I need food help for a Mardi Gras party?

Question

Hi,

I need appetizer and food recipes for a mardi gras party I am having. I will have 60 women attending after playing 9 holes of golf. I need easy to make and easy to eat ideas! I have already ordered a king cake from New Orleans but everything else will need to be inexpensive (my budget is tight!) I live in Oklahoma so some things will not be available! Thanks in advance for your help :)

Answer 1

By golly you are planning waaaay ahead!  Oh? your party is not FOR Mardi Gras?..... Oh.

Well then!  Mardi Gras is (also) wild w/floats and those beads!!  60 women...can each receive a bead necklace (or, you know, have a waiter boy hand them out >any imagination here?< ).

Do you have a video projector available?..and a laptop?  You could project random pix from the Internet of past Mardi Gras pix (and Carnivalle too).  THIS should set the mood.

{I know you wanted food ideas,but I've got mood enhancers for you!)  

HTH.

Answer 2

you could make pralines before hand.. make mini muffelleto sandwiches. I am trying to think of all the times I went what stood out and is cheap? they have shrimp po boys and crawfish boils.. I lived 3 hours from there..I am not sure if you are into drinks but you could have tasty cocktails... you could order the biengets  or find the recipe for them and that would be nice... sounds like fun good luck.http://www.frenchquarter.com/dining/pral...

Answer 3

Red beans and rice is low cost and filling.  Oysters would be the suggestion for an appetizer -- cost allot raw, try canned ---

Answer 4

Beignets would be good, but unless you want to be deep-frying, why not get some boxes of Krispy Kreme glazed donut holes and sprinkle them with powdered sugar?  Make a pot of chicory coffee (any grocery has it in the coffee aisle)... and pitchers of daiquiris .....

These pralines are easy to make & really good.  My New Orleans friend gave me the recipe:

BUTTERSCOTCH PRALINES

1 pkg. butterscotch pudding mix (NOT instant)

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

3/4 c. evaporated milk

1 TB. butter

1-1/2 c. (or more) chopped pecans (I actually like the halves)

        Mix sugar, pudding, milk & butter in a pot.  Cook until sugar is dissolved & mixture boils.  Cook gently, stirrung until soft-ball stage.  Remove from heat and add nuts.  Beat until mixture thickens.  Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper.  Don't worry if they seem soft!  They will harden overnight....

SHRIMP DIP

Rinse 1 can shrimp in cold water & drain well.  Mash shrimp with fork.  Add 1/2 c. mayo and mix lightly.  Add 1/4 tsp. garlic powder;  then add about 1/2 c. more mayo (to make dip consistency).  Chill, covered, at least an hour.  Serve with potato chips

Emeril Lagasse has this marinated veggie recipe in his "Every Day's a Party" & says it has the New Orleans touch:

RELISH TRAY

1/2 lb. green beans, ends trimmed

1 lb. baby carrots

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets

1/2 lb. celery (cut into 3" pieces)

1 jar pickled peppercinis

1 jar pickled hot cherry peppers

1 jar pickled Spanish Queen olives, stuffed w/pimento

1 jar picked Holland cocktail olives

20 fresh basil leaves

6 sprigs EACH fresh thyme and oregano

2 TB. chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 c. olive oil

     Blanch beans & carrots, separately, in large pot of boiling water for 4-5 min.  Drain & shock in cold water to cool.  Put all ingredients into large glass bowl.  Turn to coat evenly.  Refrigerate at least 8 hours .... serve with toothpicks

The mini-muffellta sandwiches were a good idea.  Zatarain's has packages of "dirty rice" and "red beans & rice" (Kroger has them), but not sure how you'd serve that:)

Answer 5

this is an excellent link that I think you will find to be most helpful:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/et_hd_ma...