National Potato Chip Day

There is nothing like sitting down and having some crunchy, salty potato chips. Jumping into a bag right now to celebrate, licking fingers between typing....(That sounded gross)

Did you know that 1.2 billion pounds of potato chips are devoured each year in the United States? It is no surprise that they are America's favorite snack food. Potato chips are thin slices of potato that are deep fried or baked until crispy.

Potato chips were invented in Saratoga Springs in 1853 by an Irish chef named George Crum. One day, a customer continuously sent the fried potatoes that Crum made back to the kitchen, complaining that they were too thick and soggy. Fed up, Crum decided to slice the potatoes so thin so that they could not be eaten with a fork. The customer was so pleased with Crum's creation that they became a regular item on the restaurant's menu!

It was not until the 20th century that potato chips were first produced for home consumption. Today, the potato chip market generates billions of dollars of revenue around the world. To celebrate National Potato Chip Day, enjoy some of your favorite potato chips with your lunch or dinner!

March is National Peanut Month

March is National Peanut Month.  It is a celebration that takes place to recognize America's love for the Peanuts. Whether you like them boiled, roasted served in a paper bag at a ball park, used to top salads, or squished into your favorite peanut butter sandwich , you can find peanuts in all kinds of recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

 Peanut History and Facts

National Peanut Month had its beginnings as National Peanut Week in 1941. It was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1974. 

• Peanuts are not actually nuts at all! They are legumes, like beans, peas and lentils.
• Americans eat 3 pounds of peanut butter per person every year. That's about 700 million pounds, or enough to coat the floor of the Grand Canyon!
• Peanuts may be a favorite food, but we've found many uses for their shells too! You might find peanut shells in kitty litter, wallboard, fireplace logs, paper, animal feed and sometimes as fuel for power plants!
• Two peanut farmers have been elected President of the United States: Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter.
• One acre of peanuts will make 30,000 peanut butter sandwiches. 

Nutritional Information

Peanuts are a good source of protein and nutrients. One serving of peanuts is a good source of protein, Vitamin E, Niacin, Foliate, Phosphorus and Magnesium. Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat. In some instances, they can also help with weight loss.

Recipes

Boiled Peanuts

 This is a favorite of ours.  We will eat them day and night.  And when I can't find them through vendors, I make my own.

Cook Time: 25 minutes           Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 cups peanuts, raw and in the shell
• 6 cups water
• 2 1/2 teaspoons salt

Directions:  In a large saucepan, bring peanuts (in shell), water, and salt to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes. When peanuts are done, the peanuts should have swollen to fill the pods. The peanuts will be somewhat chewy. Serve hot in the shell.

Peanut Butter Fudge

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, plus more for greasing pan
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 pound powdered sugar 

Directions:  Microwave butter and peanut butter for 2 minutes on high. Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and powdered sugar to peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. Pour into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan lined with waxed paper. Place a second piece of waxed paper on the surface of the fudge and refrigerate until cool. Cut into 1-inch squares.

Enjoy National Peanut Month!  What are some of your favorite ways to eat peanuts?

National Margarita Day

Ok, I am starting to see a patten emerge here...................Now that we have made it through National Wine day on Friday we have National Margarita Day to celebrate today.  I cannot think of any beneficial reasons to have a Margarita, but then again who needs one?  So if you are interested in celebrating here is a little more information for this grand day!

Hey tequila lovers -- it's National Margarita Day! There are dozens of people who claim to be the creators of the first margarita drink. One of whom is a bartender named Willie from Mexico City. He says that in 1934 he concocted the drink for his friend, Marguerite Hemery (whom he named the drink after).

Salvador Negrete is another man who claims to be the inventor of margaritas. The day before his brother's marriage in 1936, Salvador presented the margarita cocktail as a wedding present to Margarita (his sister-in-law). There are various other stories of the drinks invention, but the true identity of the tequila master remains unknown.

To celebrate National Margarita Day, invite some friends over to make your own margarita bar. Set up a potluck for each person to bring ice, tequila, and different margarita flavors. Don't forget the limes!    Punchbowl

Drink Wine Day

According to the American Food Holiday website February 18th is National Drink Wine Day!

Pop the cork and enjoy some bubbly, February 18th is Drink Wine Day! The list of benefits for drinking wine is getting longer and longer by the minute. Here are just a few you can check out.  Drinking a glass of wine a day makes your heart healthy, reduces forgetfulness (I really need to drink more!), helps you lose weight, boosts your immunity, and helps prevent bone loss.

