Happy Fat Tuesday

Happy Fat Tuesday! There is some crazy going down in New Orleans today. One last big hooray before the solemnness of Lent begins in the morning. On Valentine’s Day of all days.

If you think about it, that is pretty ironic. What begins forty days of repentance and contemplation kicks off on our Hallmark day of love.

I grew up not far from the Louisiana State line. While our town did not have a Mardi Gras parade, towns close by did. Many residents here celebrate alongside our Louisiana neighbors.

Louisiana kids get the week off to take part in all the festivities. I remember being a little jealous that we did not enjoy the same opportunity.

Recently, a friend who moved from the New Orleans area to our town a couple of years ago hosted a late birthday dinner in my honor. Not only is she a world-renown artist, but she is also an excellent cook.

For my birthday cake, she made a traditional French King Cake. If I am being honest, I did not know that the usual round cake with the purple, green and yellow sugar with the hidden plastic baby wasn’t THE King Cake. Now that I know and have tasted a traditional French King Cake, I am just fine never having the other kind which quickly goes stale anyway.

The French version is called Galette Des Rois and is the traditional dessert for Epiphany. It’s a tart with puff pastry on the top and bottom and filled with a lovely creme filling made from ground almonds. The top can be decorated as you desire. My friend made two – one with a dark cherry and almond creme topped with sprinkled powder sugar and cherries, and another that was chocolate hazelnut. Both were to die for.

Sadly, there is no King Cake at my house today, but there is something even better – LOVE. I am surrounded by love every day and I am grateful.

I hope you realize that you are also surrounded by love, and maybe, if you’re really lucky a wonderful King Cake.

Laissez le bon temps rouler!