St. Patrick's Day

Hello again, readers!

     This Monday is St. Patrick's Day, so get your green on and get ready to celebrate!  But first, it's time for a brief history lesson.  Saint Patrick is the patron saint and apostle of Ireland, and he is credited for bringing Christianity to Ireland.  Saint Patrick's Day is observed on March 17th every year as an official Feast Day to commemorate the day of his death.
     St. Patrick's Day is celebrated around the world, and here in the U.S., while it's not a legal holiday in most of the nation, it's a day to recognize Irish/Irish-American culture and heritage.  If you would like to join the festivities, check in your community - most cities have parades and events to commemorate the day.  Also, I'm sure there is at least one tavern in every city serving green beer.
     If you prefer to stay in, be sure to fix some of the traditional St Patrick's Day food!  Corned beef and cabbage for your main course paired with a loaf of Irish soda bread and to finish, a strong cup of Irish coffee. Your meal does require a dessert, so be sure to head over to our website and see what St. Patrick's Day sales are popping up!  Our cakes aren't Irish, but they are delicious!

All the best,
Euforia Confections

Holiday edition: Mardi Gras!

Dear Readers,

     Today is Mardi Gras!  For those of you who don't know, "Mardi Gras" is French for "Fat Tuesday," and it's celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.  Traditionally, Mardi Gras is the last opportunity to eat rich foods and indulge before the fasting of Lent.  Celebrated around the world with parades, parties, decorations, and festivities, Mardi Gras can be an incredibly fun experience.
     If you want to celebrate Mardi Gras, and there aren't any events going on where you are, celebrate on your own!  Or, as they say in New Orleans, "Laissez les bon temps roulez!" ("Let the good times roll!")  Decorate with lots of green, gold, and purple streamers, flowers, and strands of beads!  Plan your menu: red beans and rice, jambalaya, gumbo - all big hearty meals that will feed a crowd (all the recipes are gluten-free).
     Mardi Gras parties aren't complete without the King Cake.  The King Cake (named after the Magi three kings) is a sweet dough baked in a ring and typically has a cinnamon filling (though cream cheese and fruit fillings are becoming popular too.)  The cake is baked, then covered in white frosting with purple, gold/yellow, and green sprinkles (the sparklier, the better!)  When served at a party, the host hides a tiny plastic baby inside; in the American South, whomever finds the baby in the cake has to provide the King Cake for the next party*.  Here's a fairly simple recipe to try, but it is not gluten free.
     To let the good times roll all year around, sweeten up your next celebration with a Triple Delight Cake.  They're delicious for any occasion, and they're available to order any time!

All the best,
Euforia Confections

** The author of this entry, while living in Louisiana, accidentally ate the baby in a King Cake during her first Mardi Gras.