Today is National Fig Newton Day (and no, they do not have anything to do with Sir Isaac Newton, but are named after the Massachusetts town where they were first produced). I am not a particular fan of the cookie but as a Baby Boomer have a real fondness for the 1970's commercial campaign where … Continue reading National Fig Newton Day
Food
National Mocktail Week
The second week in January has been named National Mocktail Week. What is a Mocktail? Think of a Shirley Temple but more sophisticated. Alcohol has done plenty of damage to plenty of lives but we all desire a celebratory sip to toast our good fortune. These drinks are becoming more widespread with lots of new … Continue reading National Mocktail Week
National Oysters Rockefeller Day
As I have said previously on this blog, there seems to be a National Day for nearly everything and today's version is Oysters Rockefeller. This dish was famously created by Antionne's restaurant in New Orleans in the late 1800's. It was named as so rich it was fit for a Rockefeller but that was before … Continue reading National Oysters Rockefeller Day
Homemade Breakfast Sausage
Woke up this morning and decided to make my own breakfast sausage. So an unplanned post. I started with Alton Brown's recipe on the Food Network website. You can find it here: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/breakfast-sausage-recipe-2103185 As you can see it is basically a some pork shoulder and fatback ground together with spices. I played with the spices … Continue reading Homemade Breakfast Sausage
Welcome to 2019 and National Bloody Mary Day!
May you have a bright and cheery new year and a prosperous 2019. We decided to eliminate our alcohol intake this holiday, but if you celebrated too heartily last night take solace in the dog that bit you during National Bloody Mary Day. Recipe below. You're welcome. I'll be quiet now. As always you can … Continue reading Welcome to 2019 and National Bloody Mary Day!
National Champagne Day – Happy New Year
Sometimes National Day events seem to be randomly placed on the calendar. Today's National Champagne Day is clearly placed to align with New Year's Eve where marketers are heavily promoting that beverage. However you celebrate tonight, even if you turn in at 9 PM with every intention of waking to turn on the TV just … Continue reading National Champagne Day – Happy New Year
Review – two of my Christmas gifts!
Well children, did you get what you wanted for Christmas? I got two pretty cool gifts that I really liked. Of course they were food related! Two different attachments for my KitchenAid mixer. These workhorse machines have a port on the front that permits handy tools to use the power of the mixer. The first … Continue reading Review – two of my Christmas gifts!
National Fruitcake Day
Today is National Fruitcake Day. Smart alecks make a lot of fun of people who actually like fruitcake. But if you are one of those people you can sign up here: https://www.facebook.com/Fruitcake-Lovers-of-the-World-Unite-196760433903/ Okay, Mark Zuckerberg, do something good and round up all these folks on that page and put them in Gingerbread Gaol. As always … Continue reading National Fruitcake Day
National Egg Nog Day
Not surprisingly National Egg Nog Day falls on Christmas Eve. If you are only leaving milk with cookies for Santa you need to up your game and pour Saint Nick some Egg Nog! And spike it, it's going to be a long night. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
National Date Nut Bar Day
Today is National Date Nut Bar Day. My grandmother made the perfect Date Nut Bar and now my Aunt Priscilla makes them just as well. I have never made them satisfactorily. But here is my 2019 resolution. I must make them perfectly twice and then I will post the recipe. If I cannot you will … Continue reading National Date Nut Bar Day
National Hard Candy Day
Today is National Hard Candy Day, I'm sure intentionally timed for the holidays. When I was a boy my parents always filled our stockings with hard candy, nuts in shells and a few tangerines, which were special in the winter those days. We also walked two miles, uphill both ways in the snow every day … Continue reading National Hard Candy Day
National Maple Syrup Day
Today is National Maple Syrup Day and there is nothing better for flapjacks than real maple syrup. Forget those sugar concoctions and even agave substitutions, nothing tastes like real maple syrup. A few years ago I heard of startling research that shook the maple world. It has always been assumed that tree sap dripped down … Continue reading National Maple Syrup Day
National Gingerbread House Day
Today is National Gingerbread House Day and fitting for the season. Making a Gingerbread House most often comes from a kit nowadays and is primarily to keep little hands busy and out of trouble. Because the Gingerbread walls are made very dry to make them weight supporting and the icing is often dry and brittle … Continue reading National Gingerbread House Day
National Cookie Day!
