Banana Pudding Cheesecake with Salted Caramel Glaze

During my hiatus, I had a fierce craving for cheesecake and a banana pudding.  I didn't want to be a glutton (it is Lent after all) so I figured it would be best if I simply combined the 2 into this decadent treat. Keep reading to get the deets!

Jambalaya Del Mar

Continuing with the Mardi Gras theme, what better way to celebrate nature's bounty than with a Jambalaya? Jambalaya is a classic Louisiana dish with Spanish origins very similar to paella which is a dish that includes rice, tomatoes, meat (typically ham, tasso, and chicken), vegetables, and broth.  This is a great 1-pot dish that is versatile enough to accommodate a wide variety of ingredients and is easy on the budget. I had some shellfish on hand and chose to make a scrumptious seafood jambalaya. Keep reading to get the scoop on how to prepare this flavorful rice dish!

Spiced Rum Cream Filled King Cakes

In the spirit of finally being well and to celebrate Carnival/Mardi Gras season, I took to my kitchen to experiment with some New Orleans classic cuisine. The result? My Spiced-Rum Cream Filled Mini King Cakes with Butter Cream Icing! Traditionally, king cakes are a brioche bread that is braided into a ring and baked and then decorated with colored sugar. Once the cake has finished baking, a tiny plastic baby is inserted inside the cake and whoever gets the baby in their slice is supposed to have good luck. I didn't insert a baby into mine...I used rum because its a party after all and it may be good for making a baby, so there you go! Continue reading to find out how to create these delectable goodies for your own Fat Tuesday celebration and "Laissez les bon temps rouler" (let the good times roll)!