Do you need a set of beads to promote your love of chicken fingers?

If they’re throwing Mardi Gras beads, I’m catching them. Big, red beads with a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers “medallion” came my way at Saturday’s Majestic Krewe of Aurora ball. I also raised my hands for beads with masks, commemorative beads, beads not unlike pink crystals and all manner of shiny, blinky things.

This year’s ball was as awesome as ever, with the festival’s “Color Me Carnaval” theme. I finally got to hear DeAndre Nico sing. He performed the National Anthem before at the beginning of festivities. Costumes, friends and beads made for an exciting evening at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center.

You should have seen the size of the king cakes.

When you’re out on Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas grounds this weekend, have some Cajun flavors for me!

Bread pudding in the morning

What’s not to love about a serving of bread pudding for breakfast? Pairing it with eggs is not a stretch. There are lots of eggy and bread-based morning casseroles that don’t involve rum sauce, so try a basic bread pudding this season with a hint of syrup.

In fact, we here in the Cajun part of Texas claim bread pudding, but there’s a lot to a less sweet version that puts me in mind of a Mexican breakfast. So that’s how I ended up with a bit of bread pudding, egg and spicy red salsa on my plate. You know what? It sounds good for dinner, too.

Taste of the Triangle

So this Fat Tuesday, consider ringing out the season with the 36th annual Taste of the Triangle at the Beaumont Civic Center. The Sabine Area Restaurant Association benefits from ticket sales and you won’t leave there hungry. This is a very cool area event and Mid-County restaurants are often the stars of the show.

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie having so much fun during the Mardi Gras season that she can’t wait for Lent to begin. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com