I love celebrating Mardi Gras.  Maybe it's because I went to college in New Orleans, or that fact that I just love purple, gold, and green; or most likely because I am fond of any excuse to cook up a pot of gumbo and throw back a few Sazeracs.  This year is especially exciting because I plan to tie the knot in the Big Easy this spring so I am really into anything New Orleans-inspired.  Throwing a Mardi Gras themed party couldn't be any easier.

Here is your checklist:

Order a king cake from Gambino's - they will ship next day air anywhere in the US.

Cook up a bubbling pot of Emeril's Classic Seafood Gumbo.

Whip up a few Sazeracs.

And laissez le bon temps rouler!