Celebrate New Orleans Mardi Gras with Healthy Recipes

Posted by Matt on February 15th, 2010 at 09:10am

Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday, or as it is more commonly known, Mardi Gras. While cities around the world have their own Mardi Gras celebrations, none are quite as known as New Orleans’s Mardi Gras celebration. From the beads to the king cake, New Orleans Mardi Gras is an automatic fun time. If you cannot make it down to New Orleans, then bring Mardi Gras to you with some delicious healthy Mardi Gras-inspired recipes.

Reduced Calorie King Cake

Description: The king cake, a circular cake with yellow, green and purple frosting, is a New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition. Serve this healthier cake at a Mardi Gras party and see who gets the good luck of finding the small plastic doll.

Serves: 12

Cooking Time: 45 min

Ingredients

• 1 package yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 6 teaspoons skim milk, scalded and cooled
• 4 to 5 cups white whole wheat flour
• 1/2 pound butter substitute
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 egg whites
• 2 teaspoons butter substitute, melted
• 1 small plastic doll (or bean)
• Light corn syrup for topping
• Granulated sugar substitute for topping – green, yellow, purple

Instructions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water.

2. Add milk and about 1/2 cup of flour.

3. In a large bowl, blend butter, sugar, salt and eggs. Add yeast dough and mix thoroughly. Gradually, add 2 1/2 cups flour to make a medium dough.

4. Place in a greased bowl and brush with melted butter. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise until double in volume, about 3 hours.

5. Use one cup or more flour to knead dough and roll into a 4 to 5 foot long rope. Form into a oval on a 14 x 17″ greased cookie sheet, connecting ends of the rope with a few drops of water.

6. Press the doll (or bean) into the dough from underneath. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until double in volume, about 1 hour.

7. Bake at 325 degrees F for 35 to 45 minutes or until lightly browned.

8. Brush top of cake with corn syrup and sprinkle with alternating bands of colored sugar.

Super Easy Red Beans and Rice

Ingredients

• 4 cans small red beans
• 1 1/2 large onions, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• Green chilies (optional)
• 5 to 10 splashes Louisiana Hot Sauce
• 2 teaspoons Creole Seasoning
• 1 pound lean sausage (turkey works best)
• Hot cooked brown rice

Instructions

1. Saute onions and garlic in oil until onions are clear.

2. Add beans, tomatoes, chilies, hot sauce, seasoning and sausage to onions and garlic.

3. Simmer about 30 to 45 minutes to let the flavors blend.

4. Serve in bowls over rice.

Cajun-Style Chicken Salad

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt
• 3 cups cooked chicken, cubed
• 1 cup green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup celery, diced
• 3 cups tomatoes, diced

Instructions

1. Combine lemon juice, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Beat in yogurt.

2. Gently fold chicken and onions, peppers and celery into dressing. Chill.

3. Just before serving, fold in tomatoes.

Tags: baking, calories, healthy eating, healthy foods, Healthy Recipes, home cooking, what to eat

Under Healthy Holiday Recipes Tags: baking, calories, healthy eating, healthy foods, Healthy Recipes, home cooking, what to eat