Today is National Taco Day and many cultures have appropriated the form to transform the humble Mexican staple into their own signature flavor. Recently the New York Times Food Section showcased a new version: The BLT Taco, so I had to give it a try. I went the simple route lining the tortilla with mayonnaise, … Continue reading National Taco Day
Holidays/National Days
National Popcorn Poppin’ Month
Today is the first day of October which is also National Popcorn Poppin' Month. The message here is to enjoy some popcorn this month whether it comes from fresh popped popcorn at home, or the movies or the ballpark. My favorite and appropriate for this month is the old fashioned sweet popcorn ball. Happy October, … Continue reading National Popcorn Poppin’ Month
National Dumpling Day
Today is National Dumpling Day and while many cultures have their own versions of filled dough fried or baked, my natural inclination is to turn to Chinese Dim Sum. There are many options in New York's Chinatown and likely in your city as well. Recently I had been drawn to a relatively new place in … Continue reading National Dumpling Day
National Cherries Jubilee Day
If you've read this blog before you know I am partial to the taste of cherries. Today's Nation Cherries Jubilee Day brings attention to a cherry classic. Heat fresh cherries in a sauce with Kirschwasser (a cherry liqueur) and pore over vanilla ice cream. Simple perfection. If you've read this blog I tend to have … Continue reading National Cherries Jubilee Day
National Pepperoni Pizza Day – my favorite
Today is National Pepperoni Pizza Day and growing up in Cincinnati this means a LaRosa's Pepperoni Pizza. Luckily this is actually available in New York City once each month at Edward's restaurant at 136 W. Broadway. They also offer Skyline Chili, Montgomery Inn Ribs and Graeter's Ice Cream. It happens on the last Monday of … Continue reading National Pepperoni Pizza Day – my favorite
National Peanut Day
Today is National Peanut Day and it is one of my favorite snacks. You know all about the big peanut names like George Washington Carver and Jimmy Carter. You know that a peanut is not actually a nut but a legume. You know all the products like peanut butter, peanut brittle and Payday bars. But … Continue reading National Peanut Day
National Salami Day
Today is National Salami Day and you should go to Katz's Delicatessen for a taste. It has been in business since 1888 and sells wonderful delicatessen classics like pickles, corned beef, and yes, salami. Sure you could order over the internet (they have changed their URL since their founding in the 19th century so take … Continue reading National Salami Day
My mom’s pig roast celebration
Important note for all vegans, vegetarians and those of a similar mind. Please leave this blog post immediately. Come back tomorrow for fun stuff but you will really hate this and I don't want to upset you. Please. Also for all you young people or sheltered people or people who do not know and do … Continue reading My mom’s pig roast celebration
National Welsh Rarebit Day
Today is National Welsh Rarebit Day and I have a quibble. This is cheese on bread. How does this equate into a cuisine favorite? Cheese on bread. Brilliant. Shouldn't something like this have at least three ingredients? Bread with cheese on it. How was it invented? Did a Welshman take a continental trip and misunderstand … Continue reading National Welsh Rarebit Day
Happy Birthday to my Mom!
As I noted recently, I am riding my Can-Am Spyder down to Florida to celebrate my mother's birthday (which is actually today) - a very special one - but I will not mention the exact multiple decade number. She is celebrating this weekend by preparing a pig roast. Can't wait. One characteristic of my mother … Continue reading Happy Birthday to my Mom!
