February 4, 2008
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Mardi Gras 08 and King Cake!
New Orleans, LaHappy Mardi Gras!
Yes.. it’s that time of the year again.. Mardi Gras 2008!! For those of you who don’t know, Mardi Gras is the final day of Carnival, though the term is often used incorrectly to describe the days and weeks preceding Fat Tuesday.. according to wiki.. People are drinking, partying and eating the most decadent things on the planet! One of those things? King Cake!
The King of all Cakes… the King Cake! By description, It’s a ring of twisted bread similar to that used in brioche, topped with icing or sugar, usually coloured purple, green, and gold (the traditional Carnival colors) with food colouring. Some varieties have filling inside, the most common being cream cheese followed by praline. Popular bakeries such as Gambino’s, Haydel, and Randazzo, feature original recipes and types of king cakes.
The icing!
The sugar!
The guts!It’s actually a very delicious cake, if you get it at the right place. (Gambino’s, Haydel, Randazzo.. or other local bakeries around the Big Easy) And being in one of United States’ four Most Unique Cities, New Orleans has a lot of different seasons of celebration that make it very special. (oyster season, crawfish season, Saint’s football season!..) Now it’s carnival time and the city is alive and kicking! I’m really happy that the city bounced back so well after Katrina.. Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!! (Let the good times Roll!
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Comments (9)
the cake looks almost a little scary with all that garish colored sugar but i’m sure they’re yummi. is that the cake where they usually hide some kind of mini figurine in there? my husband’s boss brought one to work and he ended up getting the figurine so he was “king for a day”. hehe.
LOOKS SO GOOD.
that looks delicious! wish i could have one =(
I wish I could go to Mardi Gras so badly!
I had some awesome BBQ this weekend at a place called Jim and Nick’s (I think) in Birmingham, delicious meat AND cheese biscuits!
man this is the one time of year i miss the most about new orleans. king cake shipped here just isnt the same as a fresh one you get at the bakery. but i wish that randazzo goodchildren was still open. because i know if they were then i will be getting one shipped. but the best will always be mckenzie.
Brioche and frosting, hm? so, it’s like a cinnamon roll-type cake with hazlenut cream?
Very interesting. the sugar seems to be an odd touch, though…
How funny. I just posted a recipe for King Cake!
HAPPY MARDI GRAS!! =)
Colourful~