Get in the Mardi Gras Spirit with These Fat-tastic Recipes
Feast like you mean it.
marcus nilsson, Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop stylist: Robyn Glaser
Among other things, Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday is a cheat day to beat all cheat days. So whether you’re actually planning to fast for Lent or just want some festive comfort food to ward away the winter blues, put away your calorie counter and take in some of these deliciously fatty (defined here as all things buttery, fried and sweet) Mardi Gras-inspired foods for dinner and dessert.
This hearty stew has everything we love about Cajun cuisine, from a rich roux and "holy trinity" base to smoky andouille sausage and shellfish.
Charles Masters
Sometimes the answer to our cravings is as simple as a sandwich, or a NOLA po' boy with boldy-flavored Cajun seasoning on shrimp and hot mayo spread.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
With a generous helping of heavy cream and roux-based gravy, Tyler Florence's 5-star recipe skimps on nothing.
Warm up your deep-fryer and your tastebuds with these jalapeno and cheddar-filled bites.
Rob Pryce
Of course, it isn’t Mardi Gras without a colorful king cake. Go classic with a yeasty dough and cream cheese filling for Valerie Bertinelli's recipe (or use crescent roll dough for a shortcut version in 8 easy steps).
Add a boozy boost to the end of your meal with frosty, bourbon-laced milkshake, perfect for washing down bites of king cake.
Lisa Shin , Lisa Shin Photography, Inc.
Or, combine cake and cocktail into one drinkable delight with this king cake-inspired cocktail.
Jessica Brooks
However you pronounce the name of this dish (pee-can pray-leen or pu-cahn praw-leen) we can all agree that homemade pecan pralines are a praiseworthy dessert treat.
Matt Armendariz
And finally, take some inspiration from across the pond – where Shrove Tuesday is celebrated with pancakes – and make yourself a healthy (as in filling, not healthy) stack of flapjacks, stuffed with Nutella.
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