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Tuesday, February 3, 2015
By Elizabeth Eustis
King cake spinoffs have become a seasonal trend. Everything from king cake hamburger buns to boudin king cakes are being seen in Louisiana. There are even local businesses creating their own Mardi Gras masterpieces.
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| Photo by David Hill |
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| Botsky's Krewe de Patete Douce |
Pops and
Rockets released their king cake popsicle, Alive and King Cake (a play on
Simple Minds’ hit “Alive and Kicking”). This fresh treat has all the flare of
Mardi Gras with bold cinnamon spice and cool cream cheese. Check it out at the Cash and Carry Farmer's Market!
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| Pops and Rockets' Alive and King Cake Popsicle |
I have also heard people talk about a king cake cheesecake
from SweetChic
Cupcakes. To me, this version is all the wonderfulness of the rich, creamy
filling of at king cake but with less bread which means I CAN EAT MORE! Who can
argue with that?!
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| SweetChic's King Cake Cheesecake |
To complete my Mardi Gras spinoff feast, I found Community
Coffee’s Mardi Gras King Cake flavored coffee, Blue
Bell’s Mardi Gras King Cake ice cream, and Abita Mardi Gras Bock.
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But let’s not forget about the traditional king cake. These
cakes originated in Europe as part of Epiphany celebrations held 12 nights
after Christmas. Louisiana Creoles began serving the cakes of bioche dough
(yeast, butter and eggs) at Twelfth Night balls. The person receiving the lucky
slice, which concealed an object (usually a ring or bean), was crowned king or
queen of the ball. Throughout the years, the king cake tradition has endured.
The cakes are available in every bakery and supermarket during Carnival season
and are as varied as the customers who choose them.
King cakes are special pastries unique to our culture and
will always hold a dear place in my heart. For a chance to win a traditional
king cake in time for Fat Tuesday, visit www.visitlakecharles/kingcake
to enter the King Cake Sweepstakes!
Monday, February 2, 2015
The Royal Gala in Lake Charles,
LA
by Glenn Kaufmann
by Glenn Kaufmann
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| Photo by www.monsoursphotography.net |
From elaborate headpieces, to flowing gowns, crowns, and
scepters, Mardi Gras krewes outfit their royal courts in the best and brightest
royal regalia. And, if the Royal Gala is any indication, nobody takes Mardi
Gras costumes more seriously than the people of Lake Charles, in southwestern
Louisiana, where more than 60 krewes (parading
organizations) show off their Mardi Gras finery on the night
before Mardi Gras day.
Each year, the Mardi Gras krewes of Southwest Louisiana
put on a colossal costume pageant that is open to the public, providing many
with their only opportunity to see these grand creations. Often, the
royal regalia (costumes) are only worn at private (krewe and guest only) balls
and functions. As a result, the Royal Gala (the exception to the rule) is not
so much a competition as it is a community celebration, and a chance to show
off the year’s designs and handiwork.
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| Photo by www.monsoursphotography.net |
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| Photo by www.monsoursphotography.net |
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| Photo by www.monsoursphotography.net |
Up Close and Personal at the Lake Charles
Mardi Gras Museum
Mardi Gras Museum
While the Royal Gala is an ideal introduction to the
costumes, headpieces, and royal accoutrements of the Mardi Gras krewes,
spectators at the event can only get so close to the finery. But, just a few
miles away at the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu,
anyone with a few dollars to spare can see hundreds of costumes from years gone
by, and learn a great deal about the design process in the bargain.
Glenn Kaufmann is the
editor and publisher of All About
Mardi Gras, a website that covers Mardi Gras across the united States.
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