Another misconception, one that I hear the most, is that Mardi Gras is a Bourbon Street event filled with beads, beer, and boobs. It’s not. In fact, most of the parading takes place in the other parts of the city and it’s largely a family event. Here’s the schedule of the main Mardi Gras parades and their routes that are taking place around New Orleans. The Bourbon Street happenings are the tourists trying to live it up and calling this a Nawlins’ experience, then telling everyone that this is what NOLA is all about. You won’t find locals there. They’ll be celebrating the day collecting ‘throws‘ along the other parade routes without having to show any skin.
Though most tourists go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, I’ve never been there for that season. I prefer to take the entire family in spring or early summer and enjoy all of the food, music, culture, and historic sites without dealing with the large, rowdy crowds. If I were ever to get the opportunity to go one day, I’d want to be there for Lundi Gras – Fat Monday – for the Red Beans Parade. Shocking, huh? Everyone that walks in that parade design costumes covered in a variety of Camellia beans and are led by the Grand Marshall, Al ‘Carnival Time’ Johnson.
{photo credit: Shawn Fink}
If you’re not familiar with Lundi Gras, it’s the party before the big party. The day offers a unique tradition where Rex, the king of Carnival arrives on the river by boat and meets with the King of Zulu. They are both then greeted by the Mayor where it now becomes official that Rex rules over New Orleans for the following day.
One free event that takes place on Monday – besides the Red Beans Parade – is the Zulu Lundi Gras Festival that’s held at Woldenberg Park along the Mississippi. It’s a day-long event that features food, music, arts, and crafts. It’s a great way to check out the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. For more information on the festival for which popular musical acts are performing or what food is being offered, along with the history of the event, please visit their website at http://www.lundigrasfestival.com.
Another misconception about this recipe: it’s only for kids. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Fact is, this is probably one of my wife’s favorite meals. When I pair this recipe with my Creole Mac ‘n’ Cheese: she’s in heaven. I usually have to double everything up because everyone wants seconds along with leftovers for lunch the next day.
But I can understand why there are misconceptions about this recipe… the chicken strips and there are breasts involved. How many beads is that worth?
Sorry.
That’s the tourist in me coming through.
Try this meal – the Mardi Gras Chicken Strips, Creole Mac and Cheese, and Creole Style Green Beans – and let us know what you think about it in the comment section below. My family loves it and I think that yours will too.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Ingredients
- 1 lbs boneless chicken breast cut into strips
- 2 cups Colorful Goldfish crackers crushed
- 1 cup Ritz crackers crushed
- 1 tsp Creole seasoning
- 1 cup Ranch Dressing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- Place Colorful Goldfish crackers, Ritz crackers, and Creole seasoning in a resealable bag and crush to tiny pieces. Pour the crushed contents into a wide bowl. Pour Ranch dressing into another wide bowl.
- Dredge the chicken strips in the Ranch, then coat with the colorful cracker mixture. Repeat for each of the pieces.
- Line a 9x13 pan lined with tin foil and lightly coat with a non-stick spray. Place the chicken pieces in the pan. Cook in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayo
- 5 tbsp Creole Mustard
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ tsp Creole seasoning
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- dashes of hot sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together all of the ingredients.
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Thank you for stopping by!
Keep the red beans cookin’!
Eric
Eric Olsson is the food blogger of RedBeansAndEric.com. He publishes new recipes and interviews weekly. He has developed recipes and written articles for the famous Camellia brand in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been mentioned in Louisiana Cookin‘ magazine and has had recipes featured in Taste of Home magazine – with his Creole Turkey recipe being runner up in their annual Thanksgiving recipe contest. He lives outside of Detroit, Michigan, with his wife and four children.
David
Keep up the good work… Happy Mardi Gras!
Red Beans and Eric
Thanks, David! Same to you!
Barbara Long
I don’t know if I can find the Creole mustard but iif I can, we are going to try this. It looks so good.
Red Beans and Eric
Hi, Barbara. You can always use a spicy mustard or a Dijon mustard. I know the Walmart and Kroger near me offer a spicy version of their mustards. Hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!