Pasta lovers will enjoy a traditional stuffed pasta during National Tortellini Day on February 13th!
Tortellini is a signature dish from the Italian region of Bologna, where they claim to have created this stuffed pasta packed with flavor. Ravioli, tortellini, and tortellacci are all part of the same family of stuffed pasta. The most common fillings for tortellini are ham, white meat, and Parmesan cheese.
Members of an organization called The Learned Order of the Tortellini in the city of Bologna wear special hats to their meetings that are red and gold and shaped like tortellini. They also wear a ribbon, around their neck that has a gold tortellini hanging on it. The Learned Order of the Tortellini has a large membership dedicated to the preservation of the traditional tortellini.
There are many ways to prepare a tortellini dish. You may want to top it with a cheese sauce, cream sauce, pesto or tomato sauce, or follow one of the thousands of cooking blogs available for a great tortellini recipe.
February 10th, National Cream Cheese Brownie Day shines a spotlight on an irresistible dessert bar. Combining chocolate and cream cheese has long been a favorite in the bakery. When it’s added to a brownie recipe the results are spectacular.
The brownie has been around since the 1800s but was first documented in 1906 in The Boston Cooking School Cook Book. There are hundreds of cream cheese brownie recipes. However, we also enjoy them cut up into parfaits or mixed into ice cream. Add a dollop of whipped cream, berries or a sprinkle of nuts and fruit and they become a decadent dessert in their own right.
Adding cream to the batter once it’s poured into the pan and swirling it around with a knife gives the finished product an elegant look. It even suggests a celebration when you look at it! No matter how you enjoy cream cheese brownies, we are sure that you will find one that you like.
Maybe you would like to bake a pan of these delicious brownies and share them with your family and friends! Enjoy my fun easy recipe. If you missed these Easy Loaded Brownies this recipe is great the whole year through.
Use #CreamCheeseBrownieDay to post on social media.
On February 8, National Iowa Day recognizes The Hawkeye State.
The 29th state to join the United States is known for fertile prairie, rolling hills, raising innovative people and some nostalgic movie moments. From the Mississippi River to the harvests in Plymouth, Harrison or Fremont counties, Iowa’s history, beauty and hospitality flourish.
For starters, Iowa is home to the oldest city in the state, Dubuque. Dubuque was founded in 1788, making it the oldest city in Iowa and one of the oldest settlements in the entire Midwest. Dubuque is also home to the oldest standing church in Iowa, the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which was built in 1833.
Another interesting fact about Iowa is that it has the highest per capita number of bowling alleys in the United States. There are over 400 bowling alleys in the state, which is a lot considering the population of Iowa is only around 3.2 million people. This makes Iowa the perfect destination for anyone looking to spend a day or evening knocking down some pins.
In addition to its love of bowling, Iowa is also home to a number of unique festivals and events. One of the most well-known is the RAGBRAI, or the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. This event is a week-long bike ride that takes place in July and attracts thousands of participants from around the world. The route changes every year, but it always ends up in a different city in the state.
Another quirky festival in Iowa is the National Hobo Convention, which takes place every year in the town of Britt. The convention is a celebration of the hobo lifestyle and attracts hobos and hobo enthusiasts from all over the country. It includes a hobo parade, a hobo queen coronation, and a hobo museum.
The state was named for Iowa Native Americans who populated the area when European settlement forced Eastern tribes westward.
Acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase, Iowa Territory settlement didn’t start to take place until around the 1830s.
Iowa Official
State Capital – Des Moines State Nickname – The Hawkeye State State Motto – Our Liberties We Prize State Language – English State Bird – Eastern Goldfinch State Vegetable – Sweet Corn State Soil – Toma Soil State Crop – Corn & Soybeans State Rock – Geode State Tree – Oak State Song – Song of Iowa
Other Fascinating Faces and Places
One of the later settlements that remain today is the Amana Colony. A congregation of the Community of True Inspiration, their faith and persecution in Germany led them to immigrate to America for religious freedom. Iowa supplied fertile farmland and a home for them to practice their skills and their beliefs. Today, they open their community to the public. Shop for handmade gifts, homemade baked goods, wine and stay for a home-cooked meal.
In the southwestern part of the state, Madison County boasts beautiful covered bridges which were featured in the movie by a similar name. While touring the bridges, be sure to stop by Winterset and take in the birthplace of John Wayne.
