Category almonds

NATIONAL MACADAMIA NUT DAY

Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

National Macadamia Nut Day on September 4th recognizes a delicious nut found in many baked goods and desserts.

Delectable macadamia nuts have a creamy, buttery taste. These nuts add a subtle richness to everything they grace. Also versatile, macadamia nuts originated in Australia. They were named for the physician and chemist, John Macadam, who discovered them. Macadam also pursued furthering the cultivation of the tree in Australia making it more abundant.  

Similar to large evergreens, the macadamia tree grows between 30 and 40 feet high. Although they are native to Australia, most of today’s world supply grows in Hawaii. Growers first began cultivating macadamia trees in Hawaii in 1921. Indonesia, South Africa, and California also grow this delicious nut commercially. 

365 by Whole Foods Market, Roasted And Salted Macadamia Nuts, 8 Ounce
365 by Whole Foods Market, Roasted And Salted Macadamia Nuts, 8 Ounce
Mauna Loa Premium Hawaiian Roasted Macadamia Nuts, Sea Salt Flavor, 8 Oz
Mauna Loa Premium Hawaiian Roasted Macadamia Nuts, Sea Salt Flavor, 8 Oz
NOW Foods, Macadamia Nuts, Dry Roasted with Sea Salt, Source of Fiber, Gluten-Free and Certified Non-GMO, 9-Ounce (Packaging May Vary)
NOW Foods, Macadamia Nuts, Dry Roasted with Sea Salt, Source of Fiber, Gluten-Free and Certified Non-GMO, 9-Ounce (Packaging May Vary)
Macadamia Nuts | MacFarms Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts 24 OZ (1 Pack) - Premium Roasted Nuts with Sea Salt Fresh From Hawaii, Sea Salt Flavored Healthy Snack
Macadamia Nuts | MacFarms Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts 24 OZ (1 Pack) – Premium Roasted Nuts with Sea Salt Fresh From Hawaii, Sea Salt Flavored Healthy Snack

Like many nuts, macadamia may be eaten raw or roasted. Bakers particularly like to use them in baked goods, such as cookies. They pair exceptionally well with chocolate, too.

Since the macadamia is nutrient-rich, they are known for their health benefits. Being in the nut family has its benefits, too! Macadamias are a valuable source of energy, high in dietary fiber, gluten-free, high in mono-unsaturated fat. They also provide an excellent source of minerals and contain many essential B-complex vitamins. 

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMacadamiaNutDay

Whether you seek a healthy snack or satisfaction for a sweet tooth, this nut has you covered. Try a new recipe. Grab a handful of macadamia nuts for a snack at your desk or bake them into a batch of cookies. Add some to your salad or mix them in with popcorn while watching a movie. Share your ideas, celebrations and more by using #MacadamiaNutDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CHOP SUEY DAY

Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

Get your chopsticks ready!  National Chop Suey Day recognizes this American Chinese culinary cuisine each year on August 29. 

Chop suey, which means assorted pieces, is a dish in American Chinese cuisine. The main ingredients include meat (chicken, fish, beef, prawns or pork) and eggs. As the meat cooks over high heat, add vegetables (usually bean sprouts, cabbage, and celery). The dish is bound in a starch-thickened sauce. Typically, rice accompanies the flavorful dish. 

According to food historian Alan Davidson, chop suey is “A prime example of culinary mythology.” These food myths happen with popular foods. Illustrated below, several colorful and conflicting stories tell of chop suey’s possible origin. 

Chop Suey Stories

Some believe chop suey was invented in America by Chinese Americans. However, anthropologist E.N. Anderson finds another conclusion.  According to Anderson, the word tsap seui means miscellaneous leftovers and hails from Taishan, a district of Guangdong Province.  Many early Chinese immigrants traveled from their home in Taishan to the United States.

Another account claims Chinese American cooks who were working on the transcontinental railroad invented chop suey in the 19th century.

Quote mark

A prime example of culinary mythology. ~ Alan Davidson on the origin of chop suey.

One tale stemming from the Quing Dynasty connects to premier Li Hongzhang’s visit in 1896. According to the story, his chef wanted to create a meal suitable for both the Chinese and American palates. Another version of the story tells that Li wandered to a local Chinese restaurant after the hotel kitchen closed. Even though the chef was embarrassed because he had nothing prepared to offer, he made a dish for Li. Comprised of leftover scraps, the chef created the new “chop suey” dish. 

