The CulinaryWoman Newsletter, 2/12/23

Scenes from my Mardi Gras parade

Hello! Welcome to this week’s issue of the CulinaryWoman Newsletter. It goes out free to all our subscribers. But for more context during the week, become a paid subscriber. You will receive Red Beans and Advice on Monday, take part in The Conversation on Wednesday and get a sneak preview of the upcoming issue on Friday.

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It’s Carnival Time

On Saturday, I rode in the Mardi Gras parade staged by the Krewe of Freret and the Krewe of Themis, to which I belong. Themis was founded in 2020 and many of the members were previously part of the Krewe of Nyx. I dropped out of Nyx in 2019, a year before a big blow up that caused most of its members to leave.

My former Nyx sisters formed this new krewe, but at the time, New Orleans had a moratorium on allowing any more krewes to parade. The Krewe of Freret, founded by Troy Andrews, better known as Trombone Shorty, agreed to associate with us.

Troy always kicks things off with his own float - yes, he rides under a giant replica of himself - and he also hosts Shorty Gras, an all-night party that follows the ride.

I wasn’t sure I was going to make onto a float this year. When I injured my back last fall, I could barely sit in a chair, let alone think about standing on a float for the better part of a day. But I pushed myself to do it, despite a cold, windy and rainy day.

Every big krewe in New Orleans has a signature throw that is a sought after souvenir. Zulu hands out coconuts, Muses makes glittered shoes and Tucks gives out toilet brushes (well, it’s New Orleans).

Our signature throws are small umbrellas, which have become so popular that an art gallery is displaying them. (Mine aren’t that skillful.) Along with our umbrellas, many of us gave out sustainable throws, such as soap, packets of coffee, red beans and jambalaya mix, and glass and wooden beads rather than plastic.

I was so happy to see Chef Jason Goodenough on the parade route, as well as Liz Creel, owner of the Park View Historic Hotel (and my landlady). I was also tickled to see this sign. If you are CulinaryWoman readers, please email me. I’d like to bring you an additional throw.

Of course, there was food. We had these nice box lunches, and our friends on the float passed around two different types of King Cake.

The most wonderful part, for me, is seeing how much joy people get from Mardi Gras. The trinkets we throw aren’t especially valuable, but people cherish them and display them in their homes.

I also love seeing New Orleans from a float. The city may face some major problems, but on the days of Mardi Gras parades, the worst are temporarily forgotten.

With my parade over, I can sit back and enjoy the rest of Carnival time. Let the good times and the floats roll from now through Mardi Gras day.

A New Giveaway: Edible Cookie Dough From Deux

We’ve given away cookbooks, coffee, tea and Japanese BBQ sauce. Now for a sweet but sensible treat: edible cookie dough from Deux. They call it “good for you cookie dough.”

Their products are vegan, and they have just added cookies and cream as well as matcha to their lineup, which includes birthday cake, chocolate chip and brownie. They are safe to eat straight from the jar or you can bake the dough in the oven.

Read about them at eatdeux.com. You can receive $5 off your first order.

Our winner will receive a sample pack with the new flavors. The package will come directly from Deux. To be eligible, upgrade to a paid subscription (existing paid subscribers are automatically in the pool).

What I’m Writing and Saying

I had a delicious time exploring chicken pot pies in New Orleans for The Takeout. That dish might not automatically come to mind when you think of New Orleans cuisine, but we have numerous choices.

I was tickled to be quoted in about soup traditions in JLiving Magazine. Not only do I love soup, but it has many historical meanings across the centuries. I learned a lot and I hope my deli insights were helpful.

Keeping Up With CulinaryWoman

You can reach me via email at culinarywoman at gmail dot com. Visit the CulinaryWoman Facebook page. My New Orleans adventures are on Instagram at micki_in_nola and my general Insta account is michelinemaynard.

I will be back tomorrow with Red Beans and Advice for our paid subscribers. I will see everyone else next week. Stay healthy and safe, and enjoy the parades if you are here!