If you're interested in cooking authentic Louisiana fare for Mardi Gras, look toward a plethora of awesome cookbooks that have come from New Orleans recently. Cooking Up a Storm features tons of classic savory recipes, and when it comes to desserts, you can't go wrong with Damn Good Sweet.
It's full of delicious-sounding treats like red velvet cake, lemon icebox pie, and the creamy luscious banana pudding seen here.
This pudding is relatively quick and easy to prepare; however, you do need several hours for it to chill. The vanilla wafer topping is a necessary step, as it adds a crisp textural contrast to the thick smooth pudding. Next time I make this, I will serve it with a dollop of whipped cream as well. Want to look at the recipe? Read more.
Kids go bananas for the yellow fruit! The sweet, portable food is a tot favorite – often one of the first solids a lil one eats and one they continue to ask for as they grow. According to 
Yesterday The New Yorker published 
Make the cleanup easier than ever for your next fiesta by serving up fried beef-and-egg empanadas to whet your guests' appetites — then creating a baked banana version to close out the night. There'll be no forks or spoons necessary! Want either (or both) recipes? Just 
Graphic design haven 
