Instructions: What a marvelous harmonic convergence: the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras - Americas two favorite midwinter festivals - happening at the same time in Americas favorite party city, New Orleans.

As if we needed it, Super Bowl Sunday is the perfect excuse to try some easy - really! - Cajun or creole cuisine.

Actually, Mardi Gras isnt until Feb. 12, but the fortnight of parades leading up to it has already begun. and if you want to be further confused, Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year occur on the same day - so, lets see how the politically correct sort that one out.

For a Mardi Gras party, dont forget to deck your home in the traditional

Carnival colors: gold, green and purple - symbolizing power, faith and justice.

(And forget the guilt: Without the 49ers or Raiders in the game, you are free to abandon their cardinal-and-gold and silver-and-black color schemes.)

To set the mood, have plenty of traditional Louisiana music - jazz, Cajun, zydeco ... Clifton Chenier, the Balfa Brothers, Beausoliel and Professor Longhair.

And, of course, serve up Creole and Cajun fare such as gumbo, jambalaya, etouffee and red beans and rice.

All of these dishes need nothing more for accompaniment than a salad and a loaf of French bread.

My Super Bowl Jambalaya may not be authentic - I added rice to stretch the shrimp - but it delivers a medley of New Orleans flavors in a one-dish meal.

If your budget is generous, consider smoked oysters, spiced shrimp cocktail, crab and artichoke dip - or, if youre feeling frisky, peel and eat a crawfish.

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