Mardi Gras 2026, also known as Fat Tuesday, is on Tuesday, February 17, and marks the end of the Carnival season before Lent. Celebrations have been happening since early January and continue until Lent arrives.
Here is a very special recipe from Gourmet Gracie’s vault of epicurean delights. Mr. B’s restaurant, a member of the famous Brennan restaurant family, has been open in the New Orleans French Quarter since 1979 and continues to serve their delicious Gumbo YaYa. This is an adaptation that has been enhanced over time.
Gumbo Yaya
Serves 4 generously.
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 1 medium green pepper, chopped
- 1 lb andouille sausage (preferably Aidell’s), sliced
- 1 cup cooked, diced chicken
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoons gumbo filet
- 2 cup chicken stock
- Salt and Pepper
Make the roux: In a heavy saucepan, preferably cast iron, heat the oil until glimmering. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until very dark brown, taking care not to burn. Remove from heat and set aside.
In another saucepan, sauté andouille sausage, onion and green bell pepper in the butter for approximately 10 minutes. Add in 2 cups of good quality chicken stock and simmer for 10 minutes. Let the mixture come to a steady boil. Stir in roux and let simmer for 20 minutes. Add chicken. Salt and pepper to taste.
Dissolve the gumbo filet in 1/2 cup of water. Add to soup, simmer for 10 minutes and serve with cooked Uncle Ben’s converted rice. Gracie uses a 1/2 cup measure to place rice on top of each gumbo serving. Scatter fresh parsley or sprinkle with paprika if you’d like.
Note: The most critical part of this recipe is the roux. Patience! Stir continuously over medium heat with the goal of cooking as long as possible for the darkest brown, just before burning. Paul Prudhomme calls the roux, liquid napalm–be careful!
Wear your best gold, green & purple MardiGras colors and soak up the Louisiana spirit of community and togetherness. The recipe is easily doubled or tripled for your next neighborhood get together.
Laissez bon temps rouler–Let the good times roll!!!
My Neighbor Totoro
1998 Fantasy/Adventure
86 minutes
Rated G
This delightful tale features two sisters who move with their father to an old country house to be near their ailing mother who is in the hospital. Adventure ensues in the wondrous forest inhabited by spirits. This family film is made for the world we should live in, rather than the one we occupy. No bad guys. No fighting. As Roger Ebert said, “A world where if you meet a strange towering creature in the forest, you curl up on its tummy and have a nap.” Lovingly crafted, it will make you smile again and again.
My Neighbor Totoro has won numerous awards and is widely regarded as one of the greatest animated films of all time. Totoro also serves as the mascot for the highly acclaimed Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli. The director, Hayao Miyazaki, is considered one of the most accomplished filmmakers in the history of animation.
There are forest nymphs of all sizes, a magic “Cat Bus” and an iconic cuddly character named Totoro. The Japanese animation is simple and wondrous providing a nurturing experience for all ages. Settle in, relax and let your imagination take you away to a friendly forest, full of love and giggles.
Movie Magic gives Hustle 4 1/2 Moons out of five.