Wine has been produced for thousands of years around the world. From classical Greece and Rome to the modern day, it's no wonder why the art of making wine has been perfected over the years. Evidence of the earliest European wine production has been uncovered at archaeological sites in Macedonia, dating back over 6,500 years ago! In China, traces of crushed grapes were also found that dated from the second and first millennium BC.

Did you know that there are over 20 million acres in the world that are dedicated to growing grapes to make wine? To celebrate Drink Wine Day, be sure to check out local wineries, bars, and liquor stores in your area as many host special events for this holiday. Or what better time than tonight to host your very own wine tasting party!

So, here's a toast to you!  May you drink in good health!

National Coffee Break Day

 According to the National Coffee Association of U.S., Thursday is "National Coffee Break Day."

The Coffee Association is encouraging everyone on Thursday, Jan. 20 to take a break from their work day and enjoy a cup of coffee.

According to folks from the Coffee Association, a workday coffee break is not only beneficial for a worker's overall health, but it makes them more productive and motivated employees.

You can find out about any events going on in your community at NationalCoffeeBreak.org.

National Bubble Bath Day

My favorite all time thing to do is to relax in the bathtub full of bubbles reading a good book.  No one knocks on the door or makes requests from me during this time.  Ahhhhh my little piece of Heaven.  So imagine my surprise when I find out that today is National Bubble Bath Day!  Guess where I am heading to celebrate?

Light some candles, turn on some music and relax your cares away.  Remember, no phones or any other types of interruptions allowed.  That blogging can wait just a little longer.........

Enjoy!-- you deserve it!

National Chocolate Candy Day

Chocolate candy is the perfect treat to enjoy at any occasion or time of the day! Chocolate has the ability to absorb the aroma of food it is stored near, which is why chocolate candy bars all smell distinctly different depending on the ingredients inside the candy bar.


Did you know that during the Second World War, the U.S. Government commissioned Milton Hershey to create a candy bar that would be included in the soldier's rations? The candy bar chosen was the famous Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar.

Today, chocolate is still clearly an American favorite treat as 2.8 billion pounds are consumed annually. That is equivalent to over 11 pounds per person! To celebrate National Chocolate Candy Day, enjoy some of your favorite types of chocolate candy. You can start your diet tomorrow, right?   Punch Bowl

National Cupcake Day

Cupcakes have been an edible American icon since the 19th century. Prior to cupcakes, ingredients used in baking were primarily weighed rather than measured. These delightful little treats shifted the art of baking from weighing to measuring ingredients.

For a while cupcakes were known as one-two-three-four cakes because of their recipe: one cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour, four eggs, plus one cup of milk and one spoon full of baking soda. This formula is still the traditional cupcake recipe that many people use today.

Fun fact: the world's largest cupcake was on display in July 2009 at the Covent Garden Real Food Market in London. This cupcake was about 4 feet in diameter and weighed over 330 pounds! It also contained 200 eggs and took over 50 hours to make. Yikes!

Celebrate National Cupcake Day with your favorite cupcake recipe or head to a local cupcake shop to find one that fits your fancy!

National Mousse Day

Mousse is a divine dessert made from eggs and cream. The difference between mousse and a pâté is that a pâté is heavy and mousse is much lighter. This lighter texture is achieved by adding more cream or egg whites, or by beating the ingredients to add air into the mixture.

Did you know that the word "mousse" actually means "foam" in French? Chocolate mousse was once only a specialty of French restaurants during the 1800s, but can now be found in restaurants and households worldwide. The popularity of mousse can be attributed to the many varieties, accomplished by adding chocolate or pureed fruit into the mix.

National Expresso Day

National Espresso Day

The espresso coffee machine was invented in Italy in 1901 by Luigi Bezzera in order to decrease his employees' coffee break time and increase their productivity. Bezzera's machine used steam pressure to force hot water through the ground coffee filters. This allowed coffee to be prepared quickly by the cup on demand and the resulting brew of coffee was also stronger in flavor and body. Bezzera's patent was sold in 1903 to Desidero Pavoni who began commercially producing and distributing the espresso machines throughout Europe. 

Espresso has since become a worldwide, beloved drink of coffee enthusiasts. Between the frothy, smooth texture and pleasant aroma, a cup of espresso is certainly a divine experience.

