Tag high-protein

INTERNATIONAL BACON DAY

Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

The first Saturday in September is International Bacon Day and a day to enjoy all things bacon! This delicious food holiday is a favorite because bacon makes everything better!

There are so many things we can say about bacon and the flavor it adds to dishes. Today, we are reminding everyone that bacon is not just a breakfast food, but also a great way to add delicious flavor to any recipe.

Bacon Backstory

Bacon is pork cured in salt made from cuts of the belly or back of a pig. Curing pork dates back thousands of years. During ancient times, Chinese, Egyptian, and Roman cultures all had methods for preserving pork. However, Romans recieve credit for sharing their knowledge of curing pork calling their bacon “petaso.” As cured pork expanded throughout Europe, the meat became a staple to families because of the ability to preserve it easily.

European settlers brought their pork curing techniques to America the same time the first settlers arrived. However, the meat was much saltier and leaner than what they would eat in Europe. During the 19th and 20th centuries, meat production began to expand to the general public. Brining and smoking bacon became widely acceptable in mass production, making the distribution of bacon much easier. Today, bacon plays a significant roll in American cuisine.

5 Bacon Festivals in the U.S.

  1. Bacon Fest, Pennsylvania
  2. Bourbon and Brews Festival, Kansas
  3. Bacon & Beer Festival, New Hampshire
  4. Bacon Bash, Texas
  5. Memphis Flyer Bacon & Bourbon, Tennessee

Did You Know?

Bacon is one of the most popular and recognizable meat products around the world and is known for its distinctive savory and smoky flavor.

Are there different types of bacon? Yes! Here the 4 common types of bacon throughout the world:

  1. American bacon is the most well-known bacon type. It’s made from pork belly and contains both meat and fat. This type of bacon becomes crispy after cooking.
  2. Canadian bacon is made from the lean parts of the pig. Normally, Canadian bacon is similar to ham in flavor and appearance.
  3. Pancetta is an Italian bacon made with salt and spices that can be eaten cooked or uncooked. People often use pancetta in sandwiches, but also in some dishes.
  4. Guanciale is another Italian bacon commonly used in carbonara and amatriciana. This type of bacon is the fattiest of all other bacon types and is probably most flavorful.

Bacon adds rich flavor and versatility to cooking by enhancing the dishes it is added to. Whether enjoyed on its own, as a savory ingredient, or as a guilty pleasure, bacon remains a favorite food around the globe.

HISTORY BEHIND INTERNATIONAL BACON DAY

Each year on the first Saturday in September we celebrate International Bacon Day as a way to indulge and enjoy bacon. We plan on starting our day with bacon and eggs, have a bacon sandwich for a mid morning snack, and eat a BLT for lunch. Then, we will likely eat a bacon-inspired pasta for dinner with a bacon infused dessert. Later in the evening, we are going to relax with a nice Bloody Mary with bacon garnish.

Explore More…

Salami Day

Bologna Day

Corned Beef Hash Day

Cold Cuts Day

International Bacon Day

Wiener Schnitzel Day

Sloppy Joe Day

National Sausage Month

National Meatball Day

Bacon Day

Pigs in a Blanket Day

6 INTERNATIONAL BACON DAY CELEBRATION IDEAS

International Bacon Day is a time to savor the delight of delicious bacon! Embrace your joy for bacon today by having fun with today’s food holiday.

  1. Host a bacon-everything breakfast by adding bacon to your eggs, pancakes, or omelets. You can also make breakfast burritos or add bacon to your waffle batter.
  2. Experiment with bacon in a new recipe or add it to a favorite one you already make.
  3. Cook different types of bacon and have a bacon tasting party with your family and friends. We recommend adding Applewood -smoked, maple-glazed, or peppered flavor to your menu.
  4. Create the ultimate beverages by adding bacon and other ingredients. In fact, we hear adding bacon as a garnish to a Bloody Mary is delicious!
  5. Find a local bakery or specialty bacon shop that offers a variety of bacon flavors. This might be a great way to treat yourself to a better quality bacon versus buying bacon in the grocery store.
  6. Share your love for bacon on social media using the tag #InternationalBaconDay.

