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NATIONAL HERBS AND SPICES DAY

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National Herbs and Spices Day is observed annually on June 10.

It is the season for fresh herbs and spices. They are an essential part of flavorful cooking as well as fun and easy to grow.

Raising your own herbs can be a form of relaxing therapy. Herbs and spices have been used for many hundreds of years, and besides making our food delicious, each has its specific health benefits. Growing your own herbs and spices is a great way to add fresh variety to your food.  Herbs raised in your home add an aromatic and natural fragrance to the air.

Basil, Rosemary, Nutmeg, Garlic, Sage, Tyme, Oregano, Italian, Greek, Cajun, Blackening, Fennel, Chili Powder, Dill, Red Pepper Flakes, Ginger, Paprika, Cinnamon, are among my most used almost every meal. Lavender, Vanilla, Anise, Bay Leaf and Tumeric on occasion as well. It’s a good bet in combination with onions, you’ll find on our table daily. A good mix make Beef Stew, Taco’s and Tex Mex, My Greek Turkey bake, Asian Pork Chops, and don’t forget Spaghetti and My Easy Chili.

I find myself adding to or finessing flavors even if I use a pre-packaged spice mix. Having a hood sense of these help me not only make up my own delicious creations, but help judge recipes to try. I’m happy to be surprised of course although things calling for heavy amounts of Parsley, Cilantro, or heavy amounts of cayenne are things we try to avoid.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

 Use #HerbsAndSpicesDay to post on social media.

Jen’s Greek Cassarole Bake

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Full of flavor, healthy and easy ro make, this dinner hits the spot for full tummies.  Filled with Ground turkey, Couscous, black olives, 2 kinds of sqaush, cheeses, and greek seasoning ant topped with lemon slices.  It’s perfect for a family meal, potluck dinner, and a good choice for lots of dietary needs.  So good I bet no one will even suspect it’s good for them…

Ingredients

1 Near East Couscous 5.9oz box

3 lbs ground turkey

16 oz sliced Pepper jack cheese

1 2.2 oz can sliced blak olives

1 8oz  spinach artichoke cheese dip

1/4 cup grated Parmesean Cheese

1 medium onion diced

2 tbls minced garlic

2 lemon sliced

2 Tbls Greek Seasoning

Zucchini

Yellow Squash

10 oz fresh grape tomatoes sliced in half

Directions

  1. Prepare a 9 x 13 glass baking dish             
  2. Prepare couscous as directed on packaging and set aside
  3. Chop zucchini and yellow squash into 1/2 pieces
  4. Brown Ground turkey with onion and minced garlic
  5. Drain, mix with spinach artichoke cheese dip,  set aside.
  6. In prepared dish spread browned turkey, couscous, vegetables and black olives in 3 layers. 
  7. Top bottom layers with Monterrey Jack cheese. 
  8. Sprinkle Paresean cheese and greek seasoning over top of cassarole.
  9. Top entire dish with lemon slices
  10. Bake @ 350° for 40 minutes until vegetables are cooked. 
  11. Top with grape tomatoes halves

Serve warm and Enjoy

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NATIONAL TOTALLY CHIPOTLE DAY

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Each year on May 5th, National Totally Chipotle Day celebrates right alongside Cinco de Mayo and is dedicated to the chipotle, a smoked, dried jalapeno pepper. Not to be confused with the restaurant chain of the same name.

There are different varieties of jalapenos and they vary in size and heat. At one time, chipotles were primarily found in the markets of central and southern Mexico.  As Mexican foods became more popular in the more northern areas of North America, the jalapeno production and processing expanded north into the United States.

Chipotles are often an essential ingredient and add a mild spiciness to many different dishes in Mexican cuisine. While you expect to find them in salsas and other sauces, don’t hesitate to use them in other ways, too. Add them to soups and marinades if you want to bring the heat to a dish. Bean or lentil dishes shine when you add chipotle to them. Do you like sweet and spicy flair? Add chipotle to your jellies. When pairing chipotle with a slice of smoky cheese, you won’t be disappointed. Top it on a grilled bbq chicken pizza to wow guests.

You can even add it to desserts for a surprising but delicious twist. For example, homemade dark chocolate ice cream with the hint of smoky chipotle in every bite is a real winner. You can turn down the heat by removing the seeds and membrane or leave them in for a more exciting experience.

