NATIONAL CHICKEN MONTH

August 31, 2026August 7, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

For over two decades, the National Chicken Council has banded together with major chicken producers in the U.S. to promote chicken sales in September. As a result, September is known as National Chicken Month! This once slow month, as the summer grilling season waned, has turned into one of the year’s best performing sales periods. September might be the month we find out which came first, the chicken or the egg.

First domesticated for cockfighting, the chicken eventually made its way to the dinner table. Many families have their own homemade spice recipes. A major part of enjoying chicken is the spicing. Food experts have debated for years about the contents of KFC. White pepper, paprika, and even Thousand-Island dressing are among the eleven herbs and spices supposedly in the Colonel’s recipe.

Swanson White Premium Chunk Canned Chicken Breast in Water, Fully Cooked Chicken, 12.5 OZ Can

Kirkland Signature Chicken Breast, 12.5 Ounce (6) (Pack of 6) — Swanson White Premium Chunk Canned Chicken Breast in Water, Fully Cooked Chicken, 12.5 OZ Can

There are 25 billion chickens in the world, making them the most abundant bird species. Did you know all vertebrate species lay eggs? And, all hard-shelled variety eggs originated with reptiles? Chickens, like many birds, are descendants of the dinosaurs. Chickens are relatively closely related to reptiles on the evolutionary chain. In recent decades, many researchers have started describing dinosaurs as more like flightless birds than reptiles. Even though chickens are not entirely flightless, they can get airborne enough to get over a fence or into a tree.

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

Ever wonder why so many different meats like rattlesnake and alligator apparently taste like chicken? Several explanations point to why mainstream Americans tend to have limited experience with judging flavor. Our taste buds, in other words, are not finely tuned. Our meat experiences are limited mostly to beef, pork, and chicken. A gourmet with a seasoned palette has a broader experience, which makes them more apt to identify exotic meats like rattlesnake and alligator.

Chicken is full of health benefits. When eaten without the skin, chicken is very lean. It is carb-free and rich in Vitamins B3 and B6, as well as two important minerals, phosphorus, and selenium. Various parts of the chicken are considered special treats in some countries. For instance, in China, chicken feet are considered a delicacy.

HISTORY

For over two decades, the National Chicken Council has banded together all of the major chicken producers in the U.S. to promote chicken sales in September, turning a once slow month, as the summer grilling season waned, into one of the year’s best-performing sales periods.

Explore More…

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National Poultry Day
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National Chicken & Waffles Day
National Chicken Boy Day
National Chicken Lady Day

HOW TO OBSERVE

There are several ways to observe National Chicken Month. We recommend trying a new recipe. Whether you choose white meat, dark meat, fried, broiled, baked or warmed over, prepare your chicken the way you like it!

Try one of our family favorites…

Use #NationalChickenMonth in social media correspondence.

Emeril Lagasse Dual Zone 360 Air Fryer Oven Combo with French Door, 25 QT Extra Large Family Size Meals to Cook Two Foods in Two Different Ways at The Same Time, Up to 60% Faster from Frozen to Finish#NationalChickenMonth — Emeril Lagasse Dual Zone 360 Air Fryer Oven Combo with French Door, 25 QT Extra Large Family Size Meals to Cook Two Foods in Two Different Ways at The Same Time, Up to 60% Faster from Frozen to Finish

NATIONAL SHRIMP DAY

May 9, 2026April 24, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 6 Comments

Each year on May 10th, National Shrimp Day recognizes America’s favorite seafood. Americans eat more shrimp than any other seafood, and this is the day to celebrate this delicious seafood.

We use the word “prawn” loosely to describe any large shrimp, sometimes known as “jumbo shrimp.” Some countries use the word “prawn” exclusively for all shrimp.

Preparing the shrimp for consumption usually involves removing the head, shell, tail, and “sand vein.” There are many ways to cook shrimp. Standard methods of preparation include baking, boiling, broiling, sauteing, frying, and grilling. Cooking time is delicate for shrimp, and they are at their best when not overcooked.

365 Ultimate Shrimp Recipes: Not Just a Shrimp Cookbook!#NationalShrimpDay — 365 Ultimate Shrimp Recipes: Not Just a Shrimp Cookbook!

