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Marcelle's Mardi Gras
Parade Party

“It would be a pity not to indulge the time-honoured need for seasonal
feasting, but it's important that this desire to be extravagantly hospitable
doesn't become a stress-producing means of self-persecution."
~ Nigella Lawson

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Mardi Gras Elements
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Carnival de Chalon
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Float in Rex Parade at
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Tamale pie can heat up a parade party
The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA
January 27, 2005
by Marcelle Bienvenu
Cooking Creole

“I barely got my Christmas decorations put away before I had to get back up
on the ladder and pull out the Mardi Gras boxes from the shelves in my big
storage building.
While I struggled and unpacked each container, I kept thinking to myself
that no wonder we’re crazy in this part of the country. We can’t seem to
stop partying!
I dug through my collection of beads, looped a few around my neck to get
me in the mood, and spent the better part of the afternoon fashioning my
Carnival décor. Purple, green and gold flags are put in their bases and flap
in the stiff north wind. Garish purple foil bows on the fence posts sparkle
gaily.
My collection of king cake babies are nestled on a cushion of gold and
purple satin in the kitchen. The dining room table is now covered with
countless doubloons and ropes of beads. Carnival season is short this
year, but I’m determined not to let it pass me by. I am ready for the last
few days of madcap merriment and parades.
Here in Acadiana [St. Martinsville] we don’t have near the number of
parades and balls as in New Orleans, but believe me we have plenty to
keep us busy. On the Sunday before Mardi Gras we have a huge parade
in downtown St. Martinsville and I’m hosting an after-parade party for
a few friends.
No matter what kind of weather may prevail, I have been told I must have
a chicken and sausage gumbo. No problem. I made it yesterday and it’s
now stashed in containers in the freezer. I don’t want to have to miss out
on the parade watching, right?
But I also have a few other ideas up my sleeve. If I don’t have a big head
from the ball the night before I can get up early enough to get these done
before I head out for the streets.”

Tamale Pie

Makes 6 to 8 servings

1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped bell peppers
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (10-ounce) package frozen corn, thawed
1 cup chopped green olives
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
2 teaspoons chili powder
Salt to taste
Cayenne to taste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce [such as Tabasco]
1 tablespoon plus 1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled slightly
3/4 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees [F]. Cook the onions and bell peppers in
the oil over medium heat until they are soft, about five minutes.
Add the beef and cook, stirring often, until the beef is no longer pink. Add
the tomato sauce, tomato paste, corn, olives, cumin, allspice, chili powder, salt, cayenne, Worcestershire, hot sauce and one tablespoon cornmeal. Stir
to mix well.
Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Spoon the mixture into a
2 1/2-quart casserole. (At this point, the mixture can be refrigerated for
one or two days.)
In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining one cup cornmeal, the flour,
sugar, baking powder, butter, milk and egg and stir until the batter is
combined. Add the cheese and chiles. Stir to blend.
Drop the batter by large spoonfuls around the edge of the casserole.
Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees [F] and bake for
30 to 40 minutes or until the batter is golden. Serve immediately.

Avocado and Red Onion Salad

Makes about 6 servings

3 medium avocados, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Creole or Dijon-style mustard
3/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a salad bowl, toss the avocados with the lime juice. Add the sliced
onions and cilantro or parsley.
In a small jar combine the vinegar, mustard, olive oil, chopped redonions,
salt and pepper. Put the car on the jar and shake well for about 30 seconds.
Add the dressing to the avocado and onion mixture. Toss to mix. Serve immediately or chill for about 30 minutes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"To cool down the mouth, what could be better than a
caramel cream custard? Here’s my version."

Burnt Cream

Makes 6 to 8 servings

8 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1 quart heavy cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees [F]. Combine the egg yolks and 1/2 cup
sugar in a mixing bowl and beat for three to four minutes or until the mix-
ture is thick and pale yellow. Heat the cream in a heavy saucepan until
small bubbles begin to form around the edges. Do not boil. Pour the
cream in a slow stream into the egg mixture, beating constantly. Add
the vanilla. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a baking dish.
Place the dish in a shallow pan and add boiling water to the second pan
so that the water comes halfway up the sides of the custard dish. Bake
for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and cool completely. Refrigerate for at least
four hours before serving. Remove from the refrigerator and let come
to room temperature.
Set the oven broiler to its highest temperature. Sprinkle the top of the
custard with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Coat the surface as evenly
as possible. Slide the dish under the broiler about three inches from
the heat. Cook for four to five minutes or until the sugar forms a
crust over the cream. Watch carefully so that it doesn’t burn. Cool
the cream again and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.
©2003 NOLA.com. Used with permission.