Mardi Gras Season Kick Off

MardiGras.com

While waiting in line this afternoon at the post office downtown, a woman carrying a basket walked in and announced that she had pieces of King Cake to giveaway. I wasn't expecting the Mardi Gras season to begin so soon. Around town, some people wait to take their Christmas trees down at the end of Twelfth Night. Other people like to keep their trees up and switch to green, gold and purple Mardi Gras ornaments and decorations. Did you know Mobile, Al., celebrated the first Mardi Gras in the U.S.? Yes, and it dates back to 1703.


By the way, that piece of King Cake was so delicious. Just one little piece had me wanting more and looking at King Cake recipes online at www.foodnetwork.com. 

                            Sandra Lee's King Cake: www.foodnetwork.com

I spotted Sandra Lee's and Emeril Lagasse's four-star King Cake recipes. Next I went to www.emeril.com, the renowned chef from New Orlean's blog, where he posted his instructions for Kid Made Easy King Cup Cakes. Using a box of yellow cake mix, some green, yellow and purple food dyed icing, voila--a super easy Mardi Gras treat. Oh, you can't forget the little plastic baby that has to be put inside the cup cake after it comes out of the oven. Make sure you tell everybody to take it out before they take their first bite. 
As we like to say, laissez les bon temps rouler.