Shrimp 365: Enjoy 365 Days With Amazing Shrimp Recipes In Your Own Shrimp Cookbook! (Shrimp Food Dish, Bbq Shrimp Recipe, Pumpkin Shrimp Food, Shrimp Recipe Book, Vegan Shrimp Food) [Book 1]#NationalShrimpDay — 365 Ultimate Shrimp Recipes: Not Just a Shrimp Cookbook!

A healthy food, shrimp, is low in calories and high in omega-3, calcium, iodine, and protein levels. Shrimp is also known to be considered good for the circulatory system.

Popular North America Shrimp Dishes:

Seafood Gumbo: A stew or soup that probably originated in southern Louisiana during the 18th century. Seafood gumbo typically consists of a strongly-flavored stock, shrimp and crab meat (sometimes oysters), a thickener, and seasoning vegetables. Cooks categorize Gumbo by the type of thickener used: okra, the Choctaw spice, file powder (dried and ground sassafras leaves), or roux, the French base made of flour and fat.
Shrimp Cocktail: The Golden Gate served shrimp cocktails before any other restaurant. Their menu listed shrimp cocktails for .50 cents in 1959. It is now a Las Vegas cliché. Called the “Original Shrimp Cocktail” on the menu, it is a favorite among tourists and the locals. The original Shrimp Cocktail consists of a regular-sized sundae glass filled with small salad shrimp and topped with a dollop of cocktail sauce.
Shrimp DeJonghe: A specialty of Chicago, it is a casserole of the whole, peeled shrimp blanketed in soft, garlic, sherry-laced bread crumbs. Restaurants often serve it as an appetizer or a main course. It originated in the late 19th or early 20th century at the DeJonghe’s Hotel and Restaurant.
Shrimp Scampi: This dish has its own day on April 29, and it is cooked in butter, garlic, lemon juice, and white wine.

Shrimp and other shellfish are among the most common food allergens.

Explore More Seafood…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalShrimpDay

Celebrate this fantastic food day by making your favorite shrimp dish. Need some ideas? As Bubba Blue from the movie Forest Gump would say, “Shrimp cocktail, shrimp scampi, fried shrimp, broiled shrimp, spicy shrimp…” Be sure to share your favorite shrimp dish using #NationalShrimpDay.

New York Steak & Seafood Gourmet Dinner for 2 - Jumbo Shrimp Appetizer for 2, Surf N' Turf Main Course of 2 6oz Fillet Mignons and 2 4oz Lobster Tails, 4 Potato Pancakes, 2 New York Mini Cheesecakes#NationalShrimpDay — New York Steak & Seafood Gourmet Dinner for 2 – Jumbo Shrimp Appetizer for 2, Surf N’ Turf Main Course of 2 6oz Fillet Mignons and 2 4oz Lobster Tails, 4 Potato Pancakes, 2 New York Mini Cheesecakes

Cameron's Seafood Fresh Jumbo Cocktail Shrimp - 2 pounds#NationalShrimpDay — New York Steak & Seafood Gourmet Dinner for 2 – Jumbo Shrimp Appetizer for 2, Surf N’ Turf Main Course of 2 6oz Fillet Mignons and 2 4oz Lobster Tails, 4 Potato Pancakes, 2 New York Mini Cheesecakes

PIGS-IN-A-BLANKET DAY

April 23, 2026April 11, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

On April 24, observe National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day with just a few ingredients.

Celebrated across the world, the term often refers to a variety of different dishes. In the United States, Pigs-in-a-Blanket is often hot dogs or sausages wrapped in biscuit or croissant dough and baked. Pigs-in-a-Blanket are generally served as an appetizer or as breakfast. However, it can be served at any mealtime!

Another popular version of pigs-in-a-blanket includes cabbage rolls stuffed with a beef filling. It’s often covered with a tomato or cream sauce. Many recipes use the name “Pigs-in-a-Blanket” to describe just about any meat product wrapped in something. For example, one recipe we found called for stuffing a hotdog with a slice of cheese and wrapping the whole works with bacon. No dough or cabbage involved here.

And while some references give Betty Crocker credit for the first printed use of the phrase in 1957, records as early as 1901 reference recipes for pigs-in-a-blanket in a variety of forms. However, the phrase did increase in usage in the English language after it was printed in the 1957 cookbook.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPigBlanketDay

No matter how you make pigs-in-a-blanket, make enough to share. We even have two recipes for you to try. The ones wrapped in pastry dough make great appetizers or snacks and can be dipped in a variety of sauces. Check out the sauce recipes, too!

