Celebrate Mardi Gras At Home

Even if you can't make your way down to N'awlins this year, you can still celebrate like a fool by throwing your own Mardi Gras celebration at home with these recipes. Dress and decorate in purple, green, and gold (the colors of Mardi Gras representing justice, faith, and power), put on a mask, pass the drinks around, maybe hire a few trombone players (or perhaps play them yourself after a few drinks), and you're set.

Chef Mitchell Rosenthal, proprietor of Town Hall restaurant in San Francisco, Calif., offers up a tantalizing array of dishes with his own personal twists. Be sure to try his smoky gumbo with andouille sausage and scallion, which he developed while working at the famous K-Paul's in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Also, don't miss his po'boy, which combines the best of both worlds with fried oysters and shrimp. It's the perfect sandwich for those who just can't decide. And to round out this roundup, we threw a few cocktails into the mix and of course, king cake. As they say down in New Orleans, laissez les bon temps rouler!

 

Mint Julep Recipe

A cool, inviting minty green drink that's terribly difficult to refuse...

 

 

 

 

 

Hurricane Cocktail Recipe

A fruity concoction that will leave you in a whirlwind...

 

 

 

 

 

Smoky Chicken-Hock Gumbo with Andouille Sausage Recipe

Nobody leaves hungry after a healthy helping of chef Mitchell Rosenthal's hearty gumbo...

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken and Smoked Sausage Jambalaya Recipe

The secret is in the spice mixture, a blend of 13 different spices...

 

 

 

 

 

The Peacemaker Sandwich Recipe

No, it's not a muffaletta, but it's a pretty darn good sandwich, especially for the indecisive...

 

 

 

 

 

Warm Beignets with Powdered Sugar Recipe

Poof! One bite of these and your face will be covered in powdered sugar...

 

 

 

 

 

David Guas' King Cake Recipe

Traditionally, a small figurine is placed inside the cake, the finder of which is king or queen for a day...