new orleans

It's time to drag out your beads, throw down some King Cake and celebrate Mardi Gras. The celebration, which means Fat Tuesday in French, is the final day for feating before the beginning of Lent, which starts the following day on Ash Wednesday. The Farmer's Almanac has a fabulous history of Mardi Gras and the many meanings it has to different cultures.But for us, at The Food Channel, it's an excuse to enjoy some delightful New Orleans style food.

Mardi Gras Party: New Orleans Recipes

Classic New Orleans-style beignets glazed with a Sparkling Ice Peach Nectarine glaze to make celebrating Fat Tuesday a little easier.

Sparkling Ice Glazed Beignets

Lawmakers�in Lousiana made Mardi Gras a legal state holiday in 1875. Today, traditions include purple, gold and green beads to signify justice, power, and faith. The parade floats are usually a spectacle and central part of the celebration, but more important is the food. New Orleans is known for its cuisine and Mardi Gras brings out the best of the best in indulgence.�

12 Best Mardi Gras Recipes

This cocktail is made with passion fruit, orange, pineapple and lemon juice mixed with dark rum and grenadine for all your island-vibes.

Hurricane Champion Punch

Dinner is over and it's time for dessert! In this Part 2 of your perfect Mardi Gras Meal series by Chef Ace Champion we have a New Orlean's Style Bananas Foster topped with a creamy Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

New Orlean's Style Bananas Foster with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

New Orleans’s Style Bananas Foster with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

crawfish etouffee

Louisiana Crawfish Etouffee

Crawfish Etouffee

Crawfish Etouffee

New Orleans Bread Pudding

Bacco Shrimp

Bacco Shrimp

hollandaise

Caramel Pralines

Caramel Pralines