Sandi is blogging from the WhistleStop Cafe kitchen. It's all about good home cooking; food, family and fun. Thousands of posts . . .

~In the south and around the world.



Thursday, February 15, 2007

Throw Some Beads!

This is the time of Mardi Gras! Here in the south revelers are beginning to reach their fevered pitch. The parties will continue until Fat Tuesday which is Feb.20. Traditionally the partying will end at midnight before Ash wednesday, but there may be some who have been known to have trouble telling time at that late hour.

NewOrleans has been known for their parades and parties. There are many other southern towns that spread the purple and green; In fact Mobile claims the oldest Mardi Gras celebration, in fact their Kowbellin society (yes, that is cow belling) help to establish the Mystic Krewe in New Orleans. Biloxi, Shreveport, towns all across the gulf coast will be parading, throwing beads and moon pies.


Another tradition during Mardi Gras is the King cake , a gift for the magi. Inside each cake is hidden a tiny baby king. Whoever gets the baby gets to make the cake for the next year. It is a sweetened yeast bread with sprinkles of coloring. Purple for justice, green for faith, & gold for power. This is Emeril's recipe for a quick King Cake~ couldn't be easier!

King Cake
1 can crescent rolls
1/4 cup cinnamon
1/4 cup butter
8oz cream cheese
1 cup powered sugar
1 small can fruit pie filling
a tiny baby or bead
colored crystals

Spread out rolls and press together to form one long strip. In a bowl combine butter cream cheese with cinnamon and sugar. In the center of the dough spread filling, hide the tiny baby somewhere in the center. Spoon on fruit. Roll up into a large log. Join together to form a ring. Bake @ 350 for 15-20 minutes. Just as you take it out of the oven sprinkle in with colored sugar crystals in the traditional colors of mardi gras.

Where ever you are you can celebrate the butterfly of winter~ the coming of spring. Shake some feathers, wear your beads, and y'all have some fun!
Sandi

12 comments:

Elle said...

This is the easiest king cake I've ever seen. Great idea. Let the good times roll!

wheresmymind said...

One of these days I so want to go to NO for Mardi Gras

Cheryl said...

Thanks so much Sandy for checking out my blog. Somebody knows I exist!!

Now I am a fan of yours and will read it faithfully every day.

I think I will try the King cake this weekend as a tribute to you and Mardi Gras. I'll take pictures.

Anonymous said...

We do Galveston Mardi Gras though we haven't in the last years due to our moves.

Kings Cake became the traditional cake for my birthday but it is hard to find in NYC.

Karen Baking Soda said...

Uhoh...we call it Carnaval over here, starting today..lasts till Tuesday and Wednesday it's Ash-wednesday and you are supposed to eat raw herring and be sad because the good times are over...

Tea said...

Mardi Gras sounds so exciting! Love that picture.
The hershey idea sounds great even if it didn`t work. There`s just nooooo way I would even attempt that one with my reputation LOL

tea
xo

Gattina Cheung said...

Sandi, I really want to visit New Orlean one day! So much fun, so much character!

Anonymous said...

I have always wanted to see New Orleans! What an interesting cake with the little hidden "king"...great traditions :)

Freya said...

I love to read about the area you inhabit! One day we hope to go to Mardi Gras!

Anonymous said...

Y'all, thanks for stopping by on your way to Mardi Gras- or Carnivale! I hope your king cakes turned out great and someone else found the baby!
Let the good times roll!

Melting Wok said...

oh..new orleans, how I've missed the crawfish, the beignets, big cuppa hot cocoa, the cathedrals, & everything else, thanks for sharing, sandy, cheers !:)

Sandi McBride said...

Scrumptious! I know Lent began today, but I just had to try making this...minus the baby...
Sandi

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