National Toasted Marshmallow Day
Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day. I suppose it is fitting as we come to the end of the summer camping season. Some people prefer to use Toasted Marshmallows as only a component in something else like S'mores. Me? I'm a purist and love Toasted Marshmallows for their own sake. Their own perfectly melty, crusty, … Continue reading National Toasted Marshmallow Day
National Bowtie Day – Fashion Accessory from Tuxedos to Poodle Skirts
I am thrilled to announce my new gig! A major national fashion magazine has hired me to write about men's fashion trends in my blog! I guess that is because I am such a fashionable guy! They have provided me their first topic and I will today address National Bowtie Day. Historically bowties evolved from … Continue reading National Bowtie Day – Fashion Accessory from Tuxedos to Poodle Skirts
National Peach Pie Day
There are so many delicious harvests at the end of summer and one of the sweetest is fresh peaches. Put them in a pie and you have a wonderful National Peach Pie Day. I'm ready to give it a try this season, how about you? Considering the flavor of political and social discourse today, here … Continue reading National Peach Pie Day
National Filet Mignon Day
Today is National Filet Mignon Day. When I was younger I disdained this cut of meat as devoid of taste and delicious fat. I was known to polish off an entire porterhouse steak all by my lonesome. I have come to appreciate this beef cut and learned to understand quality over quantity. If you are … Continue reading National Filet Mignon Day
National Watermelon Day
Today is National Watermelon Day and it is quite fitting that it occurs in the height of the summer heat. Ready to go and so refreshing. I am not that partial to watermelon, preferring stone fruits in general, but it is a favorite for Pamela. She just discovered that Graeter's has a Watermelon Sorbet flavor … Continue reading National Watermelon Day
National Cheesecake Day
Today is National Cheesecake Day and lips are being licked all around the nation. While standardly based on cream cheese and graham cracker crust, any number of variations have been invented. Pamela has changed her loyalty from Juniors to Gallaghers here in New York City (as you saw in yesterday's NYC Restaurant Week Review, I … Continue reading National Cheesecake Day
Korean War Armistice Remembrance
Sixty five years ago this morning at 10 AM the Korean War Armistice went into effect. Technically we are still at war with North Korea and I am certain much will be made of that anniversary attendant with the recent theatrics surrounding the conflict. Maybe something will actually be accomplished. It is called America's Forgotten … Continue reading Korean War Armistice Remembrance
National Chili Dog Day – or as I know it – Pass Me Another Cheese Coney
Today is National Chili Dog Day, or if you are from Cincinnati - National Cheese Coney Day. Take a humble hot dog on a bun, add mustard, Cincinnati Chili, onions (optional) and mound it high with finely shredded mild cheddar cheese. Recently at the One Mile House Bar on Delancey Street here in New York … Continue reading National Chili Dog Day – or as I know it – Pass Me Another Cheese Coney
National Caviar Day
Today is National Caviar Day - a very tasty and very expensive national day. You can find many kinds and cheaper versions of fish roe all over the place. But I am here to assure you that real stuff, the real expensive stuff is much better. Years ago I was given a gift certificate to … Continue reading National Caviar Day
National Pecan Day
Today is the national day for one of our most versatile nuts - the pecan. I love them in pies, in waffles, frosted with coatings both savory and sweet. Soft, with a laid back tang I will take them in any form I can find them. The only controversy is how these tasty treats are … Continue reading National Pecan Day
The return of sunset Manhattanhenge
About 4.6 billion years ago (give or take) our sun was formed as the center of our solar system. Shortly after (about 4.5 billion years ago) the earth was formed. Earth's axis of rotation tilts in respect to its orbital plane. While it defines the seasons change for the Northern and Southern hemispheres no one … Continue reading The return of sunset Manhattanhenge
National Sugar Cookie Day
Today is National Sugar Cookie Day. Many people long for chocolate chip or complicated crazy complicated cookies. I long for simple perfection like a Snickerdoodle or delicious Sugar Cookie. It should be pillowy on the inside, slightly crunchy on the outside and redolent of butter and plain sugar. If perfectly balanced it is delightful. Too … Continue reading National Sugar Cookie Day
National Fried Chicken Day
I do like fried chicken. If you travel to New York you should try DIRTY BIRD on 14th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. They have some of the best chicken in these parts. But now I have finally made some at home to rival it. I have never made fried chicken that was perfect … Continue reading National Fried Chicken Day
Independence Day
For a very long time the colonies were content to work as subjects of the King. When he tried to extract money to pay for the cost of defending them from the French and various native groups a growing number of colonists fought back to either have full representation in their governing bodies or, failing … Continue reading Independence Day
National Waffle Iron Day
Today is National Waffle Iron Day. Waffle Irons date back to the 14th Century and the Belgians are happy about that. Still, those early models were held over the open fire so I was happy in 1918 when electric waffle irons were introduced. It was a great relief to my tired arms. Today, I generally … Continue reading National Waffle Iron Day
Walter Thinnes 
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