We've all heard of the Sturgeon Roe (fish eggs) Caviar that is the classic and very expensive gourmet item we can't afford. But if you want a luxury taste for much cheaper, look for and try Taramasalata. It is a Greek dish (similar products are from the nearby Balkans and Turkey) that combine a salted … Continue reading National Caviar Day – TryThis – Taramasalata
Food
National Tapioca Pudding Day
Tapioca pudding is a delicious and easy dessert option. My mom used to make it for me and my sister and brother when we were much younger. She would make a big double batch in a large bowl and keep it in the refrigerator. We all clamored for it and she allowed us to sample … Continue reading National Tapioca Pudding Day
National 7-11 Day
This one is easy and a little silly. July 11 is 7-11 day. 7/11? Get it? I don't have much to say about it except that 7-11 has invaded and is beginning to colonize New York City. Just a decade ago we were quirky with little locally owned stores but are now being overrun by … Continue reading National 7-11 Day
July is National Hot Dog Month and National Grilling Month
Warning: you may wish to avoid information at the end of this post if you easily get queasy about the food you eat... You may learn something about hot dogs you already suspected but did not want details about... Summer is certainly the season to grill and hot dogs are a popular item to serve … Continue reading July is National Hot Dog Month and National Grilling Month
National Gingersnap Day
Today I will take a perfectly innocent cookie recipe and turn it carnivorous. I didn't invent this but also don't remember where I saw it. It is simply unusual and delicious. Do you save the grease created when cooking bacon? It is good to fry up other meats, and now to use in a cookie! … Continue reading National Gingersnap Day
TryThis – Smokey Tomato Sauce
If you have a smoker you are likely using it to season meats. Try vegetables too. Here is a terrific recipe I made recently you might like. Preparation for smoking the tomatoes can be found at the end of the post. Our tasty test serving choice. Heat about 4 Tablespoons olive oil in large saucepan … Continue reading TryThis – Smokey Tomato Sauce
National Strawberry Parfait Day
If Strawberries aren't the fruit of summer, some marketing firm has sure been working hard to make it so. When I went looking for recipes for todays special day I found lots with ice cream, various crumbled cookies, rich whipped cream, frozen strawberries, even canned strawberry pie filling. Yuck. You can make it much more … Continue reading National Strawberry Parfait Day
National Ice Cream Soda Day
On a hot summer day there is nothing more refreshing than an Ice Cream Soda. Simple treat, just pour some soda (or pop or Coke or whatever your region of the US calls it) over a scoop or two of ice cream in a glass. The soda blends slightly with the ice cream and bubbles … Continue reading National Ice Cream Soda Day
National Strawberry Shortcake Day
I am always a fan of dessert and Strawberry Shortcake is one of the best exemplars of a summer treat. A delicious sweet biscuit, fresh cold whipped cream and slathered with sexy soaked strawberries, yum. As I prepared this post, I came across a recipe for Vegan Strawberry Shortcake. I had never considered that a … Continue reading National Strawberry Shortcake Day
National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie Today is National Peanut Butter Cookie Day, but I am fond of a slight variation - the Peanut Blossom. Hey, it has a chocolate center. I have your attention now. Start by heating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place one 9 oz package of chocolate candy kisses (unwrapped) in the … Continue reading National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
His own private screen at dinner
Quick note. I recently went to a restaurant where I noted there was a perfectly behaved and quiet child at a nearby table. Then I spied why. He had his own private cartoon show screen on a smart phone for his entire dinner. He was enthralled and paid only half attention to his Cheerios. I … Continue reading His own private screen at dinner
National Rhubarb-Strawberry Pie Day
While I love just straight rhubarb, not everyone can take the puckering power without the kiss of sweet strawberry. So here is a simple pie recipe to match the day. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. In a bowl combine 1 1/2 pounds rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 1/2" pieces, 2 pints strawberries, hulled and … Continue reading National Rhubarb-Strawberry Pie Day
National Donut Day and where to find FREE DONUTS!
