NATIONAL CLAM CHOWDER DAY

Each year on February 25th people across the nation have a bowl and spoon ready to be filled with clam chowder as they prepare to participate in National Clam Chowder Day.

A clam chowder in its simplest form is a soup or stew containing clams or fish. The most common type of chowder includes milk or cream as well as potatoes, though the Manhattan clam chowder has tomatoes.

The origin of the word “chowder” is up for a little bit of debate.  The French word for cauldron is “chaudiere.”  The English word “jowter” means fish peddler.  Both are on the hook for possible origins.

 In chowder, along with the clams, it is common to find diced potatoes, onions (often sautéed with pork or bacon drippings) and celery. Try pan frying diced spam and mushrooms, caramelized onions are a good touch too.  I add browned tofu in place of potatoes with extra mushrooms to make it keto friendly.

Following is a list of the basic clam chowder variants:

  • New England clam chowder
  • Manhattan clam chowder
  • Rhode Island clam chowder
  • Delaware clam chowder
  • New Jersey clam chowder
  • Hatteras clam chowder
  • Minorcan clam chowder
  • Long Island clam chowder
  • Puget Sound clam chowder

If you enjoy Clam Chowder be sure to enjoy these soups as well. National Vichyssoise Day, National Gazpacho Day, National Seafood Bisque Day, National Gumbo Day, National Turkey Neck Soup Day, National Soup it Forward Day, National Clam Chowder Day, Homemade Soup Day, National Pepper Pot Day, National Soup Month, National Menudo Month, National Slow Cooking Month, Chicken Noodle, Minestrone, Vegetable Beef, Jen’s Loaded Potato, Jen’s Easy Chili, White Chiken Chili, Beef stew, Pho, New England Clam chowder, Lobster Bisque, Split Pea Soup, National Eat Your Bean Day, Homemade Chicken Noodle, Tuscan Sausage Tortellini, Grown Up Ramen, French Onion, and Creamy Cauliflower Soup.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalClamChowderDay

Make your region’s best clam chowder. Better yet, have a clam chowder taste-off! Invite friends and family to cook up a variety of chowders from all over the country and try them all. Let us know which one you liked best. Maybe you’ll find a new appreciation for chowders.

My Easy Slow Cooker New England Style Calm Chowder. I changed the recipe to make it more low carb friendly.

Use #NationalClamChowderDay to post on social media.

HOMEMADE SOUP DAY

February 4th heats up with National Homemade Soup Day. In every cuisine, soup provides a rich basis of flavor and history. 

Before the era of modern transportation, soup was a product of regionally available foods. For this reason, there are thousands of soup recipes available today.

Many soups also offer medicinal properties. What was once considered a wive’s tale, chicken soup now has the backing of the scientific community. Yes, chicken soup helps relieve the symptoms of the common cold. How? Well, scientists believe that a bowl of the soup may reduce inflammation of the lungs. It is thought that chicken soup slows down the activity of white blood cells that can cause inflammation.

But that’s not all homemade soup does. Every cook knows the most important ingredient that goes into every pot of simmering soup. They keep the ingredient stored where it will do its best work, too. As they work, they season the soup from their heart giving it just the right amount of love each and every time. Whether they add it with the noodles or the vegetable, the broth or the cream, each cook knows there’s enough to go around. That’s why homemade soup heals the best. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalHomemadeSoupDay

Tell us about your favorite homemade soup. Share a recipe or a memory. Gather the family to learn how to make your best recipe and share the love. Need a new recipe to add to your collection? From chowders and broths to creamy bisques, chances are you’ll find a recipe to love too.

Use #NationalHomemadeSoupDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL GAZPACHO DAY

National Gazpacho Day, on December 6th, recognizes a flavorful soup that cooks serve cold. Gazpacho is typically a tomato-based vegetable soup. Originating in the southern Spanish region of Andalucia, Gazpacho is widely consumed in Spanish cuisine, usually during the summer months.

The original Spanish recipe includes stale bread, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Other ingredients include olive oil, wine, vinegar, water, and salt.

Following is the typical method of preparing gazpacho:

  • Washing vegetables
  • Peeling tomatoes, garlic, and onions.
  • Chop all vegetables (traditionally pounded with mortar) and process in a food processor.
  • Add the soaked bread.
  • Blend part of the processed contents until liquid, depending on desired consistency.
  • Blend in chilled water, olive oil, vinegar, and salt to taste.
  • Add remaining processed ingredients.
  • Garnish as desired.

Gazpacho offers cooks many modern variations. Abundant fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs make a delicious gazpacho, too. Consider using ingredients such as avocados, cucumbers, parsley, watermelon, or grapes. However, recipes offer meat stock and seafood varieties for gazpacho, too. Don’t hesitate to try something new. If the grocery offers something fresh on special, look for a recipe that will get you experimenting. You won’t regret trying something fresh, especially in the fall or winter. Your palate will thank you for the fresh spices, herbs, and vegetables.

Even though we serve gazpacho cold, some recipes call for a cooked broth. When the gazpacho is too warm, sometimes ice cubes are added. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGazpachoDay

Try this refreshing soup to change up your menu. Share your favorite recipes or find a variety of options online. Enjoy this Traditional Gazpacho recipe from foodal.com. We also have a delicious Garlic Gazpacho for you to try. You don’t want to miss out on that!

Use #NationalGazpachoDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL VICHYSSOISE DAY

November 18th recognizes a cold soup that is loved by many. It is National Vichyssoise Day.

Made thick with pureed leeks, onions, potatoes, cream and chicken stock, Vichyssoise is traditionally served cold though sometimes is eaten hot.

In the United States, Vichyssoise is pronounced: vish – e – swaz.

Culinary historians debate the origin of Vichyssoise. However, the man most credited with the reinvention of the soup is French chef Louis Diat. Back in 1950, New Yorker Magazine interviewed Diat, who was the chef at the Ritz Carlton in New York City; he told them:

“In the summer of 1917, when I had been at the Ritz seven years, I reflected upon the potato and leek soup of my childhood which my mother and grandmother used to make. I recalled how during the summer my older brother and I used to cool it off by pouring in cold milk and how delicious it was. I resolved to make something of the sort for the patrons of the Ritz.”

Recipes have been found for soup very similar to Vichyssoise but served hot dating back as far as 1869.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalVichyssoiseDay

Enjoy this Vichyssoise recipe.

Use #NationalVichyssoiseDay to post on social media.