Try including chipotle in some of these related celebrations…

HOW TO OBSERVE #TotallyChipotleDay

What’s your favorite chipotle dish? Celebrate the day by mixing up dips, marinades, sides and more! Be sure to share by using #TotallyChipotleDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL GARLIC DAY

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Each year on April 19th, National Garlic Day celebrates a vegetable also known as the stinking rose. The fragrant and potent root has been seasoning dishes for thousands of years. 

This stinking rose is a member of the lily family. This family also includes onions, leeks, and shallots. While garlic originated in Asia over 7,000 years ago, it is used in a variety of cuisines.

Garlic is quite versatile, too. It is also used for medicinal purposes. The mighty bulb is considered an herbal remedy for colds and may reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Modern science has also proven garlic’s antibiotic properties.

Myth and superstition reek of garlic. The most familiar one suggests that garlic wards off vampires. This same theory seemed to work on witches, werewolves, demons and other such evils one could come across. Folklore also tells us garlic grew from satan’s left footprint when he left the Garden of Eden; Greek midwives kept evils spirits away with it, and courage filled Roman soldiers who consumed the bulb.

Consider our dreams and garlic, too. Our dreams often have meaning. Dreaming of garlic is no different. To dream about garlic in the house suggests good luck and if the dream includes eating garlic (perhaps in a pesto sauce), there might be hidden secrets. Over 300 varieties of garlic grow around the world to dream about as well! 

Gilroy, California claims to be the Garlic Capital of the World. Will Rogers was once quoted as saying it is “…the only place in America where you can marinate a steak just by hanging it out on a clothesline.”

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGarlicDay

Celebrate the day by cooking a terrific meal with garlic or possibly attend one of the many garlic festivals around the world. Use #NationalGarlicDay to share on social media.  

Amazon Brand - Happy Belly Granulated Garlic, 24 ounce#NationalGarlicDay
Amazon Brand – Happy Belly Granulated Garlic, 24 ounce
Spice World Organic Minced Garlic – Bulk 32oz Garlic Container, USDA Certified Organic Garlic with Non-GMO Ingredients – Ready-to-Use Seasonings for Cooking, Reduce Prep Work and Easily Add Flavor#NationalGarlicDay
Spice World Organic Minced Garlic – Bulk 32oz Garlic Container, USDA Certified Organic Garlic with Non-GMO Ingredients – Ready-to-Use Seasonings for Cooking, Reduce Prep Work and Easily Add Flavor
Iberia Minced Garlic In Water, 32 Ounce#NationalGarlicDay
Iberia Minced Garlic In Water, 32 Ounce
CEYLONFLAVORS FRESH AND PURE Organic Hand Picked Whole Cloves 3.5oz. Harvested from a USDA Certified Organic Farm in Sri Lanka#NationalGarlicDay
CEYLONFLAVORS FRESH AND PURE Organic Hand Picked Whole Cloves 3.5oz. Harvested from a USDA Certified Organic Farm in Sri Lanka

National Fresh Celery Month – April

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National Fresh Celery Month in April provides an opportunity to experiment with recipes and challenge the way we use the vegetable in our cooking

Take celery beyond peanut butter sticks and cocktails. When combined with the right ingredients, celery can be a stunning addition to a dish. The beauty of celery is it adds a punch of crunch, a hint of vibrant color and subtle flavor without being overpowering.

While we may like filling the celery’s convenient groove with peanut butter, there are other excellent fillers. Try seasoned cream cheese, chicken salad or hummus.

Sliced celery dressed with light vinaigrette and grapes and walnuts make an excellent small salad. Don’t forget the celery leaves. Toss them into your salads, too! For another salad spin, try goat cheese and chives with red onion.

There’s a reason peanut butter and celery go together. It’s not just an afternoon snack. Celery compliments many soups and does only have to go into a vegetable medley.  Yes, peanut butter is another way to soup it up.

When it comes to the main dish, celery compliments nearly any protein and that includes non-animal proteins.  Whether you’re cooking with chicken, beef or beans, celery will boost texture and flavor.  Try a new recipe every week during National Fresh Celery Month, and discover how celery can benefit your cooking.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Add celery to your shopping list and be sure to add it to a few meals this month. Use #NationalFreshCeleryMonth to share on social media.