NATIONAL BLOODY MARY DAY

For all those who celebrated more than they should have, National Bloody Mary Day serves up one of the world’s most popular hangover cures on January 1st.

It would seem the Bloody Mary is the product of several hard day’s nights, lackluster cocktails, and seemingly tasteless liquor.

When the Russian Revolution pressed fleeing men into Paris and to Harry’s Bar at The Ritz Hotel, bartender Ferdinand “Pete” Petiot mixed up a cocktail that eventually made its way to post-prohibition America.

According to Food and Drink in American History: “Full Course” Encyclopedia by Andrew F. Smith, the Bloody Mary made its debut in Paris at The Ritz Hotel in 1921. Originally named the Bucket of Blood, it also went by the name Red Snapper. Petiot later left Paris and introduced the vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire, cayenne, and salty cocktail to the New York King Cole Bar scene when prohibition ended.

Some attribute the name to notorious Queen Mary Tudor, who executed hundreds of Protestants in the name of Catholicism during her short five-year reign from 1553 to 1558. Others claim Petiot’s girlfriend of the same name receives the credit.

Today’s Bloody Marys include a variety of ingredients from pickles, olives, and celery to bacon, horseradish, tobacco, and peppers.

More to Explore…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBloodyMaryDay

Enjoy a Bloody Mary. Select your favorite combinations and get ready for the new year. Have you tried pickled beans or asparagus? Like its cousin, the Bloody Caesar, the drink has become a smorgasbord of beverage bar. After a while, we begin to wonder whether we order it more for the liquid contents or the edible ingredients. However, if each additional component starts the New Year off right, the day is worth celebrating. Right?

Of course, the best way to celebrate the day is with friends. And remember to drink responsibly and never drink and drive. Use #NationalBloodyMaryDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL SARDINES DAY

November 24th recognizes these silver little fishes on National Sardines Day. They may not swim right up to your plate, but they sure do pack in the flavor. 

While some people are afraid to taste these small, silverfish, others consider sardines a delicious snack enjoyed on their own or with crackers.

Sardines are several types of small, oily fish, related to herrings. While we might be most familiar with sardines packed in cans, some enjoy fresh sardines grilled. This small fish can also be pickled and smoked, too. When canned, they can be packed in water, olive, sunflower or soybean oil or tomato, chili or mustard sauce.

The term sardine was first used in English during the beginning of the 15th century, possibly coming from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia where there was an abundance of sardines.

Sardines are a great source of vitamins and minerals.
From one’s daily vitamin allowance containing:

  • 13 % B2
  • .25 % niacin
  • 150% vitamin B12
  • phosphorus
  • calcium
  • potassium
  • iron
  • selenium
  • omega-3fatty acids
  • vitamin D
  • protein

– B vitamins are important in helping to support proper nervous system function and are used for energy metabolism.
– Omega 3 fatty acids reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular disease and regular consumption may reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease and can even boost brain function as well as help lower blood sugar levels.

Relative to other fish commonly eaten by humans, sardines are very low in contaminants, such as mercury.

Sardine oil is used in the manufacturing of paint, varnish and linoleum.

The sardine canning industry peaked in the United States in the 1950s.  The Stinson Seafood plant in Prospect Harbor, Maine, which was the last large sardine cannery in the United States, closed its doors on April 15, 2010, after 135 years in operation.

More Seafood….

Look, most years, this is the only holiday on this date. So we’ll offer some extra special tips to help you celebrate. 

  • Try sardines on a salad. Mash them up and mix them with some Caesar dressing for a start. Add some extra croutons if that improves the experience.
  • Toss them with pasta and a spicy marinara sauce.
  • Grill them with olive oil. Add lemon, garlic, and tarragon.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSardinesDay

Share a can or two of canned sardines with a friend.  See if you prefer the mustard, chili or the tomato packed ones better!Use #NationalSardinesDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL SAUSAGE PIZZA DAY

Food lovers across the country enjoy National Sausage Pizza Day, October 11th of each year. Whether served on a thin or thick crust, sausage pizza goes well with other toppings, too.

