Authentic Appetizers

• Seafood plays a prominent role in all Cajun and Creole cooking, including appetizers. For fun finger food, make mini crab cakes and fried crawfish tails served with tangy remoulade sauce. As an elegant starter, serve oysters rockefeller, which can be prepared with a small amount of absinthe. Jalapeno corn muffins will start your guests' meals off with a spicy kick. Hot corn and crab meat soup will make an excellent starter course on chilly days.
  
  

Exciting Entrees

• Enhance your Mardi Gras party with taste-tempting entrees such as jambalaya and crawfish casserole. Make a big pot of gumbo, which features a variety of seafood and spicy andouille sausage. Grill delicate Louisiana redfish, and serve it with a side of oyster dressing. If you are holding your Mardi Gras party outdoors, delight guests with a lively crawfish boil or grilled shrimp.
  
  

Delectable Desserts

• The best part of a meal in New Orleans is the rich dessert, such as hot and fresh beignets laced with powdered sugar. Display authentic praline candies on a colorful tray, or make bread pudding featuring real rum or rum flavoring. Make cafe au lait, and serve it with strawberry beignets. Flaming bananas foster will make an exciting table-side presentation.