Still another myth tells of an 1860s Chinese restaurant cook in San Francisco. After hours, the chef was forced to serve something to the drunken miners. He had nothing fresh to offer. However, to avoid a beating, he threw leftovers in a wok, providing a makeshift meal to the miners. The miners loved the dish, asking him for the name of the dish.  To which the chef replied, “Chopped Sui.”  

Traveling to the United States in 1903, Liang Oichao, a Guangdong native, wrote that there existed a food item called chop suey. While regularly served by Chinese restaurateurs, the local Chinese people did not eat this dish.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalChopSueyDay

Of course, the directive of the day would be to enjoy some chop suey. But why stop there?

  • Take a cooking class and learn to make it yourself.
  • Pick up a Chinese American cookbook and find a new recipe.
  • Share your favorite chop suey recipe.
  • Give a shout out to the restaurant that cooks it best. We love it when you do that!

Be sure to use #NationalChopSueyDay to post on social media.

National Chop Suey Day: Best Activities & Things To Do On National Chop Suey Day: Way to Have a Good National Chop Suey Day #NationalChopSueyDay
National Chop Suey Day: Best Activities & Things To Do On National Chop Suey Day: Way to Have a Good National Chop Suey Day
Chop Suey, USA: The Story of Chinese Food in America (Arts and Traditions of the Table: Perspectives on Culinary History)#NationalChopSueyDay
Chop Suey, USA: The Story of Chinese Food in America (Arts and Traditions of the Table: Perspectives on Culinary History)
From Canton Restaurant to Panda Express: A History of Chinese Food in the United States (Asian American Studies Today)#NationalChopSueyDay
From Canton Restaurant to Panda Express: A History of Chinese Food in the United States (Asian American Studies Today)
Chinese Takeaway Cookbook: From Chop Suey to Sweet 'n' Sour, Over 70 Recipes to Re-create Your Favourites#NationalChopSueyDay
Chinese Takeaway Cookbook: From Chop Suey to Sweet ‘n’ Sour, Over 70 Recipes to Re-create Your Favourites

NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

National Waffle Day on August 24th commemorates the anniversary of the first waffle iron patent issued. Celebrate by savoring your favorite kind of waffle!

On August 24, 1869, Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York received his patent for the waffle iron. While waffles existed long before then, the invention made waffles more readily available.  

Eaten throughout the world, a waffle is a leavened batter or dough. When cooked between two patterned plates, the dough bakes in the waffle’s characteristic uniform impressed surface. Waffles also come in many forms. Depending on the type of batter or iron used, the resulting waffle varies by consistency, size, shape, and flavor.  

Waffle irons and waffles originated around the 14th century.  An anonymous husband penned the first known waffle recipe as a set of instructions for his wife.  According to the manuscript, Le Ménagier de Paris, each of the four recipes began: 

Beat some eggs in a bowl, season with salt and add wine. Toss in some flour, and mix. Then fill, little by little, two irons at a time with as much of the paste as a slice of cheese is large. Then close the iron and cook both sides. If the dough does not detach easily from the iron, coat it first with a piece of cloth that has been soaked in oil or grease. 

Birch Benders Organic Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix#waffles#NationalWaffleDay
Birch Benders Organic Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix
Mrs. Butterworth Pancake and Waffle Mix#NationalWaffleDay#waffles
Mrs. Butterworth Pancake and Waffle Mix
Krusteaz Light & Crispy Belgian Waffle Mix - No Artificial Flavors, Colors, or Preservatives #NationalWaffleDay#waffles
Krusteaz Light & Crispy Belgian Waffle Mix – No Artificial Flavors, Colors, or Preservatives
Kodiak Cakes Protein Pancake Power Cakes, Flapjack and Waffle Baking Mix, Buttermilk, 20 Oz, (Pack of 6)#NationalWaffleDay#waffles
Kodiak Cakes Protein Pancake Power Cakes, Flapjack and Waffle Baking Mix, Buttermilk, 20 Oz, (Pack of 6)
  •  1911 – First electric waffle iron introduced by General Electric.
  • 1953 – Frank Dorsa’s Eggo Frozen Waffles are sold in Supermarkets for the first time.
  • 1964 – Belgian Waffles debut at New York’s World’s Fair.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalWaffleDay

Enjoy your favorite waffle recipes. Or visit a local restaurant for some fresh served waffles. Restaurants across the country specialize in waffles, crafting delicious combinations for every meal of the day. No matter your preference, there’s a waffle for you!

Invite friends over for a waffle making party. Set up a buffet with fresh fruit, syrups, and nuts. Ask them to bring their best ingredients and get tasting! You never know what you’ll discover. Make it breakfast, brunch, snack or dessert, waffles are very versitile.

