As winter tightens its grip, a Hot Buttered Rum sounds like the perfect drink to warm up your day. But I have never made one so I, of course, turned to the internet and you can find lots of ideas. My favorite site includes a video, how to make a single cup, how to make … Continue reading National Hot Buttered Rum Day
Recipe
National English Toffee Day
This National Day celebrates one of my favorite treats. This buttery delight is terrific, often covered in chocolate, sometimes with crushed nuts added. Over the counter applications include the popular Heath Bar. You can also find options at quality confectioners. Or make some at home from the excellent website below: https://www.thespruceeats.com/english-toffee-520453 As always you can … Continue reading National English Toffee Day
National Eggnog Day
Happy Christmas Eve. Don't you love how grocery stores are stocked with eggnog between Thanksgiving and New Years? Ever try to make your own? Well, here are three recipes. First be aware that drinking raw eggs have all kinds of risks so take care if you are pregnant or have auto-immune or other health issues. … Continue reading National Eggnog Day
National Cocoa Day
By which we mean Hot Cocoa! That delicious frothy topped warming beverage so loved as winter settles into the Northern Hemisphere. You could order it from your favorite coffee shop, but that can get expensive and requires a special trip. You can buy pre-packaged brands at the supermarket but it often contains chemical stabilizers, flavors … Continue reading National Cocoa Day
Grab and go – an entire breakfast in one muffin!
I recently tried a breakfast muffin recipe found on http://www.purewow.com. It is a savory muffin and quite delicious. In the center is a full, peeled, hard-boiled egg (you can use your own method to hard boil instead of the recipe's method, but do be sure to peel it before inserting in the muffin!). In addition … Continue reading Grab and go – an entire breakfast in one muffin!
National Cookie Day
As noted earlier this week, I no longer bake masses of Christmas Cookies because of my limited New York City kitchen. That doesn't mean I don't continue to collect interesting cookie recipes. When I did the massive bakeoff I always included my two favorites - Snickerdoodles and Ginger Snaps. What if someone combined those into … Continue reading National Cookie Day
National Cookie Cutter Day
As the December holidays speed toward us, it is time to start making preparations. For me that used to mean making a huge numbers of cookies to distribute to family and friends. Before moving to New York City I had houses and kitchens large enough to support the hobby. That scale of operations are not … Continue reading National Cookie Cutter Day
National Gingerbread Cookie Day
When I saw that National Gingerbread Cookie Day was coming up I dug into my recipe collection and was surprised to find only Gingersnap and not Gingerbread Cookie recipes. So I turned to one of my favorite recipe sources - http://www.foodnetwork.com and found a nice recipe. Here it is, properly attributed. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gingerbread-cookies-101-recipe-1963337 =============== Gingerbread Cookies … Continue reading National Gingerbread Cookie Day
National Bundt Cake Day
A bundt cake travels pretty well, simple, delicious, always welcome at pot lucks and holiday parties. Included here - a boozy version that has always been welcomed this time of year. No kidding - no one under 21 and make sure you have a designated driver... =============== RUM BUNDT CAKE INGREDIENTS: 1 package Duncan Hines … Continue reading National Bundt Cake Day
National Spicy Guacamole Day
Who doesn't like guacamole? Check out this recipe which makes the tastiest guac I've ever sampled. Enjoy! =============== GUACAMOLE INGREDIENTS: 2 avocado, ripe1/2 small onion, minced1 teaspoon kosher salt1 garlic clove, minced and mashed4 teaspoons fresh lime juice1/2 teaspoon ground cumin1 jalapeno, seeded and minced3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chop METHOD: Mash and mince garlic with … Continue reading National Spicy Guacamole Day
National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day – and my recipe
Today's National Day was not founded by the prolific publisher of that 1990's series but by a fan group in 2002. Sure, you can celebrate by reading inspirational selections from that series, by I suggest you make Chicken Soup for the Tummy by following the recipe below I have developed over the years. I like … Continue reading National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day – and my recipe
National Deviled Eggs Day
"Deviled" Eggs have been made for centuries and in many cultures but is especially popular in the USA and most especially in our southern states. Simple concept really. Hard boil eggs, slice in half, scoop out the yolks to mix with add-ins (think mayonnaise or mustard, creative flavors), whipped together and scooped or piped into … Continue reading National Deviled Eggs Day
National Candy Corn Day
Waxy Candy Corn doesn't taste very good and has no distinctive flavor of its own. Not sure why it is so popular, but I will pop a palmful into my pie hole if given the chance. You could get creative and make your own, like this recipe from Alton Brown. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/candy-corn-recipe2-2120004 Or make a themed … Continue reading National Candy Corn Day
National Boston Cream Pie Day
Mmmmm. I love Boston Cream Pie, though usually I get it in donut form when I do get it. What if you could make it at home? Try This... Homemade Boston Cream Donuts made by Farideh Sadeghin that you can make too. Below is a recipe link and video you might enjoy. Be aware that … Continue reading National Boston Cream Pie Day
Foodie Confession and possible solution
If you read this blog regularly you know I enjoy eating and making great food. I like making my own pasta, baking my own sourdough bread and even inventing my own triple process delicious barbecue baby back rib recipe. But I have a confession to make. There are certain low brow foods I absolutely crave. … Continue reading Foodie Confession and possible solution
October is National German-American Heritage Month & National Pretzel Month!
Not surprisingly with all the OctoberFest hype that this month is both National German-American Heritage Month and National Pretzel Month at the same time! To celebrate use one of my favorite celebrity chef's homemade pretzel recipe. First the video... https://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/altons-homemade-soft-pretzels-0170183 And now the actual recipe... https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe-1948242 ENJOY! Breadbasket with traditional Bavarian pretzels with German flag. … Continue reading October is National German-American Heritage Month & National Pretzel Month!
National Pecan Cookie Day
Today is National Pecan Cookie Day and there is only one that satisfies me - try this recipe for a copycat version and hope you enjoy. Combine and set aside 1 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Cream 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, 1/2 cup white sugar, and 1/2 … Continue reading National Pecan Cookie Day
The Return of “Good Eats”
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”
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
