Happy Mardi Gras ya’ll!
It’s been a loooooong, cold winter here in suburbia and I’m ready for some serious fun. Today is “Fat Tuesday”, a day in New Orleans known for decadence, overindulgence, and a “last hurrah” before the season of Lent sets in. I’ve decided that today would be the perfect day for a giveaway for all of you. The generous folks at CSN Stores have offered my readers (that’s you) a $65 gift certificate to any of the online CSN Stores. Have you ever heard of CSN Stores? They have 200+ online stores that sell everything under the sun! Come to think of it, I’ve been looking at flat panelย tv stands myself for sometime now…hmmmmm, perhaps tonight after our festive Mardi Gras meal would be the perfect time to casually drop a hint to My Yanni about buying a new one. <insert evil laugh here>
Speaking of King Cake…I bought this King Cake today in celebration of “Fat Tuesday”.ย My Yanni is from New Orleans and I love to surprise him with a King Cake every year. It’s become a treasured tradition in our house, beads and all.
Forget the fact that I didn’t make it. It’s the thought that counts right?
However, I am making mouthwatering Jambalaya that’s bubbling on the stove as I type. That should count for something.
After we dine on the Jambalaya we’ll dig into this scrumptious King Cake (and possibly shop online) and find out who the lucky duck will be…
…the lucky duck that finds this…
tucked inside their piece of cake.
Yes, I know that’s a plastic naked baby. It’s what a King Cake is all about.
Don’t ask me why. I don’t ask questions when it comes to Mardi Gras. It’s serious business folks and My Yanni knows. He’s from New Orleans so I listen (I know when to hold ’em, I know when to fold ’em, I know when to walk away and I know when to take a pastry & its’ naked plastic baby seriously).
So TRUST me, you actually WANT to find the plastic naked baby in your piece of cake, it’s good luck.
And speaking of good luck,
I wonder which one of you will be the lucky duck who wins the $65 gift certificate? And I wonder if I’ll get my tv stand?
All you need to do is tell me what your favorite Cajun dish is. Is it Jambalaya or Shrimp Creole…or maybe a shrimp Po-Boy… or even a warm muffulatta sandwich? <drool> There is no wrong answer, just tell me your favorite and you’re entered to win.
Contest starts today March 8, 2011 and will end Thursday March 10, 2011 at midnight. I will announce one lucky duck winner sometime on Friday!
Good Luck and Happy Mardi Gras ya’ll!
Wendery
WE’VE GOT A WINNER YA’LL!!!!!!!
Congratulations to…
Linda! Who said,
“If a Hurricane counts as a dishโฆ.kidding. Jambalya for sure”
Way to go Linda! I’ll be contacting you about your prize details! Thanks so much for joining in the fun everyone!
Happy Friday!
My favorite creole dish is a Shrimp po’boy from Jaicamo’s in NOLA. My best friend Amanda is from New Orleans too, and she took me there back before Katrina, when she was graduating from UNO. I still dream about that sandwich. She sends me a King Cake every year. She tells me that in New Orleans when it’s shared among local friends, whoever finds the baby is supposed to also host the next year’s Fat Tuesday party.
So many good things it’s hard to choose! (And you covered most of the highlights!) But I’m going to have to go with boiled crawfish! There is something addictive about them, I seriously go through withdrawals at the end of the season! That hot, briny juice sucked right out of the head with the creamy yellow “fat”…and the tender, slightly muddy-tasting curl of meat does something to me! Wish you guys were here to enjoy! Happy Mardi Gras and enjoy your King Cake, it looks delicious!
That baby Jesus looks like Verne Troyer!
I’m a Jambalaya girl, myself.
the only cajun i’ve ever had were potato chips. does that count?
I have no idea… I am such a wimp when it comes to food… I rarely try new things. I dont think I have have had anything you mentioned!! (sad)
Gold old fashion gumbo! I love New Orleans!
