Mardi Gras is a month away–March 1 this year–and since I have to order a few things from the States to be ready, I’m already thinking about how we’ll celebrate this year.
I grew up with the tradition of observing the day before Ash Wednesday as Shrove Tuesday, and we always went to a pancake supper at our church. Some years we would make pancakes or crepes at home (read more about Shrove Tuesday here).
In recent years we’ve pressed my husband into service on this day to make his amazing gumbo recipe as a nod to Mardi Gras (Brontë is already wearing her beads). Since it takes awhile to make a perfect gumbo, it’s a perfect dish to make ahead of time.
Mardi Gras Menu
- Chicken and Smoked Sausage Gumbo (recipe here); my husband uses this recipe for an easy oven roux and freezes the second cup if he’s not doubling the gumbo recipe. He also uses cajun seasoning instead of mixing up the “rustic rub” mentioned in the recipe. Serve over white rice.
- Beer (look for Abita if you want a New Orleans brand). Just FYI, I’m contemplating giving up alcohol for Lent again which seems like quite a sacrifice…but I guess the whole point is sacrifice! Giving up social media, which I’m also doing, seems more like a gift to myself than a sacrifice.
- King Cake (you can buy one at almost any supermarket or bakery, or try your hand at making your own with this recipe or this mix).
If you need something faster and easier, Amanda at Dixie Delights shared her jambalaya recipe that you can make in an instant pot. Or, try this premade jambalaya mix.
Here in Germany, Karneval season is also called Fasching, but I think they’re cancelling everything again this year. Boo!
That’s it! Or, of course, you can always whip up a yummy batch of pancakes instead. Either way, now you can plan for a wonderful Shrove Tuesday/Fat Tuesday. And if you’ve decided what you’re giving up, let me know in the comments below.
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