Mardi Gras 2014

Catch-up Post!   We had a fun, but low-key Mardi Gras season and Fat Tuesday this year.   We didn't try any get-togethers.   On Fat Tuesday, we were fortunate to have gumbo in the freezer, so all I had to cook was a decadent dessert before the Lenten season would commence at midnight.   Even though King Cake is a traditional Mardi Gars food, it's not what we wanted.   We wanted a homemade key lime pie and it was delicious!  



The fleur-de-lis was an after-Christmas find at Kirklands.   If you don't have beads, you can find them at Dollar Tree.  



My masks, as well as the gold balls in the hurricane glass, came from King Dollar:



This little tree was our Dr. Suess tree at Christmas.   On Epiphany, it became our Mardi Gras tree.   The garland on the mantle was a new find this year from Kirkland's after Christmas, for just $3.00.  I threaded clearance Christmas ribbon through it.




On to dessert:


 

The key to a great citrus dessert: zest from the outer peel:



That is a whole cup of juice from those tiny key limes.   The best method is using a fork to juice each lime.   Rolling the limes before cutting them helps get the juices flowing.



Zest: my microplaner is one of my favorite kitchen tools!   I even added zest to the graham cracker crust, for extra lime flavor.




Now, doesn't that seem decadent enough for a Fat Tuesday dessert?!   Homemade whipped cream piped on top is the crowning glory.   Here's a few recipes and more tips:

http://www.thepiebelle.com/2013/04/02/a-zest-for-key-lime-pie-a-classic-recipe-and-the-recipe/




My Clare really got into the Mardi Gras spirit this year!

 




Comments

  1. Julia18 March 2014 at 14:22

    The pie! I want to jump in the middle of it and live there forever!

    ReplyDelete

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