Mardi Gras!

Celebrated as “Carnival” in Brazil, Italy, Spain, and France, here in America, no one does Mardi Gras better than New Orleans!

If Louisiana is a little too far away for you, try some of these recipes from Little Scarlet to bring the taste of New Orleans to you:

1. Red Beans and Rice: this simple stew adds kidney beans and salty, smoked ham to Creole cooking’s Holy Trinity - serve over rice with hot sauce for the table and you’re good to go!
2. Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Gumbo: packed full of okra, sausage, and shrimp this spicy Creole stew is just the thing to set your Mardi Gras off right.
3. King Cake: a ring of braided bread, filled with cinnamon, pecans, and topped with the official colors of Mardi Gras - green, purple, and yellow. Don’t let your Carnival be without one!

Sometimes the last thing you want to do is prepare a meal for a big holiday, and Mardi Gras is a great time to head out on the town. Visit Mara’s Homemade in the East Village for a true taste of New Orleans spice and flare! Be sure to take advantage of tonight’s special Mardi Gras menu with gumbo, barbecue, a live crawfish boil, and King Cake. With no closing time tonight, Mara’s is serving food & drinks until the last customer leaves, so grab your friends, a bucket of crawfish, and a round of hurricanes - Happy Mardi Gras, everyone!