Many National Days I feature in this blog are simply an excuse to try a recipe or riff on favorite foods. But today (Friday, June 7, 2019) you can get free goodies at the following shops: My favorite donut shop by far is KRISPY KREME and they offer the best deal of all. You can … Continue reading National Donut Day and where to find FREE DONUTS!
National Veggie Burger Day
While now you will hear me celebrating many meat dishes, not many people know that I was a vegetarian for 13 years starting in my senior year of high school. It was based on my belief that if we avoided feeding animals grain combinations we could direct them to humans and seriously reduce hunger in … Continue reading National Veggie Burger Day
National Rotisserie Chicken Day
There are few better treats than a freshly cooked, crispy skin, moist and juicy rotisserie cooked chicken. Many people pick them up for a quick meal from a shop and indeed this National Day was created by the Boston Market chain. (There is a terrific shop named Malecon here in Northern Manhattan that is worth … Continue reading National Rotisserie Chicken Day
National Hamburger Day
Today's National Day celebrates a ubiquitous American standard - the hamburger. From the humble slider to the fast food staple to the fancy shmancy deluxe versions, they exist in so many forms. Credit is claimed by many to have been the first, but many foundation myths start with cooked ground beef stuck between two pieces … Continue reading National Hamburger Day
National Quiche Lorraine Day
Today's National Food Day celebrates a delicious French tradition of an egg custard pie with delightful flavors. This version originated in the rural Lorraine region and traditionally includes bacon and cheese. Why not be creative and make use of items you might very well have in your refrigerator right now? Preheat your oven to 375 … Continue reading National Quiche Lorraine Day
National “I Love Reese’s” Day
Harry Burnett Reese was born in 1879 to a Pennsylvania farming family. He married in 1900 and eventually had sixteen children. He took many jobs to support his family and in 1917 secured a job on the dairy farm of Milton S. Hershey. Yep, that Hershey. He later moved on to work in the chocolate … Continue reading National “I Love Reese’s” Day
National Apple Pie Day
Today is National Apple Pie Day and later today I plan to bake one just to honor this special day. I'll start with a Pillsbury Pie Crust unrolled and pressed into a glass pie baking dish. Before you get all persnickety about pre-made pie crusts, you can check out exactly why I do so with … Continue reading National Apple Pie Day
National Truffle Day
We're not talking savory here, we're talking chocolate. Filled with a chocolate ganache, it is usually coated in chocolate or perhaps chopped nuts or coconut. Mmmmm. I think I know what's for breakfast! As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
National Bugs Bunny Day!
What's up doc? It's National Bugs Bunny Day in honor of your favorite Wascly Wabbit. It is timed to coincide with his debut in 1938. He looks pretty good for 81. Many National Days I feature are focused on celebrating foods, but not in this case. Wait a minute, maybe so. Hassenpfeffer! As always you … Continue reading National Bugs Bunny Day!
#ATOBTTR comes to New York City
My hometown Cincinnati Reds are in my dearly adopted New York City for a four game series against the Mets. I can't wait and will be watching closely. I will do all I can to help my Reds, including wearing their gear and joining them at CitiField Tuesday night. Of course, all will also be … Continue reading #ATOBTTR comes to New York City
Ultra-Local Endorsement – Broadway Souvlaki
I have done NYC restaurant reviews and Broadway show reviews, but now a review of someplace that is terrific but you are unlikely to ever visit. Broadway Souvlaki is a tiny trailer on the corner of Broadway and Bennett Avenue up here in Northern Manhattan. It is just a short walk from our home and … Continue reading Ultra-Local Endorsement – Broadway Souvlaki
National Animal Cracker Day
Today is National Animal Cracker Day and before we go any further I have no idea why they are called that as they are really cookies. It must have something to do with the fact that the first batch was imported from England in the later 1800's and those Brits have weird names for things … Continue reading National Animal Cracker Day
National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
Mmmmm, I do like me some pork. If you've seen previous meat recipes on this blog you know I lean toward the piggie (Franken-Ribs, Homemade Breakfast Sausage and more...) So I perked up when I saw today's National Day. I was intrigued. My preference is Country Ham - not brined or water injected - but … Continue reading National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