For fantastic performances in a historic rock and roll venue, check out the events at the Surf Ballroom. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper played their last concerts at the Surf Ballroom the night they perished in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.
Iowa is also home to a number of strange and unusual attractions. One of these is the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, which is located in Walcott. The museum is dedicated to the history of trucking and features a collection of vintage trucks, as well as a variety of trucking memorabilia.
Another unusual attraction in Iowa is the National Balloon Museum in Indianola. The museum is dedicated to the history of hot air balloons and features a collection of vintage balloons, as well as a variety of ballooning equipment. Visitors can also take a ride in a hot air balloon at the museum, which offers some of the best views in the state.
In addition to its museums and festivals, Iowa is also home to a number of unique natural attractions. One of these is the Maquoketa Caves State Park, which is located in the eastern part of the state. The park is home to a number of underground caves that visitors can explore, as well as a number of hiking trails and picnic areas.
Nature lovers will find plenty of adventure in Iowa. Effigy Mounds National Park will satisfy those with a mystical and historical curiosity. Rockhounds should seek out Geode State Park. The Corps of Discovery’s Louis and Clark Trail come through Iowa, too.
One more unusual fact about Iowa is that it is home to the world’s largest Strawberry Shortcake. The giant dessert was created in 2009 as part of the annual Strawberry Fest in the town of Strawberry Point. The shortcake was over 10 feet in diameter and featured over 5,000 servings of strawberries, cake, and cream. It was so big that it had to be sliced and served to the crowd in pieces.
From the Quad Cities to Shimek Forest, Iowa offers city and country to explore. Join us as we examine the 29th state’s dynamic people and pioneering history. Travel byways and discovery Iowa’s stunning scenery! Use #NationalIowaDay to share on social media.
Each year on National Chopsticks Day, people worldwide celebrate the humble and ancient utensils on February 6th.
Around 1200 B.C., Chinese cooks began using chopsticks to prepare food. These tools were likely long enough to reach into hot cooking pots. Then about 400 B.C., when fuels for cooking became scarce, food was prepared in smaller pieces reducing the number of resources needed to cook it. At the same time, the need for sharp eating utensils faded, and shorter chopsticks entered the scene.
Once these handy eating tools found their way to the dinner table, they spread around the world. Portable and elegant in their design, they also vary in style from region to region.
Today chopsticks may be made from wood such as bamboo or aspen. Elaborately carved chopsticks may be cut from jade, ivory, or wood, and artisans may ornately paint some chopsticks with miniature scenes.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalChopsticksDay
Use chopsticks to eat your meals. Practice using chopsticks or teach someone how to use them. Share your favorite set of chopsticks or your favorite meal to eat with chopsticks. Visit your favorite restaurant where chopsticks are provided. Make sure you give them a shoutout, too! Of course, you should invite someone to celebrate with you, also! Maybe ask them to join you in a chopstick competition to see who is the most proficient using them. Be sure to use #NationalChopsticksDay to share on social media.
National Frozen Yogurt Day on February 6th recognizes a sweet frozen dessert that has gone from fad status to staple freezer item in a few decades.
Frozen yogurt sales are increasing every year as people want a healthier alternative to ice cream, especially for breakfast. The explosion of flavors and topping choices add to the popularity of frozen yogurt.
H.P Hood developed the first frozen yogurt in 1970 in the United States. It was created as a soft-serve treat called Frogurt. Not long afterward, Humphreys and Dannon released their own versions of frozen yogurt. Its popularity grew in the 80s, mostly due to frozen yogurts “health food” status. Ice cream manufacturers soon caught on, offering low-fat options.
Frozen yogurt is again making a comeback as consumers have begun to prefer the tart taste of yogurt. Not only does it find its way into home freezers, but it also is a sweet stop after work or play.
While the origins of this frozen food holiday remain a mystery, don’t let it stop your enjoyment. We’re going to top our frozen yogurt with some sprinkles, whipped cream, and gummy bears. Try it on top of Nuetella covered waffles, topped with fresh berries too.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFrozenYogurtDay
Enjoy your favorite flavor of frozen yogurt. It’s possible to even make your own. Check out the recipes below or even make another dessert using frozen yogurt. Invite someone to join you in your celebration, too. Add toppings or blend in some fruit. Tell us about your favorites or share a recipe.
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