Blackberry Fritters

It's that time of year. The time when many people across the world set about using up the sugar, fat, and eggs they have stored in their pantry and fridge to prepare for a time of penance and sacrifice. Fat Tuesday, otherwise known by its French translation, Mardi Gras, falls in two days time. Traditionally, on the Tuesday before Lent, Catholics and other Anglicans have eaten rich, fatty foods both in order to use up the ingredients they had around, like I mentioned, but also to prepare for the ritual of fasting. One last hurrah, if you will.

Even though I don't practice either of those religions, learning the traditions and practices of any portion of a culture is important to understanding them. Respecting those traditions builds compassion, respect, and friendships. In my eyes, at least.

These days, I've run across many people who don't even know why they're celebrating Mardi Gras. To them, it's just a week-long party in New Orleans. In actuality, it's celebrated world wide. But yes, in many places it has turned into a week-long celebration culminating on the Tuesday before Lent.

I'll Drink to That: King Cake-tini because it's Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday)!

It's Fat Tuesday!  I usually go the route of the Pączki (pron. POONCH-key - aka deep-fried dough filled with jelly or cream and usually dusted in powdered or granulated sugar or dipped in glaze), but this year I veered off course a bit.

I should interject and state the fact that I am not Catholic, so really the fact that I choose Pączki's today is more of a nod to the significance of Mardi Gras (which translates to Fat Tuesday) than an actual way to use up all of the richer, fattier foods in my cupboard before the season of Lent begins.  A practice which I admire the cultural and religious importance of.

I thought about perhaps making a King Cake instead - which would be a first (um, almost ashamed to admit that I've never even tried one).  But I've had a lot going on lately, and time has not been on my side. Cocktails, however, ARE on my side.  And I figured that a cocktail with the flavors of King Cake is the next best thing.  I'm also guessing that a lot of people choose to give up alcohol for Lent, so this can be a final hurrah, as well.

As it should be, these are far too easy to drink - so be careful.  They're pure alcohol.  Unless you count the pinch of cinnamon.

King Cake-tini {cocktail}

by Heather Schmitt-González

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: n/a

Keywords: beverage alcohol vodka Mardis Gras Southern

Ingredients (1 cocktail)

• 4 oz. Cake Vodka
• 1 oz. Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or Triple Sec
• 1 oz. Irish Cream

extras:

• cinnamon, for dusting
• green, purple, and gold/yellow sanding sugar, for rim

Instructions

Wet the rim of a martini glass. Dip a third of the rim into each color of sugar.

Combine all three liquors in a cocktail shaker with a couple cubes of ice. Shake well and strain into prepared martini glass. Sprinkle a small pinch of cinnamon over the top.

Enjoy!

slightly adapted from Food Network Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013

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Next year will be the year that I finally get my act together and plan accordingly... and actually make a batch of Pączki's. You know, so that I can cross them off "my list".

I hope.

Okay, it's official...I can't not get a Pączki on Fat Tuesday.  Check out this awesome tower made of Pączki - it was even leaning a bit. Totally hilarious!

FAT TUESDAY!

It's Fat Tuesday....Mardi Gras....Hooray for Pączki's!

Have you had your Pączki yet? Do you know what a Pączki is? It's pronounced "poonch-key" or "punch-key". It is a yeast-raised Polish pastry eaten on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday...it marks "Fat Tuesday" (which is the translation of Mardi Gras)! One last indulgence before Lent (and a way to use up all the eggs, cream, sugar and other foods forbidden during Lent)...hence one last indulgence before fasting. Fasting...Fasting?! Yikes, not for me, but then again, I'm not Catholic...or Polish. What I am is a supporter of my local bakery...they make the softest, richest Paczki's around.