Don’t hesitate to add mushrooms and a variety of cheeses. What’s even better about sausage pizza are the different kinds of sausage to choose from. While Italian sausage may be preferred, try experimenting. Add more garlic or try additional spice.

Try smoky sausages such as chorizo or even a kielbasa visit with your local butcher for sausage suggestions. They’ve probably been smoking up the latest experiment just for you to try. Sausage comes in many combinations, too. Lighter forms and different ages offer flavors that complement our toppings. A little sweet with the savory creates a modern taste experience. Sautéd onions add amazing flavor to sausage pizza. While cooking up the onions add a few portabella mushrooms to the pan. Once you’ve added them to your pizza, sprinkle the top with feta cheese and fresh basil. You won’t regret it.

Pizza Facts
  • In ancient Greece, the Greeks covered their bread with oils, herbs, and cheese, which some attribute to the beginning of the pizza.
  • In Byzantine Greek, the word was spelled “πίτα,” pita, meaning pie.
  • The Romans developed a pastry with a sheet of dough topped with cheese and honey, then flavored with bay leaves.
  • The modern pizza had its beginning in Italy as the Neapolitan flatbread.
  • The original pizza used only mozzarella cheese, mainly the highest quality buffalo mozzarella variant. It was produced in the surroundings of Naples.
  • An estimated 2 billion pounds of pizza cheese was produced in the United States in 1997.
  • The first United States pizza establishment opened in New York’s Little Italy in 1905.

Try some of these pizza celebrations too.

HOW TO OBSERVE #SausagePizzaDay

Invite friends and family over for homemade sausage pizza. Or go out for your favorite kind of sausage pizza and make it a celebration. While you’re out and about, be sure to give a shout out to your favorite establishment. Do you like thin or thick crust? How do you eat your pizza? Crust first, point first or do you fold it? We want to know. Everyone has their own pizza-eating styles.

Onion and Sausage Pizza
Chicago Deep Dish Sausage Pizza

Use #SausagePizzaDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL DAY

National Clams on the Half Shell Day on March 31st offers clam lovers a day to celebrate one of the world’s most unique dishes. 

The best variety of hardshell clams (also called Quahogs) for serving on the half-shell is the topneck, but you will find recipes using littlenecks and cherrystone as well. The topnecks run about two inches across, and the meaty clam is enough for a bite-sized morsel of Atlantic saltwater goodness.

Clams on the half shell can be raw, steamed, grilled or even smoked.

One popular “on the half shell” recipe originated in Rhode Island.  Often served as an appetizer, Clams Casino is a dish with toasted breadcrumbs and bacon.  Legend has it the recipe for Clam Casino dates back to 1917 and the Little Casino in Narragansett, Rhode Island.  According to Good Housekeeping Great American Classics, maître d’hôtel Julius Keller and Mrs. Paran Stevens developed clams casino for her guests, as she wanted to serve up something special and named it after the hotel.  The dish soon became so successful, word spread, and it began appearing on menus across the nation.

Explore More Seafood….

HOW TO OBSERVE #ClamsOnTheHalfShellDay

National Clams on the Half Shell Day is easy to celebrate! Get steaming or grilling, depending on your preferences. Clam lovers dig in and show the rest of the crowd what they’ve been missing! Demonstrate the best way to enjoy them, the flavors and side dishes, too. Order up your favorite clam on the half shell meal. Then, give the restaurant a shout-out. 

Use #ClamsOnTheHalfShellDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL FRENCH FRIED SHRIMP DAY

On December 21st, seafood lovers celebrate National French Fried Shrimp Day. Enjoyed all year long, this delicious dish delights many across the country. 

Americans eat more shrimp than any other seafood.

The word prawn is used 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 the removal of the head, shell, tail and sand vein. There are many ways to cook shrimp. Common 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 over cooked.

A healthy food, shrimp is low in calories and high in levels of omega-3s, calcium, iodine, and protein. Shrimp is also known to be considered good for the circulatory system. *The preparation of the shrimp does impact the caloric count.

Explore More Seafood…

HOW TO OBSERVE #FrenchFriedShrimpDay

Enjoy one of the following recipes:

French Fried Shrimp
Fried Shrimp

Use #FrenchFriedShrimpDay to post on social media.