Pigs-In-A-Blanket(Cabbage)
Pigs-In-A-Blanket (mini smokies)
Dipping Sauces

Share your version of Pigs-In-A-Blanket using #NationalPigBlanketDay on social media.

NATIONAL BAKED SCALLOPS DAY

March 11, 2026March 5, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

March 12th is a food holiday celebrating a popular delicacy, the scallop. National Baked Scallops Day celebrates the unique Flavor and enjoyment of this shellfish.

Scallops are a cosmopolitan family and can be found in all of the world’s oceans. They are one of the most popular shellfish in the world and highly prized as a food source.

There are two fleshy parts of the scallop that are usually sold at market for human consumption. The adductor muscle is the white medallion of meat which is rich and sweet. This is the piece that is most familiar as the “scallop” we see on a menu.

There is also the coral or the roe which can range in color from pale coral to bright orange. This crescent-shaped piece is usually discarded before the scallop is sold at market because it may contain toxins. However, sometimes it is sold attached to the adductor muscle. It is bitter and some say it cuts the richness of the rest of the scallop.

These meaty mollusks are very low in fat and are delicious prepared in a variety of ways. Baking them omits much of the butter and fat that otherwise go into cooking this lean, white seafood.

Scallop Cookbook: Easy Scallop Recipes#BakedScallopsDay — Scallop Cookbook: Easy Scallop Recipes

Scallop Recipes: Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Baked Scallops, Seared Scallops and Many More Delicious Scallop Recipes#BakedScallopsDay — Scallop Cookbook: Easy Scallop Recipes

Baked scallops are often found served as a delicious entree, however, they are also known and loved as an appetizer.

Explore More Seafood?

HOW TO OBSERVE

Try baking some scallops at home.

Use #BakedScallopsDay to post on social media.

Sea Temple Snacks Baked Scallops
#BakedScallopsDay — Sea Temple Snacks Baked Scallops

Whole Baby Scallops#BakedScallopsDay — Sea Temple Snacks Baked Scallops

NATIONAL SLOW COOKING MONTH

December 31, 2025December 31, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 10 Comments

National Slow Cooking Month in January encourages us to make delicious meals and maximize our time by using our slow cookers. Also known by the brand name, Crock Pot, slow cookers come in a variety of sizes and styles.

Nearly every family in the United States owns at least one slow cooker. If they don’t, they know someone who does. Irving Naxon invented the slow cooker and applied for a patent in 1936. Eventually, he sold his patent to Rival who later produced the Crock Pot.

The low temperature cooking unit made it possible to cook foods slowly at lower temperatures. Unlike some kitchen devices, like the toaster or a juicer, the slow cooker filled the need of every meal. Home cooks developed recipes for breakfast, lunch, supper, and dessert.

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The Complete Slow Cooker Cookbook: 1600 Days of Savory and Satisfying Slow Cooker Recipes to Nourish Your Body
#SlowCookingMonth — The Ultimate Crock Pot Cookbook for Beginners 2024: 2000+ Super Easy, Yummy Crock Pot Recipes to Save Time for Busy Families Slow Cooking | Includes Stews, Breakfasts, Soups, Desserts and more!

While other modern kitchen items overshadowed the slow cooker in sales, it still has an important place on the counter. The slow cooker is a timekeeper of all our favorite celebrations and comfort foods. Consider every potluck, barbeque, Superbowl and family gathering over the years with slow cookers lined up filled with each cook’s best recipe kept piping hot – nacho dip, soups, chili, baked beans, pulled pork, mac & cheese. The list goes on and so does the slow cooker.

Helpful Tidbits

If you’re new to slow cooking, try the recipes that come with your slow cooker. They are tested for your model.
Once the cooking starts, only remove the lid to stir as needed. Moisture loss will cause your meal to become dry.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Today’s slow cookers have multiple settings as well as a warm setting after the food is finished cooking.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Break out your slow cooker and whip up something delicious. Use #SlowCookingMonth to share on social media.

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NATIONAL CHICKEN MONTH

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

HISTORY

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE

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