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" It&amp;#039;s time to turn on the brass music, bring out the beads and take to the kitchen: Fat Tuesday arrives March 8, and with it, a full night of feasting on traditional New Orleans fare. The culmination of the Carnival season, which began on January 6, Fat Tuesday marks the ultimate\u2014and last\u2014day of indulgence before austere Ash Wednesday ushers in Lent and 40 days of fasting until Holy Saturday. Whether you&amp;#039;re a participant in the Lenten season or not, this time of year provides a terrific opportunity to celebrate the Cajun cuisine of the Gulf: spicy shrimp and crawfish, gumbo, jambalaya, andouille sausage, and red beans and rice, accompanied by sweets such as pralines, bananas foster, crepes, bread pudding and, of course, king cake. Whether you choose to chow down at home or take the party to a friend&amp;#039;s house, the following mix-and-match menus will provide plenty of food (and flavor) for a Bayou-inspired night. Sweet and Spicy  This lineup will push your palate with its combination of smoky, sweet and spicy flavors that boasts the best of the South: meaty slow-cooked jambalaya, kicky corn muffins and velvety bread pudding. Photo: Kate Sears/Woman&amp;#039;s Day Jambalaya Jalape\u00F1o-Corn Muffins Rum-Raisin Bread Pudding Traditional Tastes   Forget fusion or nouveau takes on Cajun cooking. This menu sticks to the basics and is all the better for it, with a super-quick chicken and rice recipe, cheesy cornbread (keep it to theme by forgoing Mexican-style corn in favor of plain) and sweet, sticky pralines. Photo: Charles Schiller/Woman&amp;#039;s Day Cajun Chicken &amp;amp;amp; Rice Corn &amp;amp;amp; Cheddar Cornbread Buttermilk Pralines Quick and Easy  Celebrations are about having fun, so keep the kitchen a stress-free zone with this simple and savory lineup of nutty catfish, spicy cold-cut sandwich bites and rich banana cream pie (which can easily be served as a pudding, sans crust). Photo: Iain Bagwell/Woman&amp;#039;s Day Pecan-Crusted Catfish Muffaletta Stromboli Banana Cream Pie "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/food-recipes/food-drinks/a2364/3-amazing-mardi-gras-themed-menus-116384/>