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Mardi Gras and The King Cake

Fat Tuesday happens on the last day of the Carnival season. It is the day before Ash Wednesday, which is also the first day of Lent. The Christian observance of Lent signifies the forty days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. They mark this time by giving up some of their favorite things to eat or drink. If you are a devout Catholic, Fat Tuesday is the last day to whoop it up before depriving yourself for forty days. This year it falls on March 1st, 2022.

According to Mardi Gras New Orleans, “The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to medieval Europe, passing through Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries to the French House of the Bourbons.” When we think of Mardi Gras we clearly conjure up images of the elaborate parade floats rolling through the French Quarter in New Orleans. We picture crowded cobblestone streets, the wrought iron balconies filled with bead throwers, and the sounds of ragtime and jazz music. The epicenter of it all takes place on Bourbon Street.

Contrary to what many people believe, Mardi Gras did not originate in New Orleans but in the port city of Mobile, Louisiana where many of the French Catholic settled in the 1800’s.

New Orleans is known for its culinary delights. What is a trip to the city of New Orleans without enjoying a sugary beignet from Cafe Dumonde while sipping on a Cafe au Lait or a chicory coffee? This establishment has been in the city since 1862.
According to Cafe Dumonde, beignets were brought the the region by the Arcadians (Rural French from the western Pays de la Loire region) we know their food style as Cajun. The beignets like all things have adapted over the years from a fruit filled pastry to a square of deep fried dough sprinkled with confectionary sugar. Yum!

When we think New Orleans we also think of Creole cuisine at its finest. The early Spanish and French, known as Creoles, who settled in the area brought their cooking methods and their spices that make up the hearty braised meats and stews that are typically served with rice. The most popular dishes are Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice and the famed Crawfish Etouffee.

When you visit New Orleans you will quickly forget the notion that dessert has to be a big piece of chocolate cake. When it comes to desserts the French are the experts and that is no exception in New Orleans. Here the French Creole desserts have a more down home feel with sweet creations such as bread pudding and pralines. These simple dessert ingredients are easily transformed into elegant dishes. Flaming bananas foster steals the show during the final course in some of the areas best restaurants.


Even the famed colorful, tasty King cake is a basically comprised of a big ring of cinnamon rolls with colored sugar and icing. That being said, all of these desserts are a fantastic way to experience a little culture.

Photo Courtesy of Mica’s Sweet Treats

Who doesn’t love seeing a colorful King cake decorated with coins and beads sitting on the table during Carnival season?

The colors of the cake are purple, green and gold. The purple color stands for justice, the green depicts faith, and the gold signifies power.

The beads worn by the Mardi Gras parade goers and that are often draped around the cake emulate the high fashion jewelry worn by the wealthy aristocratic women that walked alongside the floats in the 1800’s.

In earlier years parade floats used to throw colored almonds into the crowds.

At one Carnival celebration, a group riding on a float tossed out full sized coconuts. Can you imagine getting hit with a flying coconut?

The baby displayed on the cake symbolizes the revealing of the Christ child. In Christianity, the day called Epiphany is the day when the three wise men made their way to Bethlehem with the offering of gifts to the newly born Jesus. 

Photo Courtesy of Mica’s Sweet Treats

It used to be the tradition to hide the baby figure inside the cake. For the person who discovered the baby, it signified good luck and blessings. It was also customary for the person who found the baby to be the next to make and share the cake.
Today in the United States the old tradition of hiding the baby inside the cake has given way to safety concerns and the baby is simply part of the cake’s decorative allure.

If you are looking for a King Cake this Carnival season, you do not have to travel to New Orleans, local bakeries like Mica’s Sweet Treats will be offering the sweet traditional cake throughout the month of February and into March.

If cake is not your thing, you could still celebrate carnival with some colorful Mardi Gras style cookies or the Bananas Foster Cocoa Bombs. Why not include the kids? Let them decorate the cookies with the purple, green, and gold colors. What a fantastic way to teach children about New Orleans, the history and traditions of Carnival, Lent, and Ash Wednesday.

Mica’s Sweet Treats is an established award-winning home bakery located in North Raleigh. After just three short years in business Mica’s Sweet Treats has 5 employees. You can also find them every weekend during the summer at the Midtown Farmers Market located in the trendy North Hills of Raleigh, NC.

