I've been a big fan of Alton Brown and his "Good Eats" series from the beginning. While I had been a dedicated baker for most of my life I was just warming to cooking beyond the grill and pots of chili when the original show came on. It was perfect. Focus on a single iconic … Continue reading The Return of “Good Eats”
Recipe
National Creamsicle Day
Today is National Creamsicle Day and while there are now many flavors the one I remember from my youth is the luscious orange and vanilla. There was nothing quite like an Orange Creamsicle on a hot summer day. That flavor combination can be recalled in a number of ways, but how about the delicious Creamsicle … Continue reading National Creamsicle Day
A Fun National Day and related Recipe Link!
Today is National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day. If you have a garden you know that right about now you are reaping more zucchini than you can deal with. What a nice/sneaky idea to off load some of that extra bounty on an unsuspecting neighbor! Even if you don't have a garden, … Continue reading A Fun National Day and related Recipe Link!
National Chicken Wing Day
Hard to imagine now but before the mid-sixties, chicken wings were relegated to be used for making chicken stock or soup flavoring. With meager bits of meat and no popular cooking methods they were toss-away portions of the bird. But something happened in Buffalo, New York that made their city known for a new appetizer … Continue reading National Chicken Wing Day
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
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 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 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 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
National Chocolate Mousse Day – again!
Today is National Chocolate Mousse Day and as I prepared my blog post I had a strange sense of déjà vu. Sure enough I looked back and saw that last year I did a post with a recipe from a cooking school I attended. It is a classic approach and lots of hard work and … Continue reading National Chocolate Mousse Day – again!
National Sourdough Bread Day
Today is National Sourdough Bread Day and I have a sourdough starter I have kept active for over a dozen years. Before available commercial yeast, most breads were made with a starter or "sponge." These can be long term or just for one loaf. When you put a slurry of flour and water out it … Continue reading National Sourdough Bread Day
Happy National French Bread Day – and watch me make some!
Today is National French Bread Day and I am salivating. Nothing better than a crusty baguette and a bit of camembert. A bunch of grapes and some fresh walnuts. I'll be right back, amuse yourselves. Maybe you can bake your own, try the link below. Fresh sourdough baguettes are delicious. https://wordpress.com/block-editor/post/walterthinnes.blog/3354 As always you can … Continue reading Happy National French Bread Day – and watch me make some!
National Pi Day
Today is 3.14 and of course math nerds everywhere proclaim it as National Pi Day as it starts the same way! The perfect day to make a pie to celebrate the day. You can check back to my recent February 20 post to link to an absolutely delicious Cherry Pie recipe that I made recently. … Continue reading National Pi Day
National Peanut Cluster Day – and a simple recipe
Today is National Peanut Cluster Day and when peanuts cluster, they like to do it with chocolate. I am here to help. Want a simple homemade candy recipe that includes a fun game? These are called Mystery Flavor Peanut Clusters. Take 2 bags of chocolate chips and 1 bag of butterscotch chips (OK, you know … Continue reading National Peanut Cluster Day – and a simple recipe
National Chili Day – and my choice is Cincinnati Style!
Today is National Chili Day and most people assume that means sautéed meat, kidney beans and a rough tomato sauce. For me it means a delicious Mediterranean influenced smooth meat sauce spooned over spaghetti, topped by chopped raw onion, finely shredded Colby cheese and sprinkled with oyster crackers. For the uninitiated, this is Cincinnati Chili. … Continue reading National Chili Day – and my choice is Cincinnati Style!
National Cherry Pie Day
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love pie and cherry pie is my favorite. And today is the National Day for my favorite. Make some today and share a slice with me. Here's a neat recipe to try tough there are many more out there... https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/cherry-pie/ I have only one quibble … Continue reading National Cherry Pie Day
National Crab Meat Stuffed Flounder Day
Nope, not even kidding. If you've read this blog before you know I delight in bring attention to and often providing recipes related to National Days. (Oh yeah, Happy Presidents Day and no I do not have any related recipes.) So how did this oddly specific National Day come to be? I imagine at some … Continue reading National Crab Meat Stuffed Flounder Day