Funny shh i smell bacon, International Bacon Day T-Shirt#InternationalBaconDay
Funny shh i smell bacon, International Bacon Day T-Shirt
The Original Makin Bacon Microwave Bacon Dish - Makes Crispy Bacon in Minutes - Simple, Quick, and Easy to Use - Reduces Fat Content for a Healthier Meal - Molded in The USA#InternationalBaconDay
The Original Makin Bacon Microwave Bacon Dish – Makes Crispy Bacon in Minutes – Simple, Quick, and Easy to Use – Reduces Fat Content for a Healthier Meal – Molded in The USA
PrepSolutions Microwavable Bacon Grill, White – Nonstick, Easy-Clean Design, 1 Piece#InternationalBaconDay
PrepSolutions Microwavable Bacon Grill, White – Nonstick, Easy-Clean Design, 1 Piece
The Bacon Bible: More Than 200 Recipes for Bacon You Never Knew You Needed #InternationalBaconDay
The Bacon Bible: More Than 200 Recipes for Bacon You Never Knew You Needed

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 CHOCOLATE PUDDING DAY

Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

This food holiday National Chocolate Pudding Day is observed each year on June 26th.  Chocolate pudding has been loved by children and adults for many years.  Usually eaten as a snack or dessert, chocolate pudding is also used as a filling for chocolate creme pie.

Historically, chocolate pudding is a variation of chocolate custard, using starch as a thickener instead of eggs.  The 1903 edition of Mary Harris Frazer’s Kentucky Receipt Book and the 1918 edition of Fannie Farmer’s Boston Cooking School Cook Book both have recipes for the earlier version, using both eggs and flour.

  • In 1934, General Foods (Jello) introduced chocolate pudding mix as “Walter Baker’s Dessert.”
  • In 1936, it was renamed “Pickle’s Pudding.”

Chocolate pudding is usually made with milk and sugar, flavored with chocolate and vanilla then thickened with flour or cornstarch.  Some recipes do use eggs when making the pudding.

Chocolate pudding can be purchased ready-made and sold in grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations.  The popular brands include Jell-O by the Kraft Foods Corporation and Snack Pack by Hunt’s.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy some delicious Chocolate Pudding as a dessert or as a snack. Try this homemade Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding recipe. Use #NationalChocolatePuddingDay on social media.

Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding, 4 Count Pudding Cups#NationalChocolatePuddingDay
Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding, 4 Count Pudding Cups
Snack Pack Milk Chocolate and Chocolate Fudge/Milk Chocolate Pudding, 4 Count Pudding Cups#NationalChocolatePuddingDay
Snack Pack Milk Chocolate and Chocolate Fudge/Milk Chocolate Pudding, 4 Count Pudding Cups
Amazon Fresh, Chocolate Pudding Cups, 4 Count#NationalChocolatePuddingDay
Amazon Fresh, Chocolate Pudding Cups, 4 Count
Jell-O Chocolate Instant Pudding & Pie Filling Mix, 5.9 oz Box, As Seen on TikTok#NationalChocolatePuddingDay
Jell-O Chocolate Instant Pudding & Pie Filling Mix, 5.9 oz Box, As Seen on TikTok

Jen’s Greek Cassarole Bake

Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

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

Amazon Fresh with Prime delivery

NATIONAL SOURDOUGH BREAD DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

National Sourdough Bread Day on April 1st recognizes one of the world’s oldest leavened breads. 

Sourdough is produced through the process of long fermentation of the dough using lactobacilli and yeasts. The use of naturally occurring yeasts and friendly bacteria versus cultivated yeast causes the bread to have a slightly sour, but pleasant taste. 

Most likely the first form of leavening available to bakers, it is believed sourdough originated in Ancient Egyptian times around 1500 BC. During the European Middle Ages, it also remained the usual form of leavening.

As part of the California Gold Rush, sourdough was the principal bread made in Northern California and is still a part of the culture of San Francisco today. The bread was so common at that time the word “sourdough” became a nickname for the gold prospectors. In The Yukon and Alaska, a “sourdough” is also a nickname given to someone who has spent an entire winter north of the Arctic Circle. It refers to their tradition of protecting their sourdough during the coldest months by keeping it close to their body. The sourdough tradition was also carried into Alaska and western Canadian territories during the Klondike Gold Rush.

San Francisco sourdough is the most famous sourdough bread made in the United States today. In contrast to sourdough production in other areas of the country, the San Francisco variety has remained in continuous production since 1849, with some bakeries able to trace their starters back to California’s Gold Rush period. Many restaurant chains keep it as a menu staple. Sourdough bread is a great side to your soup, stew or toasted with your morning cereal.

More Breads…..

HOW TO OBSERVE #SourdoughBreadDay

Bake some homemade sourdough bread. Share a recipe or order some from your favorite bakery. Celebrate by tagging them and letting them know how much you appreciate them.

Use #SourdoughBreadDay to post on social media.