Africa Sunset

A Taste of Africa

It was in 1985 that I fell in love with Africa. I found myself sitting in a movie theater watching Meryl Streep play the famed Karen Christine Dinesen later to become Karen Blixen. Her character was introduced in 1937 by Author Karen Blixen also known as Isak Dinesen. The book is a bit different from the movie that won 7 Academy Awards that year but Meryl Streep and Robert Redford were stunning in their parts as the leading man and lady. I own the book, it is one of my most treasured gifts from my husband.

The screenplay tells the story of a Danish woman who has failed to marry. Rather than stay at home and care for her aging mother, she negotiates with her friend Baron Bror Blixen to marry her for her dowry. Her journey begins when they move to Nairobi (the Capital of Kenya) Africa to start a farm. The plot has many twists and turns as Karen finds herself the proprietor and sole manager of a coffee farm. She is an independent woman who learns by experience how to deal with wild animals.

She navigates the culture of the various African tribes such as the Kikuyu, the Somalis. and the Maasai. She blossoms while winding her way through a complicated landscape which means even being misunderstood by those who should be her peers, the English locals. This story is set during a time when women were not treated equally to men. It takes place at a time in history when we were heading into World War 1.

The ways in which Karen deals with adversity, infidelity, and loneliness are on point. As are the love scenes between her and her lover, Denys Finch Hatton. Without giving the entire movie away I highly suggest you order this one up on Amazon Prime and watch it. It is worth the small streaming fee. I watch this movie at least once or twice a year. I still hang on to my seat at the suspenseful parts, laugh at the funny lines, and cry right along with Karen.

What Does This Movie Have to Do With Food You Ask?

Yes this is a food blog, however it is because of my love for Africa that began in 1985 that I can truly pour my heart into writing this article. I have vivid dreams of one day going there to fly in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti as I watch the animals roam and run beneath me. I will camp on safari and eat food that is cooked over an open fire. I will lunch on these Braai Broodjies, a South African barbeque sandwich, similar to our paninis except cooked over an open flame. You may have thought the food of Africa appears simple but I have come to learn the flavors are phenomenal.

Our Visit with an Authentic African Cook

We had the opportunity to interview Mercy Kibe, founder of Mizizi Spices in Raleigh, NC. She moved to the United States from Africa and after earning her degree she decided to take the entrepreneurial route. She opened up an African spice company. She cooked for us the day of filming and I was impressed by how the spices in her foods opened up the food’s natural flavors. Below are some of the items she prepared for us. Believe me, they were as delicious as they look!

Watch the full interview with Mercy below.

The Continent of Africa

Africa is the second-largest continent in the world only to be outranked by Asia and it is surrounded by water from every direction. Africa is not only vast in its size, it is also diverse with many unique tribes of people all with their own traditions and unique foods and cooking styles. We could write for days about all of them in this article, however, in order to give you the taste of Africa, we will focus on just a few of the areas that will hopefully bring forward the depth of flavor that African food provides.

Kenya

The area of Kenya is the one most known and loved by tourists who visit Africa. The Maasai Mara National Reserve hosts a large population of protected species that can be photographed in their natural habitats, Mombasa beach is gorgeous for those who prefer the coastline. Lake Nakuru used to be well known for its flamingo population however I am told that rising waters have moved them away.

The Food of Kenya

The food of Kenya is made up of lots of vegetables, corn, rice, and some meats. I am told that kale/collards called “Sukuma Wiki” can be served up to five days a week in a typical Kenyan home. Pilau, which is spiced rice, is another common food served in Kenya. Meat also makes its appearance in Kenyan cooking. Nyama Choma is roasted meat cooked over an open flame and is usually from a goat or beef.

In Kenyan cooking, there is also a version of Beef Stew simply called Kenyan Stew. It has a tomato and onion base and it is also usually made from goat or beef. Ugali is a staple in Kenya, made from cornmeal. It is boiled until it forms a pasty consistency. Similar to grits, this dish keeps everyone full. Irio is a popular Kenyan dish made up of sweet potatoes, peas, and corn. Traditionally the peas would be mashed and the dish would be more green, however, this Irio is much more pleasing to the eye with all the same flavor. It may be served as a side dish or as an entre’. You may see some similar foods in other areas of Africa outside of Kenya, though each region brings something unique to the table.

Senegal

Senegal sits on the most western point of Africa. It is known as a society of artists and storytellers. Its capital is Dakar a city on the Cape Verde peninsula. Senegal was under French rule until as late as 1960. It is smaller in size compared to many other African countries, however, we wanted to include it because it is big in flavor. Its grasslands, tropical rainforests, and proximity to the ocean provide the perfect environment for harvesting a wide variety of foods.

