your efforts to bring New Orleans to the party.
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