I love a good shrimp po’boy!! We have a great Cajun restaurant here in Kansas….I love to order warm beignets for dessert….I know…they are French!!! But they are great with cajun!!
That king cake looks great!! My favorite cajun dish is cajun shrimp pasta. And begniets. But I don’t think those count ๐
I know it’s not terribly exciting, but red beans and rice would be my choice of Cajun food. To be honest I’d much rather have the King’s Cake, I’m a desserts kind of girl!
I’m with you on this one. I’ve had gumbo and enjoyed it, but really I’d rather have dessert anytime!
I love me some Jambalaya!!!!
My husband and I went to New Orleans over spring break last year. I had a shrimp and grits dish at Emeril’s resaurant, NOLA. It was to die for!! I didn’t have a bad meal while down there, but that was my favorite. ๐
So cool. We don’t celebrate traditional Mardis Gras fare around here but maybe we should. Didn’t know there were naked plastic babies involved.
Gumbo!!
Red Beans and Rice!!!!
Do I know what it means to miss New Orleans:
Crawfish Etouffee, Duck and Sausage Gumbo, Turducken, Boudin, Dirty Rice, Catfish Court-Boullion, Corn Maque Choux….OMG how can I pick just one!
I’ll go with the Boudin since its the only one I can’t make myself and have to rely on friends and relatives to bring when they come for a visit!
Well do those fancy Hurricane drinks count? (the real big blue ones) IF they don’t count then I’ll say Red beans and rice and spicy creole shrimp…which we just finished eating.
Hi Wenderly,
Thanks so much for stopping by Testify the blog today. ๐ I think if I had more no-bake cupcakes around my house I wouldn’t need that motivation. LOL
You know, we don’t celebrate Mardi Gras around these parts, and don’t fall out of your chair but I don’t know that I’ve ever eaten creole food. GASP! I know. I would love to try the King’s Cake though. ๐
Red beans and rice – one of my absolute favorites!
Your king cake is great! I would have to pick begniets…..
My favorite is beignets–with lots of powdered sugar! Thanks.
Shrimp gumbo with a nice crusty roll to soak up all the yummy goodness in the bottom of the bowl!
My favorite Cajun dish is Red Beans and Rice; Dirty Rice comes in a close second ๐ *Thanks* for the giveaway!
If a Hurricane counts as a dish….kidding. Jambalya for sure ๐
I love any kind of creamy cajun seafood & pasta dish!
I love any kind of Po’Boy. I am a southern fried girl so shrimp and oysters suit me just fine!
Jambalaya. I’ve not had much cajun food but it’s a genre I’d love to try more of!
I don’t think they’re Cajun, but they are definitely a New Orleans staple…. my favorite: BEIGNETS!!! Oh YUM!!
My favorite Cajun dish is gumbo–made with shrimp and andouille sausage, made by a friend who was born and raised in Louisiana. BEST I’ve ever tasted!
Should I throw in the story of how I once ordered shrimp etouffee at the one fancy restaurant in my college town while on a special date with my boyfriend? The waiter warned me it was spicy…I’m thinking he was laughing in the kitchen all night at me.
I love a good cajun pasta and shrimp dish – the spicer the better!!!
And I would NOT be turning down a meatless muffulatta anytime soon…especially if 3 Many Cooks had anything to do with it!
I was really just stopping by to say hello and tell you how much I love your site – imagine that, a giveaway. Since you asked, I have a healthy black-eyed pea gumbo that I love. My food allergies limit my intake on Cajun food ๐
I love jambalaya. Yum! Crawfish too.
I love gumbo.
I love Cajun food — anyone who hasn’t tried it doesn’t know what they are missing. Anything with ANDOUILLE sausage is high on my list!
I love Shrimp Po’Boys
I looooove jambalaya and rice! Thanks for the great giveaway!
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
Mmmm… jambalaya… or maybe gumbo… Thanks for the giveaway!
I love me some spicy cajun shrimp!!