Fat Tuesday & Mardi Gras Recipes
Celebrate a day of decadence, rooted in traditions and culture.
Mardi Gras is a celebration of cultures, traditions, food and people that dates back centuries. Close your eyes and listen to the brass bands that parade down the French Quarter, the ornate wrought iron balconies, drifting in and out of the reverie of this holiday season that signifies the last moments of indulgence before the start of Lent. Dining on Paczki, Polish donuts, king cakes crowing their next king or queen for the day or cooking up creole classics that are rooted in the traditions that only Mardi Gras can conjure up. Whether you are enjoying the food, catching some beads or pouring out celebratory libations, indulge in the holiday with your local Big Y Supermarket.
Creole Classic Recipes
Celebrate the food behind the culture. Spice it up and sweeten the season with these great recipes.
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MUFFULETTA
RECIPE
A beautifully-crafted sandwich stacked high with thinly-sliced deli meats, sweet peppers and a briny olive tapenade.
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GRILLED BANANAS WITH
BUTTER RUM SAUCE RECIPE
Grilled sweet bananas topped with a buttery-warm caramel sauce and topped with chopped pecans. Pair with your favorite ice cream.
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CAJUN SHRIMP
SKILLET RECIPE
Sautéed shrimp in a delicious, slightly spicy Cajun sauce.
Feed Your Whole Krewe!
Catch these seafood classics to feed a crowd and celebrate Mardi Gras.
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SHRIMP & SAUSAGE
JAMBALAYA RECIPE
A creole classic! A hearty, spicy dish packed with sausage, shrimp, rice and vegetables.
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SEAFOOD BOIL
RECIPE
Shellfish, kielbasa, vegetables and spices, boiled together to create a briny, savory and slightly sweet dish.
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LEMON GARLIC
STEAMED CLAMS RECIPE
Perfectly-cooked clams with a lemon-garlic and butter dipping sauce.
Celebrate with Charcuterie
Dazzle your party guests with a board fit for a king or queen.
Build a Charcuterie Board by Number
1. Peppered Salami
2. Fresh Mozzarella
3. Sliced Prosciutto
4. Havarti with Dill
5. Gorgonzola
6. Brie Cheese
7. Goat Cheese
8. Pitted Greek Olive Mix
9. Fresh Strawberries
10. Fresh Blackberries
11. Fresh Raspberries
12. Whole Almonds
13. Fig Spread
14. Sweet or Hot Soppressata
15. Sliced Coppa
16. Smoked Gouda
Mediterranean Bar
Our Mediterranean Bar is loaded with a large assortment of specialty olives, peppers, antipasto salads and more! Get creative with olives, they can make a great addition to your charcuterie board or simply the best ingredient to the perfect meal.
Culinary Tours Specialty Cheese & Charcuterie
Create a bright, beautiful cheese board at a moment's notice with Culinary Tours Specialty Cheeses & Charcuterie. From bold blue cheese to hand-trimmed pork with authentic blends of spices, your guests will eat up the enticing variety. Get carried away.
Mardi Gras “Throws”
From beads and cups to coconuts, doubloons, shoes and more, Mardi Gras “throws” are the ultimate, collectable party favor.
The tradition of "throwing" during Mardi Gras pre-dates the carnival that we all know of today. Fête de la quémande, also known as the Feast of the Begging, is dated back to the early 1870s. Parade-goers would ask for food and treats as a procession of costume-clad people, passed through rural communities. Today, this tradition continues almost 130 years later. "Throws" such as beads, doubloons, plastic cups, shoes, coconuts, purses, sunglasses and edible treats are tossed or handed to people in the parade by members of a Krewe.
Mardi Gras King Cake
Celebrating Mardi Gras comes with its perks. Slice this confectionary creole favorite and discover if you will be the next king or queen for the day.
This frosted seasonal treat is enjoyed between the Twelfth Night, otherwise known as King's Day on January 6th, and Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. The cake is made with brioche dough and is filled with fruit, chocolate, cinnamon or cream cheese. The colors in the frosting are considered the royal colors of Mardi Gras and there is one special surprise inside each cake, a plastic baby! Symbolizing Baby Jesus, whomever gets the baby in their slice is considered "King or Queen for the day". This also means the recipient of the baby gets to hold the next Mardi Gras party.
Mardi Gras Celebration Cake Recipe
A fun twist on the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake! Use crescent rolls, instead of making dough from scratch, to make this recipe quick and easy. The tradition of adding a plastic baby can be included if desired.
A Sweet Ending to a Season of Indulgence
The red and white Paczki box is hard to miss in the Big Y Bakery Department. These delectable donuts have a history that is baked in the traditions of the Polish culture. One bite is not enough! This confectionary masterpiece has all of the elements needed to properly celebrate Fat Tuesday.