Let the Good Times Roll!

As an equal opportunity holiday celebrator, this week had Fat Tuesday!  A good time was being had by all at some of our old fun joints, like Cafe du Monde, the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, I'm sure. 

I wondered what to make that day, besides Red Beans & Rice (which I did in my IP).  I was remembering back to when the little S was in elementary school. As most schools do, her school also had Multicultural Week.  And as funny as it was, even though we live in the US, most of her class was also Indian or some type of Asian. The projects that week were always about Diwali, India, Holi, or Chinese New Year... you get the drift.  So, one year she decided to think outside the box... or rather the map of the her classroom.  Her presentation was going to be about Louisiana and Mardi Gras (from a kids perspective, of course). ;)  She had a great time doing her write up and gathered her "outfit" for the day.  Then came the million dollar question, "What can I pass out, mommy?"  We had beads and little masks for all but... that didn't quite seem like enough for her.  She said, I love beignets and I'm sure my friends will too.  :)  I said, "Ya, why not! Who wouldn't? A room full of kids on a powdered sugar high!!  Your teacher is going to love me."  :)

So that day, I made a tray full of beignets and off to the classroom she went. The presentation went well, the kids were surprised, "I thought S was from India?" some asked. And I replied, "she is but, since she has grandparents who live in Louisiana, and she enjoys her visits there, she decided that she'd share something a little different with you this year." Who'd a thunk it? :) 

The classroom was  just a little messier than usual and recess was just a little longer.  But, in the middle of a CA classroom, Mardi Gras was celebrated in "Red Stick" style... 

"Laisser le bon temps rouler"  Let the Good Times Roll!  Pun intended. ;)

So, in honor of that... I whipped up an easy, peasy, cheat-worthy quick batch of beignets. 

You have a couple of options if you'd like to give it a try. 

A)  Purchase a box of Cafe du Monde's Beignet mix.  Available in Louisiana stores or at Cost Plus World Market.  Follow directions and Enjoy!

B)  Use Trader Joe's Buttermilk Pancake baking mix. This is what I did this time. 

Take 2 cups of mix, add 1 cup of water. Combine. It will be a little sticky and lumpy.  Slowly add more mix, about a cup, give or take some, until it forms into a nice, round ball. 

Once it's easy to handle, roll out onto a floured surface.  Cut out into squares. Heat oil. And fry till golden brown. 

Remove onto paper towel and then transfer to a serving tray. While they're still warm pour a generous amount of powdered sugar on top. Be careful not to sneeze! :)

Enjoy! 

Here's my little Mardi Gras girl... how time flies...  :)

And another year, we happened to be at a Mardi Gras celebration at the Universal Studios Parks in Orlando. That was a fun time too, with floats and beads and Cajun music too.