Mardi Gras Favorites

Mardi Gras. Shrove Tuesday. Carnival.  Any way you say it, the meaning of this day is known across the world.

It's a time for dancing, tossing beads, and enjoying great music. It's a day for indulging in Paczki (poonch – KEY), King Cake, pancakes, and other delicious foods.

But why?  Well, I'll give you the ultra-short version. In Medieval times, rich foods, like butter, eggs, and cream, a.k.a. fats, were considered off limits during Lent,   the weeks preceding the celebration of Easter. Therefore, traditionally, Fat Tuesday (or Shrove Tuesday) is the the day when devout Christian households purge their homes of the indulgent, fattening foods that might be forbidden during their Lenten observations.

And that, my friends, is why Mardi Gras food is so amazingly delicious!  And it also explains why we're so adept at celebrating it here in Wisconsin.  After all, ours is a state that's ever-overflowing with butter, eggs, and cream!

So, in celebration of Fat Tuesday, we're cleaning out our cupboards and hauling out a few of our favorite Mardi Gras recipes.  Feel free to gawk, drool, and enjoy them.  After all, it's Mardi Gras!

Langostinos with Caramelized Onion & Parmesan Grits

Jambalaya (made with barley)

Milwaukee Creole:  Barbequed Shrimp

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

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