| Mardi Gras is a unique time of the year down in Cajun | | | | relationship between the cuisines). |
| Country. Even if you don't live down in New Orleans | | | | Spices are prevalent in these dishes for much the |
| you can still celebrate in the proceedings associated | | | | same reason that rice is. They have traditionally been |
| with Mardi Gras by throwing a grand old meal worthy | | | | an inexpensive method of seasoning dishes that would |
| of King Rex himself. | | | | otherwise be quite bland. Expect to find plenty of |
| The trick about bringing Mardi Gras to the Midwest or | | | | spices and some heat in most traditional Cajun dishes |
| wherever you may be, is to always have the frame | | | | all over the city. Some restaurants that cater to |
| of mind that makes Mardi Gras such fun and an | | | | tourists have slightly watered down versions of local |
| enjoyable event for people from all over the world. If | | | | favorites. |
| that doesn't work a bowl or two of gumbo topped off | | | | If you want to try something with a little less fire, a |
| with some Mardi Gras music should do the trick quite | | | | po-boy or muffaletta might be what you are looking |
| nicely. | | | | for. These sandwiches are more than a little deceiving |
| Honestly though, part of the appeal and intrigue of | | | | in appearance because they are very filling. French |
| Mardi Gras and the city of New Orleans is the food | | | | fries are still a Cajun favorite, although we also have a |
| that has made this city almost as famous as its ability | | | | popular dish called fried sweet potatoes. |
| to party. If you are wondering what to cook to bring | | | | You can find recipes for all of these online quite easily |
| the spirit of Mardi Gras into your home, try any of the | | | | though you will probably have trouble finding the ideal |
| traditional favorites. If ingredients prove tricky to come | | | | bread for a po boy anywhere outside the Crescent |
| by you might want to add a little rice, a little spice, and | | | | City. There is a unique "chewiness" to the flawless po |
| a lot of hot sauces to your favorite family meal. | | | | boy bread that may be imitated elsewhere but not |
| Those who live in New Orleans often use rice to | | | | equaled anywhere in the country. |
| stretch the budget. Rice is filling and is cost effective. | | | | For the perfect finish to your Cajun meal you should |
| This makes rice a great foundation of a meal for | | | | make a point of getting some chicory coffee. This is |
| many of the families of New Orleans many of whom | | | | easily done via the Cafe du Monde website if your |
| have been quite poor traditionally. | | | | local coffee shop doesn't have any. Historically, chicory |
| Rice is used in all manner of dishes from gumbo to red | | | | was added to coffee and often used instead of |
| beans and jambalaya and many dishes in between. It | | | | coffee because it was much cheaper. |
| is almost certainly the one staple of Cajun cooking that | | | | This meant it could make the more high-priced coffee |
| you will find everywhere you go. | | | | beans go further and yet deliver a similar taste and |
| Otherwise there are wide variances in cookery | | | | texture with that hint of chicory. It's a somewhat unique |
| according to cost and culture (though the more costly | | | | flavor and for many people is synonymous with the |
| foods are typically considered Creole rather than | | | | city itself. |
| Cajun. Sort of a city cousin - country cousin type | | | | |