Catch any good beads lately? Yes, we are in the middle of the greatest PARTY. Each year here is New Orleans, we pull out all the stops to having a great time. Weather you sit in the “Common” space or line up down the street. Each and every individual from infant to 102 is there for one thing. A Great Time!!!
I LOVE this season! Why, you might ask. I think it is because I usually don’t like going to gatherings where I’m expected to chit-chat. Bet that surprises you. But when you gather with a bunch of “strangers” on the street to welcome bands and floats, it is like you are in a welcoming community where no one thinks anything about you begging for decorated pumps or even rolls of toilet paper. Sounds like FUN! I can even disappear by wearing costumes or just wearing green, purple and gold. Layering strings of beads from shoulders to chin is a challenge every year. Karen and her family stake out a favorite corner at Napoleon and St Charles across from Superior Seafood armed with a full ice chest with essential snacks and drinks for everyone and make a day of it. Between parades we toss balls, play music, and eat, what is more fun than that?
A fun fact about Mardi Gras is that New Orleans was not the first host city. Mardi Gras didn’t come to North America until 1699 and it was held 60 miles downriver from New Orleans. A few years later soldiers and settlers hosted Mardi Gras celebrations in the city of Mobile, AL. They still claim they are the oldest annual Mardi Gras Celebration in the US.
Let’s talk about a couple of fun projects. By using our Dear Stella Mardi Gras fabric, you can whip up fun, decorative kitchen towels that will impress your Mother-in-law. Use the Hand Towel Pattern - Easy Towel Topper to make kitchen towels that you can hang on your oven or other appliance. Or you can pick up some of our toweling then you can applique or embroider cute crowns, beads, alligators, or streetcars.
If you have a place in your kitchen that you can hang a small wall hanging , this Mardi Gras Mini Quilt – From My Carolina Home can be made with our green, gold, purple and white solids. It is based on a simple one block and sews up quickly. The harlequin design is used in many costumes worn during Mardi Gras parades. You will be envy of the neighborhood.
These free PDF's will be available February 6 and they're already linked here so you can come back on Monday and click.
Please share your project with us at on Instagram #Chateausew&show
I’m off to enjoy the parades. Then how about a piece of King Cake. Yummy!!
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
King Cake Recipe
Find the small plastic babies at a cake decorating store or party store. It does seem wrong to hide something in a cake that clearly says choking hazard on the package! If it worries you to bake the plastic, just shove it inside the cake after it is baked but before you frost the cake.
DOUGH
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- 4 Tablespoons sugar
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened, cut into pieces
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- FILLING
- 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
GLAZE
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons milk add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the glaze reaches desired consistency.
- About 2 tablespoons - Colored sugar green, purple, and yellow for decorations on top of the glaze
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING THE KING CAKE
- Combine yeast, warm milk, and sugar. Let stand five minutes.
- Combine yeast mixture, butter, egg, salt, and half the flour: beat with mixer or food processor just until mixed and smooth. Gradually add in flour to make a soft dough. I use a food processor and mix for 45 seconds until a soft ball is formed.
- Place dough in a well-oiled bowl, turn to grease the top of the dough. Cover in a warm area for about an hour until dough rises and almost doubles in size .TIP: You can also at this point put the dough in an oiled zip-loc bag and keep it in the refrigerator for at least an hour up to four days. I put the dough in the refrigerator because I like to roll the dough out while it is cold.
- While the dough is rising make the cinnamon-sugar filling Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small dish and stir well.
- If not refrigerating the dough and dough has doubled, punch dough down, turn it out onto the floured surface and knead a couple of times.
- Divide dough in half. Roll out each half into about 7 by 15-inch rectangles. Brush each rectangle with half of the melted butter and then sprinkle each rectangle with half of the cinnamon-sugar filling mixture.
- Starting with long side roll-up dough (link when rerolling for cinnamon rolls).
- Press the roll together at the seam. Wind the two rolls together, forming one thick rope. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Form rope into a ring pinching ends together to seal.
Cover the dough loosely with plastic wrap (sprayed with cooking spray so it doesn’t stick) and let it rise until doubled, about 1 hour
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Bake the cake until it is golden brown, 20 – 35 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool about 15 minutes before icing.
- If hiding a plastic baby poke it inside the cooled cake before icing.
- Spoon icing over the top of the cake. Immediately sprinkle on colored sugar, alternating between the three colors.