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NATIONAL ITALIAN CHEESE MONTH

Jensperspectiveblog 13 Comments

Lasagna. Pizza. Manicotti. Ravioli. Cannoli. What do all of these delicious dishes have in common? They’re all made with Italian Cheese! September is National Italian Cheese Month, and there’s no better time to celebrate the buttery, bold, creamy, crumbly and nutty Italian Cheeses that are essential to our favorite Italian fare. After all, these are the memorable meals that bring families together!

With as many as 450 varieties of Italian Cheese—there are enough tastes and textures to satisfy every age group and palate. How many have you tried? Imagine the recipes!

Mozzarella is the most popular cheese in the United States, with the average American eating more than 11 pounds of this classic cheese every year. (Fantastico!) But that’s not where our love affair with Italian Cheese ends. Other favorites include the versatile Ricotta and Provolone, hard cheese like Parmesan and Romano, creamy selections like Fresh Mozzarella and Mascarpone, and one-of-a-kind flavors like Bel Paese, Asiago, and Gorgonzola. Italian Cheese is even available in Cheese Sticks, which are beloved by kids across the country!

Italian Cheese is full of a rich, flavorful history waiting to be shared. It is believed that Italian Cheese dates as far back as the Roman Empire, where many families had a special kitchen, called a caseale, used exclusively for making, aging, and storing cheese. Romans were passionate about creating and sharing their cheese, introducing the art of cheesemaking to other European countries. Today, fine Italian Cheese is made in both Italy and America, with some Italian Cheese earning Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, ensuring the cheese was made in a specific region following traditional methods.

HISTORY

Galbani® cheese founded National Italian Cheese Month in 2017 to celebrate America’s love of Italian Cheese.

Visit Galbani® for Italian Cheese recipes all month long. Follow them for more great ideas on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Look no further for ways to celebrate Italian Cheese Month! Create the ultimate cheese plate to sample and share at work. Have your friends over for a make-your-own-pizza party. Or treat your family to decadent desserts like Cannoli and Tiramisu. There are so many ways to celebrate Italian Cheese, all you need is the appetite! Share your favorites by using #NationalItalianCheeseMonth on social media.

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese DOP 2 lb#NationalItalianCheeseMonth
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese DOP 2 lb
Galbani " Crema Belpaese ", Certosa Cheese Melted 6.17 Fluid Ounce (175ml) Packages#NationalItalianCheeseMonth
Galbani ” Crema Belpaese “, Certosa Cheese Melted 6.17 Fluid Ounce (175ml) Packages
igourmet Authentic Imported Italian Cheese Collection#NationalItalianCheeseMonth
igourmet Authentic Imported Italian Cheese Collection
Gourmet Meat & Cheese Sampler Gift Basket - Deluxe Charcuterie Cheese Platter - GourmetGiftBaskets.com Food Gifts#NationalItalianCheeseMonth
Gourmet Meat & Cheese Sampler Gift Basket – Deluxe Charcuterie Cheese Platter – GourmetGiftBaskets.com Food Gifts

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.

PIGS-IN-A-BLANKET DAY

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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 RAVIOLI DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

On National Ravioli Day, celebrate a pasta that is fun and versatile. Observed on March 20th each year, pasta lovers dive in on this food holiday. 

Ravioli are a traditional type of Italian filled pasta, made up of a filling sealed between two layers of thin egg pasta dough. Imagine a small meatball tucked, snug inside two cozy layers of delicious pasta dough. That’s basically what ravioli is. Although, a variety of fillings from cheesy to meaty take up that cozy spot in the dough.  And the ravioli are usually served in either a broth or with a pasta sauce.  A variety of filling recipes are available from cheesy to meaty.

Fresh Pasta at Home: 10 Doughs, 20 Shapes, 100+ Recipes, with or without a Machine#NationalRavioliDay
Fresh Pasta at Home: 10 Doughs, 20 Shapes, 100+ Recipes, with or without a Machine
Homemade Ravioli Made Simple: 50 Mix-and-Match Recipes for the Best Filled Pastas#NationalRavioliDay
Homemade Ravioli Made Simple: 50 Mix-and-Match Recipes for the Best Filled Pastas
Bellemain Ravioli Maker Press | Pelmeni Mold, Pierogi Press, Potsticker Meat Pie Dumpling Maker, Ravioli Stamp Pasta Making Kit, Pasta Making Tools, Ravioli Press Mold | Makes 12 Ravioli, 1. 5”#NationalRavioliDay
Bellemain Ravioli Maker Press | Pelmeni Mold, Pierogi Press, Potsticker Meat Pie Dumpling Maker, Ravioli Stamp Pasta Making Kit, Pasta Making Tools, Ravioli Press Mold | Makes 12 Ravioli, 1. 5”
MASTER FENG Ravioli Stamp Maker Cutter with Roller Wheel Set, Mold with Wooden Handle and Fluted Edge, Pasta Press Kitchen Attachment #NationalRavioliDay
MASTER FENG Ravioli Stamp Maker Cutter with Roller Wheel Set, Mold with Wooden Handle and Fluted Edge, Pasta Press Kitchen Attachment

While ravioli often serves as the main course, it can also be a side dish or even an appetizer. Many popular recipes bake or deep fry the ravioli. With chocolate added to the pasta or cream cheese stuffing and a caramel sauce, the dish quickly becomes a dessert!

Ravioli can be homemade or may be purchased fresh or frozen in grocery stores. In the United States, Chef Boyardee popularized the canned ravioli. This ravioli is filled with either beef or processed cheese and served in a tomato, tomato-meat or tomato-cheese sauce.  

We turn to St. Louis, Missouri, to learn about the toasted ravioli. By accident, a ravioli fell into the fryer at Oldani’s back in the 1940s. And as with accidents, the crisp ravioli earned a place on the menu. Or so the story goes. If so, it’s a delicious one. 

More?

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRavioliDay

Ravioli always sparks an appetite, so be sure to mix up your favorite sauce and pasta combinations. Try your hand at homemade. Make it a family affair.

Lazy Lasagna (with ravioli)

Use #NationalRavioliDay to post on social media.

Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli, 15 oz, 4 Pack#NationalRavioliDay
Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli, 15 oz, 4 Pack
Chef Boyardee Mini Ravioli, 15 oz, 4 Pack#NationalRavioliDay
Chef Boyardee Mini Ravioli, 15 oz, 4 Pack
Chocolate Peppermint Ravioli - Try Something New With Our Unique Desserts#NationalRavioliDay
Chocolate Peppermint Ravioli – Try Something New With Our Unique Desserts
Pagani Raviolli with Cheese & Truffle#NationalRavioliDay
Pagani Raviolli with Cheese & Truffle