Fat Tuesday is tomorrow, February 25. So… you aren’t going to be in New Orleans or Lake Charles Louisiana? Mobile, Alabama? Galveston, Texas? So… the answer is no? Try staying at home and cooking like you’re there!
This is the day-before-Lent-begins feast to end all feasts (until you get to the end of Lent and Dyngus Day).
New Orleans-Inspired Meals
Flip to this website for traditional classics. You can’t go wrong with the classics. You’ll get recipes like this:
- Andouille Sausage Jambalaya with Shrimp. This is a slow-cooked version.
- Traditional King Cake. This round pastry is decorated in purple, green and gold and has a surprise treat inside.
- Crawfish Etouffee. This is a stew served over rice.
- Warm Gumbo Dip. Gumbo is a traditional southern soup; this dip combines the ingredients in a different way.
- German Chocolate Pancakes. This is an altered German chocolate cake.
- Best Ever Seafood Gumbo. Best, because it is both easy and satisfying.
- Stovetop Crawfish Boil. It has all of the fixings: crawfish, corn, potatoes, spices, and whatever else you desire.
- Shrimp Po-boys. Wow. The. Best. Sandwiches.
- Praline Bread Pudding. Pecans, brown sugar and nutmeg.
- Pan-Seared Shrimp with Chive Grits and Salsa Verde. It can double for breakfast or dinner.
- Cajun Chicken Cassoulet. One pot that cooks more quickly than the French version.
- New Orleans Beignets. These are bite-sized pastries, and the site claims this recipe is fool-proof.
Updated Recipes
From this website come some other Fat-Tuesday-inspired recipes, somewhat less traditional.
- Emeril’s Muffuletta. A traditional sandwich, Chef Emeril Lagasse puts a personal touch to it with briny olives and pickled vegetables.
- Vermouth-Poached Shrimp with Ginger Remoulade. Chef Jason McCullar reinvents a classic appetizer.
- Shrimp And Crab Gumbo. Chef Donald Link adds a special roux to the mix.
- Chile-Lime Crab Salad with Tomato and Avocado. This is a classic combination, but Chef Sue Zemanick adds jalapeno to her dressing.
- Crème Fraiche Biscuits. Use crème fraiche instead of buttermilk. Interesting.
- Root Vegetable, Pear and Chestnut Ragout. Slightly sweet and not too rich.
- Mango-Peach Sangria. Yes.
And Even More
You can never have enough food for Fat Tuesday. This website offers even more options. The following are only a few of the recipes to be found here.
- Cajun Shrimp Lasagna Roll-Ups. Traditional flavors in an updated style.
- Ragin’ Cajun Eggplant and Shrimp Skillet. Onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and eggplant, mixed with shrimp.
- Bananas Foster Sundaes. This is a lighter version of the southern treat.
- Easy Crab Cakes. Easy and flexible.
- Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie. What’s not to like?
- Muffuletta Cheesecake. This is muffuletta made into an appetizer (a dip).
- Shrimp Chowder. This is a slow-cooker recipe.
- Carolina Shrimp and Cheddar Grits. Grits and shrimp are a southern favorite. This is spiced with cheddar and Cajun seasoning.
In Closing
My favorite appetizer for Fat Tuesday is SO simple. Take a block of cream cheese, put it on a plate, cover it with your favorite pepper jelly. Let the cream cheese come to room temperature, the easier to dip crackers. Yum.