Gallery: Whoop It Up With 11 Fanciful Mardi Gras Recipes!

Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday”), is a traditional Catholic's last chance to cut loose before Ash Wednesday. After that it's the start of Lent, and abstaining from some uh... beaded activities.

In the U.S. south where the French first got a foothold on this land, the population mixed their christian traditions with those of the people of the tropical islands who were brought here to serve as slaves. From that cultural soup rose up the rowdy and colorful celebration we call Mardi Gras, and all the great food that goes with it! To help you celebrate we put together some classic recipes from Brazil and New Orleans. Enjoy!