Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday - all names for that final day before Ash Wednesday. A day for feasting which will provide sharp contrast to the fasting of Lent.
One traditional menu for the day is Pancakes. I suppose in the days when the Passover tradition of having no yeast or leavening in the home carried over into the Christian observance of Lent, the last of the sourdough batter needed to be used up before Lent began. Pancakes would be a delicious way to do that! King Cake, or Twelfth Night Cake is another delicious Mardi Gras tradition. The cake is similar to a yeast coffee cake ring and often frosted with green, gold and purple icing.
Mardi Gras celebrations are held the week prior to Ash Wednesday in many parts of the world, but the celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana are most familiar to Americans. Sporting the traditional Mardi Gras colors of gold, green and purple, the city is filled with Carnival parades in the days before Lent. Another menu idea for the day would be Jambalaya, an ethnic dish associated with New Orleans. That would be a good way to use up leftover ham, chicken or sausage that might be in the refrigerator!
If you enjoy decorating your table for special days- strings of beads, masks, feathers and coins on the table will give a festive air.
In our feasting and in our fasting,
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest.
Let all these gifts to us be blessed.
Amen.
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