MARDI GRAS FIRST BEGAN

in New Orleans on February 24, 1857 which led to the tradition of a parade with floats. And did you know that purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power? OK, enough about the history, let’s get to the food.

Rich and full-flavored, this gumbo is a must.

The brown roux takes some time, but trust us, it’s well worth the wait because of the depth of flavor it delivers. Serve it over traditional Dirty Rice and you’ve got yourself one dynamic duo. And you might ask, how does shrimp and grits get any better?

Turn it into hushpuppies and fry them up, of course! But don’t forget the Rémoulade — this sauce kicks everything up a notch.

For dessert, ditch the king cake and go with a popular Mardi Gras throw, moon pies. Once you try this homemade version, you’ll toss out the original. Sandwich billowy marshmallow between two crisp graham cookies, then dip in chocolate — yes, please! Now, with the menu set, all you have to do is call your friends, bust out the blender for a few Triple Citrus Gin Fizzes, and let the good times roll.