Celebrate National Espresso Day by purchasing a cup of espresso at your favorite coffee shop or make your own using an espresso coffee machine like the one Luigi Bezzera invented!

Naional Fast Food Day

Ok, do we really need a special day to engorge ourselves with greasy, fattening food?  Hmmm...........I'm in!  I love a good cheeseburger or a hot dog covered with all my favorite toppings.  Burger King, Taco Bell, Wendy's, Sonics and my favorite local Tasty Freeze are my favorite fast food joints.  Do you indulge in fast food?  If you do what are your favorites?

 

November 16, 2010 is

National Fast Food Day

Fast food has become an American staple. There are over 300,000 fast food restaurants in the United States alone, making it nearly impossible to drive down the road without going by at least one fast food chain restaurant.

The concept of ready-cooked food for sale began in Ancient Roman cities that had street stands selling bread and wine. It was not until 1867 though that the first American fast food restaurant, Coney Island hot dog stand, opened in New York.

Since then, dozens of other fast food restaurants have opened and franchised throughout the United States and the rest of the world. Their popularity soared because of their convenience and low prices.

Need more proof of the popularity of fast food? In 1970 U.S. consumers spent $6 billion on fast food. Thirty years later in 2000 U.S. consumers spent $110 billion! Take part in this American tradition and enjoy National Fast Food Day!

National Scrapple Day

Did you know that scrapple is arguably the first pork food invented in America? It was first created more than 200 years ago by Dutch colonists who settled near Philadelphia. It is similar in both composition and taste to Ireland's white pudding and Hog's pudding of West Country in England.

Scrapple got its name because it is composed of "scraps" of pork combined with cornmeal and spices. The mixture is formed into a mostly solid loaf, and then it is sliced and panfried before serving. It is typically eaten for breakfast, topped with syrup or ketchup. Some regions of the United States like New England often mix scrapple in with scrambled eggs. Enjoy National Scrapple Day!

The interesting things we learn on the internet.  And just in case you thought you might like to give it a try some time, I found several recipes.  Here is just one:

Old-Fashioned Scrapple 

The name of this Pennsylvania Dutch dish comes from the chopped "scraps" of cooked pork that are mixed with ground cornmeal broth and seasonings. The squares of scrapple are fried and traditionally served hot for breakfast or brunch.

1 pound boneless cooked pork loin, chopped here
1 cup cornmeal
1 14-1/2 ounce can chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or as needed

In a large saucepan combine pork, cornmeal, chicken broth, thyme and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat and simmer about 2 minutes or until mixture is very thick, stirring constantly. Line an 8x8x2-inch baking pan or a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with waxed paper, letting paper extend 3-4 inches above top of pan. Spoon pork mixture into pan. Cover and chill in the refrigerator 4 hours or overnight. Unmold; cut scrapple into squares. Combine flour and pepper; dust squares with flour mixture. In large skillet brown scrapple on both sides in a small amount of hot oil. Serves 12.

National Deviled Egg Day

Did you know that another name for deviled eggs is eggs mimosa? This delectable dish is a favorite tradition in both American and French cultures. Composed of eggs, mayonnaise, and mustard, deviled eggs can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or a main course.

While deviled eggs originated in ancient Rome, the term "deviled" didn't appear until the 18th century and was used to describe highly seasoned fried or boiled dishes. By the 19th century, the word deviled was used to describe hot seasonings. Today, deviled eggs are not always particularly spicy, but they can be with the use of cayenne pepper or hot mustard.

Deviled eggs are a common holiday or party food, so what better reason to throw a party than National Deviled Egg Day!

National Pumpkin Day

You have heard that there is a time and place for everything.  Well, there is a day for everything as well.  Today October 26, 2010 is National Pumpkin Day! And just in time for Halloween!  How will you celebrate?

During the fall, the world's most common crops appear at full force: pumpkins. Did you know that the word pumpkin means "large melon" in Greek? The oldest known evidence of this fruit (yes, pumpkins are a fruit) dates back to between 7000 and 5500 B.C. 

Pumpkins are commonly cultivated during the autumn months. About 1.5 billion pounds are grown each year in the United States, though they can be grown worldwide on every continent except Antarctica. The largest pumpkin ever grown was by a Wisconsin farmer who claims he used seaweed, cow manure, and fish emulsion to grow his pumpkin. This pumpkin weighed a total of 1,810 pounds and was the size of a dumpster!

Celebrate National Pumpkin Day by carving a pumpkin in time for Halloween and bake the tasty seeds!