Mardi Gras!

[katharina]

Anyone else going to celebrate Mardi Gras this year? I will be making my Jambalaya and this time I'm ordering a King Cake from a New Orleans bakery. I can't wait! We have masks and beads and stuff from last year.

 

[alaine]

That sounds so awesome! I wasn't thinking of a Mardi Gras party, but now I want to have one. How do you make Jambalaya? Is it vegetarian? I cook a lot, but I usually go with Indian dishes because there are a lot of options for vegetarians.

Jambalya sounds like it may be meat based. I could use a vegetarian substitute, though. Any suggestions?

 

[katharina]

How do you make Jambalaya? Is it vegetarian? I cook a lot, but I usually go with Indian dishes because there are a lot of options for vegetarians.

Definitely not vegetarian, no. In fact, there's more meat than most dishes have because it uses a choice of chicken, pork, ham, shrimp, and sausage. I usually use at least two of the meats. I really can't think of how you'd substitute anything to make it vegetarian unless that soy based meat-like product would work.

Besides that, there's onion, olive oil, garlic powder, a few spices, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and lots of rice. And hot sauce.

 

[katharina]

Jambalya sounds like it may be meat based. I could use a vegetarian substitute, though. Any suggestions?

What did you choose to have for your Mardi Gras party, Alaine? I ordered our King Cake from a bakery in New Orleans yesterday and it will be delivered on Tuesday.

For my Jambalaya I choose chicken and ham this time. Can't wait to party!

 

[Taggart]

I make a dish that I call Jambalaya, but I'm not sure how far it varies from the real thing. I steam brown rice then add diced onions, chicken stock, sliced hot sausage, shredded chicken breast, shrimp and then I season with chili powder.

We like it...

 

[katharina]

I make a dish that I call Jambalaya, but I'm not sure how far it varies from the real thing. I steam brown rice then add diced onions, chicken stock, sliced hot sausage, shredded chicken breast, shrimp and then I season with chili powder.

Well that would be Jambalaya alright. All mine has in addition to yours is some herbs, stewed tomatoes (chopped/processed fine), and a small can of tomato sauce.

Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday... can't wait for this meal! And my King Cake is supposed to arrive overnight FedEx tomorrow, too. Ummmm!

 

[SageMother]

A friend of mine tries to talk me into going every single year, and I refuse, every single year.

There's something about all of those people in one area that makes me incredibly nervous.

 

[heretoday]

I am wondering about the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans; after Katrina, are they still able to have as large a parade or party? I hope so.

 

[heretoday]

Anyone else going to celebrate Mardi Gras this year? I will be making my Jambalaya and this time I'm ordering a King Cake from a New Orleans bakery. I can't wait! We have masks and beads and stuff from last year.

I never had Jambalaya when I was a meat-eater, so it sounds I've missed out on an interesting dish.
My father-in-law lived in Louisiana as a child, and on New Years Day he always made black eyed peas. That was supposed to bring good luck and money in the new year.
As to the King Cake, isn't there a little charm baked into the cake? Any idea why they call it King Cake?

 

[Taggart]

I'm unfamiliar with a King Cake. What is it like?

Also I love the idea of Mardi Gras, but would you ever be a little uncomfortable at times in such a "colorful" area with so many strangers in masks?