The Food of Senegal

Its seashore provides ocean treasures like Tuna, Swordfish, Sole, and Monkfish so it is no wonder fish is the main staple food in Senegal. Add to that the many cultural influences that contribute to its cooking styles from France to Vietnam and you have a recipe for food success. Senegal has a unique variety of tropical fruits such as dates, coconut, papaya, and pineapple to name just a few. Its vegetables Okra, Cassavaroot, and Eggplant offer a savory accompaniment to those sweet rich fruits.

Pair any of these with its wide choice of native seafood and you have a grocery list that any contestant on The Food Network’s popular show Chopped would kill for. Meat can be found in Senegal but due to the fact that it is a Muslim country, your choices will likely be limited to mutton, goat, and chicken. You may find your dish served with a grain such as Fonio or Millet and be given a slice of Chapati (unleavened bread) to scoop your food with. Dishes like Thieboudine a mix of fresh and dried fish or grilled Thiof a white meaty grouper stuffed with vegetables and spices.

Morocco

Morocco lies in Western North Africa with a border to the Atlantic Ocean directly across from the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain and borders the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco also boasts these majestic mountains aptly named the Atlas mountains. The largest port is Casablanca and yes, that is the name used in the famous 1943 movie starring Humphrey Bogart, however, it was not filmed in Morocco so the movie never really portrayed the rich culture of this city.

The Food of Morocco

Dried Fruits are plentiful, figs, apricots, dates, and of course olives. Morocco is the world’s second-largest producer of olives. You may try them Lemon-Cured or in Harissa (red chili and tomato paste mixture with spice).

Bocadillo is a Moroccan Sandwich very similar to the Spanish version made with sausage. Both use a baguette as the vessel however in Morocco the common filling flavors are tuna, potato, egg, and olives served with a side of chili paste. You may opt for something a bit lighter when eating Moroccan food, Why not use a native grain as a base for a salad. This one below is made with Couscous and its nutty flavor, paired with some fresh greens, flavorful herbs and spicy radish will make you smile.

Moroccan Cooking Techniques

If you have never cooked in a Tagine you can pick one up at your local cooking store or for a more stylish addition to your kitchen, at World Market for under $50.00.

Cooking with a tagine has some rules:

  1. Season it before using it
  2. Never place on direct heat, use a tagine heat diffuser
  3. Wash by hand, do not soak in soapy water

Ethiopia

I am writing about Ethiopia last and not because of any other reason than we will visit an Ethiopian restaurant to finish this article. I am curious to see how the most populated landlocked country in the world, whose population is only second to Nigeria will impress me personally.

Ethiopia is known for producing honey and coffee and has the largest livestock population in Africa. Ethiopia sits just above Kenya and next to it is Somalia. Somalia has the longest coastline on Africa’s mainland. Perhaps you have heard of its capital city, Mogadishu.

We visited Nafkot Ethiopian Restaurant early on a Friday night in Raleigh, We walked into a brightly lit, clean establishment. The first thing that caught my eye was an African mural of a safari that encompassed the entire back wall. In front of the wall on a platform was a box filled with cups, an incense burner, and a coffee urn I would come to know as Jebana. Alongside all of that was a bowl of popcorn. I was intrigued and a little excited because I knew I was about to embark on a unique, culinary adventure.

Behind me was a display of African Art created in multiple mediums, folk-type dolls, clay vessels, and portraits of the Ethiopian people. I smelled an amazing fragrance of burning frankincense and possibly myrrh as I turned around I saw a table to my right being served a pot of coffee with this incense smoke dancing all around them. I could not help but spy a bowl of popcorn being placed on the table next to the coffee. I let my waiter know I wanted that to start with. He smiled and said in a very thick Ethiopian accent “no, that is to finish the meal”. He pointed to the platform where the large coffee urn sat and said this is the custom. Popcorn for dessert? What? I am very confused. I scoured my menu and found the Ethiopian Ceremonial coffee with popcorn. I would just have to wait until after my meal to discover how popcorn tasted with coffee.

