I would love to visit New Orleans someday. That city is so rich in its culture- the food, the music, the architecture. I want to experience all it has to offer.
One little piece of NOLA that I've always found so fun is the celebration of Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). If you aren't familiar with Mardi Gras- you can read about it
here. I'm no expert, I've never experienced it so I can't pretend to spout off a bunch of info and factoids and history for you.
Someone ordered in a King Cake from a bakery in Metairie, LA. Christy called and alerted me to the appearance of the King Cake back by the coffee. Sure enough- a King Cake in all of its yellow, purple, and green glory. A little note was placed in front of the box- warning of the plastic baby inside. If you don't know about the King Cake- you can read about it
here.
So the person who finds the baby is then "King for the Day" and is also in charge of bringing the King Cake for the next celebration. It's a big old excitement to find that little plastic baby in that cake...
Some traditions say that I am now King of my Mardi Gras celebration- I can tell my "subjects" silly things to do to prove their loyalty. Honestly, Mardi Gras isn't a huge Indy celebration so there isn't much of a party full of subjects here... *sigh*
And I won't be baking a King Cake for the next celebration... but there is a place down the street from me that is well known for their coffee cake. Think that'll pass?
In the meantime- anyone know what a plastic baby eats? This little guy is getting kind of fussy.
10 comments:
Liz, when you need your King Cake for next year's celebration, let me know. I know of a wonderful baker who sold out of pre-ordered King Cakes this year. Cindy, at Circle City Sweets is a fabulous baker and I am sure would be happy to provide you with the real thing.
Enjoy being "King for the Day!"
Julie
New Orleans is one of the most beautiful places, full of amazing architecture, music, and oh my goodness the food! I'm swooning just thinking about it.
I loved NOLA! As for the plastic baby, I'm sure it eats plastic food.
I would definitely have been excited to get the baby! I've never had king cake, and the first time I saw it I thought it was done wrong because it was so ugly. I looked it up online and found--nope, that's how it's supposed to look. But I don't want to sound discriminatory, I will totally eat any cake, ugly or not. :)
Completely forgot that this is a Mardi Gras Tradition as well. My wife decided to put one in a batch of pancakes a year back. Even have a picture in one of my posts: http://cajoh.blogspot.com/2010/01/rtt-spinning-wheels.html
Enjoy,
I think those traditions are so much fun! I know it's fat Tuesday today but I'm trying to get rid of the fat so I shan't indulge!
I just make plain old cupcakes and hide a plastic baby in one of them for our Fat Tuesday party. We usually make some sort of mask as well and wear some beads while we hang out at home. I have never been to Mardi Gras, but I sure want to go some day!
I had told everyone at work "Happy Fat Tuesday" and then had to explain Fat Tuesday to most of them! Maybe next year they will remember!
Oh, man, you are soooo lucky to have gotten a "real" king cake! (Honestly, there are probably as many variations as bakers; everyone has a favorite!)
I lived 2 1/2 hours from NO for 5 years, but spent all my Mardi Gras in Mobile. Fewer drunken out-of-towners, very few naked breasts, lots of daytime parades with kids. I absolutely love Mardi Gras, but you'd have to drag me kicking and screaming to celebrate it in NO!!
Just about any other day, though, I'd happily make the trip.
Oh, and I used to do a quick 'n' dirty king cake for my students using those Pilsbury cinnamon rolls. Just mash 'em into a circle, split the creamy topping into thirds, and dye it with food coloring. Surprisingly good!
I used to really want to go to New Orleans one time for Mardi Gras. Now? I realize won't get anywhere near that town at this time of year. Too crazy!
Taylor's makes a pretty mean King Cake as well! I bet the one from Circle City Sweets is amazing, though.
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