Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras in New Orleans marks the end of the carnival season.  Michigan's "Fat Tuesday" celebrations focus on paczki, which are fine, but a glorified donut can't really compete with Cajun and Creole cooking from Louisiana.

While it's impossible to replicate the French Quarter or the Carnival parades, the cooking is easier to recreate.  My recipes to celebrate Mardi Gras include: Jamabalaya, Red Beans & Rice, and Pecan Pie.

No time to cook?  You can pick up some spicy fried chicken at Popeyes (the Battle Creek store is the closest one to Kalamazoo) and some Abita beer (a tasty craft beer brewed outside New Orleans that's available at World Market, Meijers and other retailers.)