Do you celebrate Mardi Gras? Whether you like to go all out or just keep things low key, consider it a good excuse for some delicious food. Spicy and sweet with a decent dose of indulgence–that’s how I like to think about the food for a Mardi Gras Dinner Party. If you want, add in some decorations for grins. It’s a celebration. Have fun!
I have loved the idea of Mardi Gras and Carnivale for decades. It’s probably been since my first trip to Venice during my study abroad, which happened to correspond with Carnivale. For me, it brings to mind masks, beads, feathers (on the masks), shiny costumes–all sorts of “flash and trash” things that did and still do appeal to my inner 5 year old. It is only in more recent years that the allure of Mardi Gras has started to shift for me from the spectacle to the food. Now, although I still fantasize about the extravaganza, the food is my way of bringing the party home in a more accessible fashion during an otherwise normal, have-adulting-things-to-do kind of week.
Another benefit is that having a Mardi Gras Dinner Party gives me a good reason to try my hand at some Cajun / Creole food with a little bit of kick. I don’t know about where you are, but here it’s cold and rainy this week, so I’m thinking about Low Carb Jambalaya (i.e. using cauliflower rice). But first, we’ll start things off with some Firecracker Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms for appetizers and Shrimp Remoulade as a starter course. (I might toss in a Keto Praline Cheese Ball if I have time. We’ll see.) I’ll serve the Low Carb Jambalaya with some Keto Cornbread and Keto Creole Green Beans. Then we’ll cap things off with a Keto King Cake Earthquake Cake. (Say that 10 times fast.)
The Details
Number of People: 9
Serving Style: Coursed & Plated
Guest Arrival Time: 7:00 pm-ish (It’s Friday, so anything goes.)
The Menu for Our Mardi Gras Dinner Party
Appetizers
Firecracker Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms
The Creole seasoning adds a really great kick to these stuffed mushrooms. If you’d like to keep them vegetarian, you could substitute the shrimp for sliced or chopped hearts of palm.
Keto Almond Flour Corn Dog Bites
While I love the original version of this recipe, you could make it a bit more themed by using andouille sausage in place of the hot dogs or adding a bit of Creole seasoning to the batter.
Bacon-Wrapped Low Carb BBQ Hot Dog Bites
I often feel like I should offer a better explanation for why these delectable little bites are included in a menu. But, really, they’re easy, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser. What I have had to switch up, depending on my guest list, is which type of hot dogs and bacon I use. For example: using turkey hot dogs and turkey bacon when I have guests who don’t eat pork. Just be aware that some poultry labeled hot dogs are made with beef juice, so check your labels.
Starter Course
Shrimp can be such an easy win due to its quick cooking time, ability to take on many different flavors, and perceived exclusivity. We like to use it as a starter course for all of those reasons. It can up your coursed dinner game without dramatically increasing the complexity of your preparations.
Entrées
This Low Carb Jambalaya is seriously cozy food. I always make extra so that we have leftovers, as it packs and reheats well for lunch or dinner.
Grilled Zucchini & Andouille Skewers
If it’s not grill weather wherever you are, just switch to the oven. The instructions are in the recipe.
Sides
Dessert
Keto King Cake Earthquake Cake
This cake is delicious but dense. So . . . I would recommend starting with smaller pieces if you’re pre-cutting this cake. People can always have more after the first round.
Keto Bourbon Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel Sauce
Confession: I could happily eat the Bourbon Caramel Sauce with a spoon.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Malbec Blend
- 2018 Peju Province Winery Building the Tower
- Zinfandel
- 2019 Peju Province Winery Zinfandel
- 2018 Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel Twin Rivers El Dorado
- Zinfandel Blend
- NV Prisoner Wine Company Saldo
- Syrah
- 2018 Cakebread Cellars Syrah Suscol Springs Vineyard
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