The Food of Ethiopia

To start, my dining companion ordered a Guava and Papaya juice drink. It was very pretty. I did not taste it however his description was thick, sweet, and filling. Perhaps more like a fresh juice or smoothie without the ice. For our entree’s we ordered Lega Tibs which is beef tips, with rosemary, onions, and carrots in a special butter sauce. The beef was tender and the sauce was clean tasting with almost a hint of citrus. In addition, we ordered the Awaze Tibs which was also made of beef tips, the flavor was completely different. This dish had some hot chili, just enough. The Awaze Tibs main flavoring is from a Yawaze paste made with mead and honey. The spiciness of the pepper with the sweet from the honey was perfectly balanced so that it made you want to go back for another bite. We waited a good amount of time for our food but when it arrived, I realized it had all been made fresh to order and I will wait any day for good food,

The bread called (Injera) arrived first in a big metal serving dish. This bread was a brownish/gray color with a spongy texture. Injera is a fermented unleavened sourdough made from Teff flour. Teff is one of the ancient grains from Ethiopia. It is one of the smallest grains and is perhaps closer to a grass than a grain. Teff flour is gluten-free and high in fiber. You can find it in Bob’s Red Mill line. If we were visiting Ethiopia we would see Injera being cooked over an open flame.

Our server then arrived with our entrees and spooned out some of each onto the large tray of Injera. He asked if we know how to eat it and we had to admit we did not. He tore a piece of napkin and made a scoop with his fingers and said just like this, but use the bread. How much fun is this? We will eat our entire meal with our hands.

With full bellies, it was time for our Ceremonial Ethiopian Coffee with Popcorn. The coffee called Jebena Buna arrived and it was poured into small demitasse cups. We were offered whole brown sugar to add, but no creamer. This coffee was meant to be enjoyed for its high flavor, low acidity, and an almost citrusy aftertaste. The popcorn was placed on the table and then the incense arrived. We sipped on the coffee and tasted the popcorn with it. Why did the popcorn work with the coffee? I found out it was popped in coconut oil. Think sweet popcorn and bitter coffee. I asked our hostess the owner, Selam, why the popcorn is part of the ritual and she replied because it is happy corn. I suppose that is right… can you be unhappy while eating popcorn? I think not. We enjoyed the incense fragrance as much as the taste of our coffee and popcorn.

We left relaxed, full, and happy. I suppose that is Selam’s goal for every guest. I have to admit we did not know what to expect in our culinary journey to Ethiopia and we were ecstatic with the experience. We can’t wait to visit again.

In the movie “Out of Africa” there is a scene where Karen tells her guests a story, that takes place in a land far away. When asked if she had visited the country that she is describing she simply says ” I have been a mental traveler”. We hope you have enjoyed being a mental traveler along with us on our African Journey.

The Philippines Trip

My Trip to the Philippines

My day time job is working for a Telecom. They offered me an experience of a lifetime to go to the Philippines and bond with my employees.  I’ve worked closely with them and we’ve built great relationships over the years. We have spent lots of time in video conferences in the last few years but had never met in person. It had always been my dream to travel to different countries, learn about different cultures and most important, taste their cuisine. How could I say no to an all-paid experience of a lifetime?  

Preparing for my journey meant packing the lightest weight clothes that I had, as it is 100+ degrees F there every day (I am from the north where we rarely hit 100 degrees F in the summer). I had to gather my passport, get the required vaccinations and register with the US embassy on my travels and where I was staying.

As I boarded the huge Cathay Pacific airplane with my boss, I immediate felt the anxiety. I am about to travel to the other side of the world and I’ve never been on a plane for more than three hours. I wondered what is this 27 hour flight was going to feel like? Let’s just say it was an experience all on its own because all you can do is eat and sleep. The flight was where my culinary journey would start and I didn’t even know it. Every meal was served with a bowl of white rice, fish (usually raw), salad, soup, and fresh fruit. I was not all that confident eating raw fish on an airplane but looking around everyone else was eating it. So you know what they say… “When in Rome”!

Once we landed in the Philippines we were greeted at the airport by a few of my Filipino co-workers, I felt such joy and excitement. However I could not forget why we were there and it was to work, not just play. We dropped our bags off at the beautiful Intercontinental Hotel in Manila at 1:00 in the morning and went straight into the office to see the rest of my team. The Philippines is 12 hours ahead of the United States, so to accommodate a typical 8:00 am-5:00 pm workday in the United States, a typical Filipino workday starts at 8:00 pm and ends at 5:00 am.

When the workday was done, we all met up at a local bar that is open 24 hours and had some drinks. It felt a bit odd at first that I was drinking an “El Presidente” beer at 6:00 am when normally I would have a cup of coffee in hand, but everything I would normally do and see was flipped by 12 hours.

