Mardi Gras! Do you Celebrate?
Mardi Gras is just around the corner. How do you celebrate Mardis Gras?
Mardi Gras can be traced back to the 17th and 18th centuries, most people I know immediately think of New Orleans. It is thought that the first Mardis Gras (held in North America) may have been March 3, 1699, when French-Canadian explorers landed near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana. Approximately ten years later, the first recorded New Orleans Mardis Gras parade took place, a tradition that continues to this day that I have yet to make, but it is on my list!
Here on the homefront, I try to have a small celebration at home with food and a few decorations. GREEN, PURPLE, and GOLD! Throw a few beads on the table, a colorful table setting, and don't forget glitter or confetti (although it is a bit messy) Hey, it's Mardi Gras!
The menu will be a few cajun inspired foods and a King Cake. This year I have decided to do a Galette des Rois cake rather than a Mardi Gras King Cake. The difference you ask? The Galette des Rois has a creme-almond filling and uses puff pastry. The Mardi Gras King Cake is more like a yeast cake with cinnamon-brown sugar-pecan filling. They are both amazing! They both have a hidden treasure or "the baby" in the cake. Originally, the baby represented the baby Jesus. With the evolution of Mardi Gras and the meanings associated with its celebration, "the baby" can symbolize luck and prosperity. So, the lucky person to find the prize in their slice of cake, without cracking a tooth or choking to death, is the winner! Some traditions say the "winner" is king or queen for the day and gets to wear a crown for the day. Oh, the drama that would cause in my house! Other traditions include the "winner" bringing next year's cake to the party, or for that matter hosting next year's party. I think the prize can be whatever you would like. This year at my house, I think the winner will not have to help clean up dinner dishes! That sounds like a WIN to me.
In honor of this Celebration, Gabbie + Co. is offering Mardi Gras Shirts for $16.99 (in honor of the first held Mardi Gras in the Lousianna area, 1699, get it?!), So, order your T-Shirt today as the quantities are limited.
However you celebrate Mardi Gras, ENJOY and as the French say during this time "Laissez les bons temps rouler" or "Let the good times roll!"