It’s Mardi Gras season! It’s that time of the year when people all over the world are partying like there is no tomorrow and loading up on all their vices before Lent or maybe they’re just enjoying a good party! Whatever the reason – folks everywhere are wishing they could hop on a plane to Brazil or the Big Easy to dance in the street and enjoy some fabulously flavorful food. But even if you’re stuck at home, you can have your own Homemade Vegan Mardi Gras! These vegan recipes have all the kick and fun of the original Southern, Cajun and Creole recipes with none of the guilt that comes with eating animals. Actually this might be the first Mardi Gras ever that leaves you with a clear conscience. You might want to make 2 pitchers of Margaritas to make up for it!

• Beighnets
• Bourbon Chik’n Po’Boys
• Creole Shrimp Po’Boys
• Hush Puppies
• Hoppin’ John
• Fried Pickles
• Creole Shrimp Gumbo
• Red Beans and Rice
• Jambalaya
• Deep Fried Cajun Tofurky
• Beer Can Tofurky
• Strawberry Margaritas
  

Now that Strawberry Margarita is what Our IDA Staffer Mike Winikoff  calls a “junk-food” Margarita. So he was nice enough to share his recipe for Prickly Pear Margaritas – for you folks that want to add a little class to your bash!

Prickly Pear Margarita

2 oz silver tequila

¾ oz Patron Citronge orange Liqueur (or any orange liqueur)

½ oz lime juice

4 oz Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup (available only from Cheri’s Desert Harvest in Arizona, www.cherisdesertharvest.com )

Crushed ice

Put all in blender, blend on low, pour in salt-rimmed margarita glass, enjoy, wake up humming “that’s what you get for waking up in Vegas.”

Going Vegan for Lent? Click here and get a FREE VEGAN STARTER KIT!