After a beer or two, we were all hungry. It was time for food! We were asked what do we want to eat while we are there? They had the traditional U.S. chain restaurants, but we expressed that’s not what we had in mind. I can eat pizza or fried chicken any day of the week.  We wanted local Filipino food, everything and anything. My team was so happy to hear this and were up for the challenge of where to bring us and choosing their favorite foods that they wanted us to experience.

The majority of people in the Philippines don’t have cars and many rely on public transportation (like we do here in big cities). The cost/distance you were traveling all determined the transportation you should be using. When I went the currency conversion was almost 3.3 /1 so this means my money was going to go a long way.
We all piled into taxis but I could not keep my eyes off the Jeepneys. They are small colorful buses with amazing artwork and the drivers blare music over their speakers. It had F-U-N written all over it and before I left, I was going to be riding in one for sure!

Over the next few days, we experienced the most amazing local foods. We usually ordered one of everything off the menu. We had “Tulapho” (fried pork chunks), Bulalo” (bone marrow stew), “Chicharon Bulaklak” (fried pig intestine), “Lumpia Shanghai” (fried spring rolls) and “Escabeche” (sweet n’ sour whole red snapper fish).  Everything was so fresh, it melted in your mouth and was so rich in flavor. Every dish is served with a bowl of white rice, hot chili peppers, and “Calamansi” which is in the lemon family but looks like a small green lime.

Filipino dishes have a great balance between heat, salt, and sour, which leaves your mouth wanting more!!

My team also brought lunch into the office that they made at home. They wanted to show off their culinary skills. At lunchtime, I enjoyed the best chicken adobo and leche flan.

I knew it would not be long before our palates were put to the test with something very unusual and the day finally came. My team placed a Balut egg in front of each of us and pulled out their cameras to record. There were rumors of previous American teams visiting and grown men could not even eat this egg. They were looking to catch us on video trying to eat this repulsive egg, have our stomach reject it and give up. 

I looked at my boss. We both have strong stomachs and we knew no matter what we were going to doing this!  The team gave us instructions on how to eat it, peel the top, drink the juice then peel and eat. For anyone who does know what a Balut egg is; it’s a duck embryo incubated between 14-21 days old. Well, we did it and didn’t make one face. While we were taking on this challenge, everyone was cheering us on and could not believe we did it. We made office history that day by eating it all.  To be honest, it did not taste bad. It was definitely more “mind over matter” for those who eat with their eyes as you could see feathers and it was a little crunchy.

During the day it became extremely hot with temperatures reaching 110 F and was it ever humid. You do not want spicy/heavy food, so during the day you eat lighter. Lots of fresh fruit;  Mango, Jackfruit, “Rambutan” (a white fleshy fruit with a tart berry flavor with a hint of coconut). We were also introduced to “Durian”. I could write a whole blog on “Durian” alone, and probably will. I can say it is definitely not for me. The Durian has such a strong distinct flavor it will never leave me. It had a slimy consistency and tasted like a rotten onion. But who am I to judge. It’s loved by many and even made into candies across the world.

Another popular dish is “Halo-Halo” and it’s the Filipino version of ice cream. It starts with shaved ice and then toppings are added. In the states, if we had shaved ice, it would be called a snow cone and we would pour flavored syrup on it, that’s it. The Filipinos put items such as evaporated milk, sweet bean mash, fruit, coffee or shaved coconut on top.

During the day we also enjoyed shopping. We went to Green Hills which is a huge indoor flea market with hundreds of vendors all trying to compete to get your purchases. They had the most beautiful selection of pearls, pocketbooks, and shoes. What made it fun is there were no price tags. Instead, you haggle. It was suggested to bring along someone who can speak the native language (Tagalog) with you or you could potentially overpay. The first sale of the day for a vendor is very important. I was told this is where I would get the best deal. The Filipino people believe that first sale will set how the rest of your day is going to go.

I finally got to ride on the Jeepney too and made sure I had my sneakers on. The Jeepney stops for maybe 30 seconds, everyone jumps in on the back and there are 2 long bench seats aligned under the windows. You pay per kilometer and you pay by passing your pesos to the person to the right of you and it keeps gets passed down until it reaches the driver. When you’re ready to get off, be prepared to jump off even if the jeepney is still moving (slowly of course).
I had such a great time during those two weeks that I went back again for another two weeks the following year. It was my thirtieth birthday and that is a story for another blog. All I will tell you for now is, my surprise party was held at Chuck Norris’s house.

My Filipino family is amazing. They gave me memories I will cherish for a lifetime.