Can I get a big TGIF. I’m ready for the weekend and it’s supposed to be a nice, sunny weekend in “sunny” San Diego.
The last few weekends were rainy but this one is supposed to be clear as a bell with temps in the high 60s or low 70s. I’ll take that, yes please, don’t mind if I do.
There’s a pre-Mardi Gras street party and one-day festival in our neighborhood that may be fun to attend for the spectacular people-watching component alone. I’m sure the beads will be flying, the liquor will be flowing, and there will be lots of shirtless men.
If I were throwing a Mardi Gras party, I’d choose food with rich Cajun, Creole, Caribbean or bold seasonings, and I’d wash it down with fun drinks, and liquor-laden desserts, to boot. May as well live it up!
Recipes I’d consider including are:
Drinks
Appetizers
Spinach & Artichoke Dip (Fat Free, Vegan)
Sweet Corn Salsa with Mango, Lime, Red Pepper
Rosemary Chipotle Roasted Almonds
Sides & Mains
Caribbean Citrus Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Spicy Baked Black Beans with Mixed Vegetables
Caribbean Coconut Rice with Garbanzos & Veggies
Chipotle Salsa Lentils with Mixed Vegetables
Mango Balsamic Rice, Beans, & Mixed Vegetables
Pan Seared Lemon Pepper Grouper with Sweet Dipping Sauce
Desserts
Dark Rum Caramel Sauce for dipping fruit, crackers, or over ice cream
Dark Rum Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Banana Crepes (Raw, Vegan, GF)
White Chocolate Vanilla Peanut Butter Puppy Chow (GF)
The winners of the Peanut Butter Cheerios Giveaway are:
Jenny@vegetarianhatesvegetables and Angela / Canned Time
Are you celebrating Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) in any way?
I am not throwing any parties nor are we going out. Similar to the Superbowl, it’s a nice thought to throw a party; and like Valentine’s Day, it’s fun to think about going out for a half of a second until we remember we have a five year old and it’s a school night. We’ll be staying in, and not co-mingling with the party-goers, drinkers, and night-out-on-the-town folks (even though we’ll be able to hear the screaming and craziness from the street below).
Have you ever been to any Mardi Gras parties? Either in New Orleans or in another city?
I have never been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans although I’ve heard it’s chaos and drunken revelry at it’s finest. The closest thing I surmise that I’ve been to that’s similar to Mardi Gras was Halloween in the Castro about eight years ago. Nothing like 100,000 drunk people, in Halloween costumes, i.e. hardly any “costumes” or clothes at all, in San Francisco, in very close quarters. Pretty much widespread pandemonium. Fun memories but not something I have any interest in repeating in my current old lady stage stage of life.
Enjoy your weekend!
The rice dishes look fabulous- adding to my repetoire and the puppy chow…mmm, mmm, good. Can you tell I love peanut butter and white chocolate- together or seperate.
I love peanut butter and white chocolate- together or separate. = YES me too!
Great round up of recipes — love that dark rum caramel sauce. Want it :D
I want your photography props. Let’s trade :)
I’m so happy I checked this! I don’t celebrate mardi gras, but that Caribbean coconut rice looks fabulous! I am so happy I found it!
that rice is so good…I don’t even love/like rice, and I loved that!
TGIF indeed! Great recipe inspiration too. No plans for Mardi Gras here, I have been to celebrations in the past while living in Florida.
I bet the Fla celebrations got pretty crazy, too :)
That caribbean coconut rice looks really good! I just made a Cajun jambalaya that is similar to that today, but I had no idea Mardi Gras was coming up! Thanks again!
that rice is so good…I don’t even love/like rice, and I loved that! Your jambalaya sounds fab!!!
my husband is currently at mardi gras for a bachelor party. heaven help me… and him!
That means that you need to go to the Mag Mile and proceed directly to LV, Gucci, 900 N Michigan, and the BHPhoto.com
That’s what girls deserve when staying home while their hubs are in Vegas on shenanigans :)
Throw the party!! That food is SOOO enticing and here in Sydney where its just before breakfast time… my tummy is rumbling for some of those delicious goodies…. Thanks for sharing xo
I wish it wasn’t on Tues nite or I may consider it :)
Uh yeah that spin dip? MY FACE WANTS IT.
Hope you have a blissful weekend. I don’t normally celebrate mardi gras, but like watching all the highlights on the news
Those look so delicious! I never celebrate it, even tho my sister lived in New Orleans for 2 years.
Looks like that will be a blast with all those delicious treats! No, I won’t be celebrating, but I might have to make one of those amazing dishes. yum!
Thanks..I only wish I was having a party :)
We won’t be doing anything special for Mardi Gras either. I’ve never been to a Mardi Gras party but I do think it’d be really fun to get down to New Orleans while it’s going on!
I saw Michelle/BrownEye just link up those fudge stripe cookies of yours that Ive been thinking of all week…oh, I want THOSE. And a girls trip to NOLA!
Our neighbors are having a party, but I don’t think we’re going to make it :( – we already have dinner plans for that night. I’ve never actually celebrated Mardi Gras. I’d come for this feast though! Especially for the almonds and rice!
Have fun at your dinner..sounds better than hanging out in a bar with drunks. As a mom, I’m sure you can relate :)
I am enjoying the re-caps of some of your savory recipes. The lemon pepper grouper looks soooo nice (you put a great sear on that fish) and I think it would go well with the mango balsamic rice and veg. Dinner decision solved–thanks!! No Mardi Gras festivities for me either. Always sounds fun in theory but I like my peace and quiet.
That grouper I made in Aruba a year or two? ago. I didnt check the post date but they have *the best* grouper down there. Omg. It was worth every hot, sweaty, un-airconditioned kitchen second. And the mango balsamic rice..super good. Glad you like my vintage linkbacks :)
Definitely trying that spinach and artichoke dip, looks amazing!
It’s so easy girl. 5 mins in a bowl, stir, done.
And I would totally crash your Mardi Gras bash!! ;-) We’re not celebrating. We never do. I guess I never pay much attention to it actually.