Food Ideas for a Mardi Gras Party
Are you planning to hold a Mardi Gras party? Whether you're in one of the locations where Mardi Gras is celebrated with weeks of parades, masquerade balls, and other activities leading up to the main event on Fat Tuesday or if you just want to bring a little taste of Carnival to your home town, these great dishes are sure to be a hit with everyone who attends!
Appropriate for Mardi Gras Party Food Selections
Even though Mardi Gras is observed in many locations, both the largest celebration in the U.S. (New Orleans) and the birthplace of the parade traditions (Mobile, AL) are decidedly true southern Gulf Coast cities. With that in mind, the perfect menu for a Mardi Gras party includes a combination of Creole and southern cuisine, as well as a few selections that are traditions specific to Mardi Gras.
Seafood Gumbo: One of the best main course options for a party with a Mardi Gras them is a big pot of spicy seafood gumbo. If you're feeling adventurous, you may want to try to you’re your own wht this deliciosn recipe for Gulf Coast Seafood Gumbo. If you're not ready to try making gumbo from scratch, consider using a store-bought mix, such as the ones available from Zatarain's, Louisiana Fish Fry, or Tony Chachere's.
Jambalaya or Shrimp Creole: If you're looking for something appropriate to serve with – or instead of – gumbo, consider making a batch of tasty Jambalaya or Shrimp Creole. Both of these dishes are traditional Cajun favorites and are sure to be a hit with your guests. You'll find instructions for making both dishes at this hub. As with gumbo, store bought mixes are available if you're not quite ready to try your hand at making these dishes from scratch.
King Cake: No Mardi Gras party is complete without a King Cake. These circular cakes are drizzled with a sweet glaze and are typically decorated with sugar sprinkles or frosting in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold. A tiny plastic baby is hidden inside each cake, and the lucky reveler who gets the piece containing the trinket earns the dubious honor of being responsible for bringing the King Cake to the next party. During the Mardi Gras season, these types of cakes are available at many supermarkets and bakeries, and they can also be ordered from a variety of online retailers.
Moon Pie: This tasty concoction of candy coated cookies connected by a sweet Mardi Gras filling is something that anyone who's ever been to a Mobile, AL Mardi Gras parade is sure to recognize. Moon pies are one of the most popular parade throws in this southern town. They're such a part of the city's culture that the New Year is rung in each year with a giant, lit moon pie being lowered at midnight on December 31! Individually wrapped moon pies are a great sweet treat choice for any Mardi Gras themed celebration.