Fat Tuesday!

If I had to pick one thing I love about the South it would be how we celebrate. The parties are grande, the food is delicious, and the decorations are divine! Mardi Gras definitely is no exception! 

Mardi Gras (french for Fat Tuesday) is the last night before the season of Lent.  On Fat Tuesday it is tradition to eat rich foods and sweet deserts before Christians observe Lent (a time of self-denial, which through prayer and patience prepares one for Easter Sunday!).  

To celebrate Fat Tuesday our menu was filled with rich southern classics. On the menu: cajun jambalaya with sausage, sweet cornbread muffins, and fresh fruit.

 

For Dessert? A King Cake of course, no Mardi Gras celebration would be complete without one!

Here is an up close of the colorful icing:

I found this recipe (here) and it was simple, tasted great, and semi-healthy (at least for Fat Tuesday)! I halved the recipe as follows:

Cake: 
1 (8-ounce) cans reduced-fat crescent rolls
2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
1 (maybe a little extra!) tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar (didn't half this..opps!)
1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven 350°F. Coat 10-inch round pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Separate crescent rolls at perforations, into 8 slices.
3. In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Spread on dough.
4. In another small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over cream cheese. Fold dough points over filling, and arrange to form a circular roll like a king cake.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly, drizzle with colored Mardi Gras Icing.

Mardi Gras Icing:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1-2 tablespoons skim milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. In small bowl, combine all ingredients, except food color. Divide mixture into three bowls.
2. In first bowl, add a few drops of yellow food coloring. In second bowl, add a few drops of green food coloring. In third bowl, add equal amounts of drops of blue food coloring and recoloring (makes purple!)
3. Drizzle over baked cake.

Side note: When mixing the icing I had to go back to kindergarden and remember how to mix my colors! Let's just say I needed a little refreshing. ha ha ha. In the end it worked out and all the colors were just right. 

I hope your Mardi Gras/ Fat Tuesday Celebration has been fun and exciting:) Tomorrow starts the time of Lent! Are you giving up anything ? 

With Love, 

Katie M.