Mardi Gras is a staple in our house if we are not in New Orleans at the parades we are for sure celebrating at home. My husband was born and raised in New Orleans and now I have a son at Tulane so the Crescent City is deeply loved in the Plaisance house. Mardi Gras is what you make of it, our kids love it and as my husband will tell you, you get our of Mardi Gras what you want. It is a far more family friendly occassion than the pictures would lead you to believe. The crazy time in the French Quarter is a far cry from the tents filled with families cooking, visiting and enjoying the parades on St. Charles. What makes Mardi Gras so special?
A Brief History of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras, which means "Fat Tuesday" in French, marks the last day of the Carnival season before the start of Lent in the Christian calendar. Traditionally, it's a time to indulge in rich foods and celebrations before the fasting and penance of Lent. While Mardi Gras is most famously celebrated in New Orleans, its roots can be traced back to ancient Europe, particularly France, Italy, and Spain. The first recorded American Mardi Gras celebration occurred in Mobile, Alabama, in 1703. However, New Orleans soon became the epicenter of Mardi Gras festivities, known for its grand parades, extravagant costumes, and vibrant street parties.
Craft Ideas for Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras offers a wonderful opportunity for families to get creative together. Here are three fun craft ideas to help bring the celebration to life:
- Mardi Gras Mask Making Materials: Plain masks, glue, glitter, beads, feathers, and colorful markers or paints.
- Mardi Gras masks are iconic, so why not make your own? Start by decorating plain masks with bright colors such as purple, green, and gold (the traditional Mardi Gras colors). Add embellishments like feathers, sequins, and beads to make your mask sparkle. Once your masterpiece is complete, wear it to a Mardi Gras parade or a family party!
- Bead Necklace Craft Materials: Beads (in purple, green, and gold), string or wire, and scissors.
- Beads are a staple of Mardi Gras celebrations, and it’s easy to make your own festive necklaces! String colorful beads together to create personalized necklaces. You can also add fun charms or decorations to make them even more unique. Wear your creations during Mardi Gras or share them with friends and family.
- Mardi Gras Crown Craft Materials: Construction paper, glue, scissors, glitter, stickers, and colorful gems.
- Mardi Gras crowns are perfect for adding a royal touch to your celebration! Cut out a crown shape from construction paper, and then decorate it with glitter, stickers, and gems. Let your kids get creative with their designs, and once they’re finished, they can wear their crowns to feel like Mardi Gras royalty!
Fun Mardi Gras Facts
Mardi Gras is filled with unique customs and traditions. Here are some fun facts to share with your family:
- The Official Colors of Mardi Gras: Purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold symbolizes power. These colors are everywhere during Mardi Gras celebrations, from costumes to decorations.
- Throw Me Something, Mister!: One of the most exciting traditions of Mardi Gras is catching beads and trinkets tossed from parade floats. This tradition started in the late 1800s and has become a symbol of the celebration.
- King Cake: A traditional Mardi Gras treat, King Cake is a sweet pastry often filled with cinnamon and decorated in the celebration's colors. Hidden inside the cake is a small plastic baby (or a figurine). If you find the baby, it's your turn to host the next Mardi Gras part
King Cake:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the icing: 2 cups powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk, purple, green, and gold food coloring
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and nutmeg.
- Add melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over it, then roll it up.
- Form the dough into a ring and place it on a baking sheet. Let it rise for another hour.
- Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Once cooled, mix powdered sugar with milk to make the icing. Divide and color with purple, green, and gold. Drizzle over the cake.
Jambalaya:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions and parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pot, brown sausage and chicken over medium heat.
- Add onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are softened.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, rice, chicken broth, thyme, oregano, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until rice is cooked.
- Garnish with green onions and parsley before serving.
Beignets:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, evaporated milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 2 hours.
- Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into squares or rectangles.
- Heat oil to 350°F (180°C) and fry the beignets until golden brown on both sides.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
