| Happiness is like a virus, you would never come to | | | | heat in the food quite well. For this they also have |
| know when it gets spread and your smile is seen in | | | | ample quantities of iced tea. The restaurants have iced |
| some one else's eyes. The event of Mardi Gras is all | | | | flowing through the taps to help combat those teensy |
| about spreading that festive smile. While it is | | | | dishes when they get a bit too hot. |
| considered a special time span of the year down at | | | | Some known Cajun favorites are listed below: |
| Cajun Country, you can bring this festivity home quite | | | | 1. Po boys or Muffalettas |
| easily. | | | | For those who want to go in for some lighter choices |
| Even if you do not reside in New Orleans, celebrating a | | | | the sure names are po boys or muffalettas. Po boys |
| festival only requires the right spirit. And in case of the | | | | are sandwiches that are some what deceiving in their |
| Mardi Gras - the right ingredients. Yes, the essence of | | | | appearance. These are anyways very filling meals. So |
| this celebration is the food, because Cajun cooking is | | | | as to prepare perfect po boys, one must look out for |
| known all across the world and this festival is all about | | | | the perfect bread. Look for it anywhere outside |
| touching the roots, the traditions and getting back | | | | Crescent City. This bread has some unique 'chewiness' |
| some real Cajun cooking. | | | | that is a part of the real flavor of po boy. It cannot be |
| Now, to indeed spell the feel of Mardi Gras, plan a | | | | imitated elsewhere. I've been all around the country |
| grand old meal fitting for King Rex. New Orleans city is | | | | and I'm sure of this fact. |
| known for their party moods and that's where you hit | | | | 2. French Fries |
| the jackpot. So, now note down the key ingredients - | | | | These continue be a part of the all time favorites for |
| spices and rice. | | | | the Cajun countries. |
| Actually, people always have a hard time locating the | | | | 3. Fried Sweet Potatoes |
| real ingredients required for Cajun recipes. In case you | | | | Down south, people like to fry almost everything. The |
| meet a similar kind of problem, remember two key | | | | recipe of fried sweet potatoes is pretty different and |
| features of this style: | | | | interesting. Its sweetness counteracts the spices of |
| 1. Cajun food is very spicy, so has quite many hot | | | | other Cajun favorites. |
| sauces in the meal. | | | | 4. Chicory Coffee |
| 2. It consists of a lot of rice. | | | | A perfect finish to the Cajun meal is chicory coffee. In |
| The reason behind is the same - the social structure in | | | | case the local coffee shop does not solve the |
| those days. In the olden days when the society was | | | | purpose, try surfing through the website of |
| primarily divided in to the main sections like very poor, | | | | Café du Monde. Just like its known about |
| average and the rich, the riches had the food that the | | | | spices and rice, it is believed that chicory was blended |
| poor ones couldn't even imagine. Those people used a | | | | in coffee and was often used as a replacement for |
| lot of rice. Rice is indispensable in all sorts of dishes | | | | coffee being its cheaper substitute. Though today one |
| ranging from gumbo to red beans. The other variations | | | | could go ahead with real coffee and a mere hint of |
| depend upon the cost and culture. Creole is considered | | | | chicory, chicory is rather unique in flavor. For a large |
| a rather richer choice. | | | | segment of people chicory is synonymous for the city |
| In order to add some taste to this bland food, the poor | | | | all together. |
| in olden days used excess of spices. The modern day | | | | These recipes can easily be located through internet |
| restaurants that serve Cajun food often tone down | | | | within a click' time. So, all the best for planning your |
| the spices to the colloquial tastes. Yet, till date expect | | | | Mardi Gras cooking. Whether you are located in the |
| the Cajun dishes to be a bit more heated up than the | | | | New Orleans or elsewhere! |
| rest. The Cajun natives naturally then can handle the | | | | |