Making the Most of Mardi Gras in the Cafeteria!

Mardi Gras is a fun opportunity to bring a carnival celebration to your cafeteria.  Parade your customers through a New Orleans-inspired menu and a salad bar filled with gold, purple, and green fruits and vegetables. Thank you to our market basket brokers for providing the inspiring information below to help make your Fat Tuesday a winner!

               

Can you really celebrate Mardi Gras without Dirty Rice or Jambalaya? 

Hormel Foods provided a Pork Carnita Jambalaya recipe using Market Basket favorites like Hormel Boneless FF Ham and Hormel Pork Carnitas blended with spices, veggies, and rice. We can almost smell the deliciousness! 

Tyson shared a center of the plate Chicken & Dirty Rice Culinary Creation!  Cajun Blackening Seasoning to get the celebration started using Market Basket Breaded Chicken Drumstick and Hillshire Farms Beef Crumbles. Who’s getting “dirty” in their cafeteria? 

Step Out of the Ordinary!

Explore a new unique dish during your celebration!  RICH’S is starting the idea of a New Orleans-inspired favorite using Market Basket Proof ‘N Bake Pizza Dough to create a Mile High Muffuletta using your customer's favorite cold cuts.

This Tyson Nola Loaded Burger reminds us sometimes it is all about the EXTRAS!  Introduce your customers to “Remoulade Sauce” created with Greek yogurt, tomato paste, and spicy cajun seasonings! Tyson offered additional Market Basket items that would pair well with a side of remoulade including the Tyson Breaded or Grilled Chicken Filet, Bosco Cheese Sticks, or the State Fair Chicken Chili Cristpito!

Cook Up the Cajun!

Bring on the color with this festive Land O Lakes Spicy Cajun Chicken and Pasta using Market Basket Ultimate Creamy White Cheese sauce and whole grain pasta. Jazz up this cheesy dish with Mardi Gras-inspired purple, green, and gold veggies for the WIN! 

What is a Mardi Gras Celebration without a King Cake?

Fat Tuesday is the final hoorah for Mardi Gras, so why not celebrate with a sweet!  RICH’s shared this Fruity Cobblestone Muffin offering 2G and a 1/4c fruit per serving!

                        Lunchroom Party Favors!

Serving these fun Mardi Gras-inspired creations in an eye-catching container will take your celebration to a whole new level!  Consider Market Basket Huhtamaki Red Plaid Food Trays, Fiber Lunch Trays, or fun White Paper Cups!

Using the Market Basket!

A few extras shared by Tyson will be Mardi Gras and everyday favorites…  Spicy Buffalo Po’Boy, Ultimate Rajun Cajun Soup, and a Blackened Chicken Sandwich! 

Having trouble navigating the market basket or finding new pairings to build a creditable breakfast, lunch, or snack? Our food consultants are always here to assist, reach out at any time, always here to help. Not an AEA Purchasing Cooperative Food Member?  We would love the opportunity to talk, email megan@aeapurchasing.org.

Spotlighting our members on AEA Purchasing social platforms is our favorite, please share your Mardi Gras photos and stories with us!