True Belgian WafflesClassic Buttermilk WafflesApple Cinnamon WafflesBanana Oatmeal Buttermilk WafflesBest Chocolate Chip Waffles

Use #NationalWaffleDay to post on social media.

Cuisinart WMR-CAP2 Round Classic Waffle Maker, Brushed Stainless,Silver #NationalWaffleDay #waffles
Cuisinart WMR-CAP2 Round Classic Waffle Maker, Brushed Stainless,Silver
DASH Mini Waffle Maker - 4” Waffle Mold, Nonstick Waffle Iron with Quick Heat-Up, PTFE Nonstick Surface - Perfect Mini Waffle Maker for Kids and Families, Just Add Batter (Aqua)#NationalWaffleDay#waffles
DASH Mini Waffle Maker – 4” Waffle Mold, Nonstick Waffle Iron with Quick Heat-Up, PTFE Nonstick Surface – Perfect Mini Waffle Maker for Kids and Families, Just Add Batter (Aqua)
BELLA Classic Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker with Nonstick Plates, Removable Drip Tray, Adjustable Browning Control and Cool Touch Handles, Black#NationalWaffleDay#waffles
BELLA Classic Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker with Nonstick Plates, Removable Drip Tray, Adjustable Browning Control and Cool Touch Handles, Black
Amazon Basics Waffle Maker 2-Slices White with Non-stick coating and Easy to Clean, 700W#waffles#NationalWaffleDay
Amazon Basics Waffle Maker 2-Slices White with Non-stick coating and Easy to Clean, 700W

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

On August 4th, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day gives us an opportunity to dunk American’s #1 favorite cookie. Whether yours are homemade or storebought, pour a glass of milk and enjoy.

Without chocolate chips, the cookie would still be number one. Or would it?

Nestle Toll House, Milk Chocolate Morsels, 23 oz by Nestle
Nestle Toll House, Milk Chocolate Morsels, 23 oz

by Nestle

For that reason, we also recognize Ruth Graves Wakefield on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. Thanks to her inventiveness and curiosity, chocolate chips and a cookie dough go together. And for this reason, we hover around ovens savoring the moment the timer dings. Don’t forget World Chocolate Day too.

How the Chocolate Chip Cookie Began

Imagine if Ruth Graves Wakefield hadn’t run out of baker’s chocolate for her cookie recipe that day in 1937. Because that’s what happened. The cookie recipe she was preparing called for baker’s chocolate and would have blended smoothly into the dough. However, she was out. And what if Mrs. Wakefield hadn’t considered using semi-sweet chocolate instead? She figured it would just melt into the dough and work much like the baker’s chocolate.

Or, what if someone had interrupted Ruth Graves Wakefield that day and caused the cookies to burn and ruin the experiment?

Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips - 12 oz - 3 pk by Ghirardelli
Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – 12 oz – 3 pk

by Ghirardelli

Well, none of that happened. Instead of interruptions or doubts, the baker added the chocolate to the dough. Moments later the mouthwatering aroma began to waft from Mrs. Wakefield’s oven. Perhaps the smell lured a child into the kitchen. Or maybe a guest at the Tollhouse Inn she and her husband owned. We may not know the finer details of the day the chocolate chip cookie came to be. However, we do know Ruth Graves Wakefield made it happen.

Walkers White Chocolate & Raspberry Cookies - 5.3 oz by Walkers
Walkers White Chocolate & Raspberry Cookies – 5.3 oz

by Walkers

And if it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t know the ecstasy of warm chocolate chip cookie melting on our tongue. We know that feeling. When our eyes close in heavenly satisfaction and a perfect smile graces our face. No, if it weren’t for Ruth Graves Wakefield, entire generations would be denied the bliss that is a chocolate chip cookie.

KooK Glass Storage Canister, Clear Jar, With Clear Glass Lid- 1/2 Gallon (Set of 2) by KooK
KooK Glass Storage Canister, Clear Jar, With Clear Glass Lid- 1/2 Gallon (Set of 2)

by KooK

We could even go so far as to say she is responsible for all those other nuggets of goodness. Those morsels of butterscotch, peanut butter, and white chocolate we enjoy in much the same way we enjoy our chocolate delights.  Nothing, though, rates quite as high as the chocolate chip cookie Ruth Graves Wakefield brought to us in 1937. No, nothing.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #ChocolateChipDay

Make your favorite chocolate chip cookies and throw some extra chocolate chips into the mix! Give this recipe a try. Post on social media using #ChocolateChipCookieDay.