Today is National Cookie Day which is a rather generic focus but that is fine as I generically like cookies! Cookies are superior because you can get a lot of different types and flavors into a serving whereas a slice of pie or cake is a rather singular approach. If I ever (heaven forbid) had … Continue reading National Cookie Day!
National French Toast Day
Today is National French Toast Day. I like every carb breakfast option from waffles to pancakes. But French Toast holds a special allure. Based on that basic building block of bread if made correctly it is warm, creamy and satisfying. There are many creative ways to create it but at its heart it is simply … Continue reading National French Toast Day
Tired of Turkey? Come to Cincinnati Night at Edwards NYC for alternative!
Had enough of Thanksgiving leftovers? You are in luck! In New York City you will find Edwards Restaurant serving Cincinnati favorites: Montgomery Inn Ribs, LaRosa's Pizza, Skyline Chili (cheese coneys and 4 ways), and Graeters' Ice Cream! I have focused enough on them on this blog but if you are new here check out https://www.edwardsnyc.com/cincinnati-night/ … Continue reading Tired of Turkey? Come to Cincinnati Night at Edwards NYC for alternative!
National Cashew Day
Today is National Cashew Day and I do love to nosh on these delicious nuts. As I started this post I idly wondered why I have never seen cashews in the shell, as I have seen every other kind of nut. Boy did that send me down a rabbit hole. Cashews are technically a seed … Continue reading National Cashew Day
Happy Thanksgiving Feast
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it is all about food. I hope you have a joyous day whether you are totally consumed by family or having quiet day in front of the stove or even the microwave. Enjoy. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
National Gingerbread Day
Today is National Gingerbread Day and not a surprise considering the season. Nothing better than a delicious gingerbread cookie dipped in a steamy hot cup of cappuccino. Ahhh. Enjoy the season. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
President to pardon Turkey
Today is the traditional day when a President pardons a Turkey. No, not himself, that will come later. The names of this year's birds are Peas and Carrots. I think he should Peas a chance but actually I don't Carrot all. Happy Thanksgiving to come soon... As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and … Continue reading President to pardon Turkey
National Homemade Bread Day
Actually TOMORROW (Saturday, November 17, 2018) is National Homemade Bread Day. So why am I telling you today? Simple. Homemade bread takes time and you need to plan ahead to make really worthwhile bread from scratch. Believe me, it is well worth it. I primarily make sourdough bread from a starter I have nurtured for … Continue reading National Homemade Bread Day
National Pickle Day
Today is National Pickle Day and it seems this ancient food is more popular than ever. Last month I visited a New York City Pickle Day on the Lower East Side and it was so crowded with such long lines I couldn't get close to the actual pickles. There are a number of vegetables that … Continue reading National Pickle Day
National Scrapple Day – for me that means Goetta!
Today is National Scrapple Day. Scrapple came to be when butchering communities sold off the valuable cuts of an animal and used the remaining parts with a filler like flour and cornmeal and added spices. After letting the mixture solidify, they sliced it and fried it to create a nutritious and filling and delicious meal. … Continue reading National Scrapple Day – for me that means Goetta!
National Donut Day – for the last time?
Today is National Donut Day and perhaps for the last time. You may have heard that the largest chain, Dunkin' Donuts, has decided to drop its second name. In addition to saving on sign costs they are trying to focus on other products like their coffee and sandwiches. Who will speak for the poor forgotten … Continue reading National Donut Day – for the last time?
National Deviled Egg Day
Today is National Deviled Egg Day. You know, when you hard boil an egg, peel the shell, scoop out the yolk, mix with mayonnaise and mustard and spices and scoop back into the white half. Maybe even dress it up like this: It is called deviled because that was a term for spicy or zesty … Continue reading National Deviled Egg Day
