Jen’s Greek Cassarole Bake

May 28, 2026May 6, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 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

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

Serve warm and Enjoy

PIGS-IN-A-BLANKET DAY

April 23, 2026April 11, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

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 NOUGAT DAY

March 25, 2026February 28, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 21 Comments

National Nougat Day on March 26th celebrates a soft and chewy or sometimes hard and crunchy candy often found at the center of a candy bar.

Made by whipping egg whites together and adding honey or sugar, roasted nuts, and sometimes candied fruit, some say nougat has been a sweet treat since ancient Rome. Enjoyed both as a candy all on its own or paired with chocolate or other flavorings.

Recipes range from the more traditional nougat made with almonds and honey to those with hints of citrus.In Italy, they call it torrone. In Spain, a nougat is called turrón. The United States has a version made with corn syrup called divinity.

Three basic kinds of nougats include:

1.   White nougat – made with beaten egg whites and honey.
2.   Brown nougat – made without egg whites and has a firmer, often crunchy texture.
3.   Viennese or German nougat – chocolate and nut praline

In the United States, modern candy bar makers use a different recipe than the traditional nougat. Today they make of a mixture of sucrose and corn syrup aerated with a whipping agent such as egg white or hydrolyzed soy protein or gelatin. It is the preferred and often used ingredient of large candy companies because it is inexpensive to make and used as a filler.

Varieties of nougat are found in:
3 Musketeers, Mars, Snickers, Milky Way, Zero, Salted Nut Rolls, Payday, Reese’s Fast Break, Baby Ruth, and others.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalNougatDay

This holiday offers an opportunity to become a nougat aficionado. Or perhaps try learning the nuances of nougat. No matter how you spend the day, be sure to get a sample or two. Whether it’s a big bite or small, enjoy some nougats. Be sure to share a piece, too! Use #NationalNougatDay to post on social media.

Wrapped Jube Nougats - 12 oz of Colorful Fruity Fresh Delicious Individually Wrapped Nougat Candy#NationalNougatDay — Wrapped Jube Nougats – 12 oz of Colorful Fruity Fresh Delicious Individually Wrapped Nougat Candy

Torrone Nougat Candy, 18 Assorted Pieces (Ferrara) NET WT 7.62 216g#NationalNougatDay — Wrapped Jube Nougats – 12 oz of Colorful Fruity Fresh Delicious Individually Wrapped Nougat Candy

NATIONAL LACY OATMEAL COOKIE DAY

March 17, 2026March 5, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 14 Comments

There are cookie holidays and then there is National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day. Each year on March 18th, this holiday celebrates a delicate cookie made from oats.

Some people may refer to this day as National Oatmeal Cookie Day (which is celebrated on April 30th). The difference between the two is that lacy oatmeal cookies are wafer-thin and typically accompany a scoop of ice cream or sorbet.

In the early 1900s, oatmeal became a major ingredient in the American diet. Before that, Americans relied on other grains. Originating in England, oatmeal cookies have been around since the 1800s. However, it is believed that they were created after the oatcake. Soldiers used to carry oatcakes with them for a quick boost of energy during battle. Most research found that the first recorded oatmeal raisin cookie recipe was written by Fannie Merritt Farmer in 1896.Considered a health food, the cookies quickly became popular. By the early 1900s, a recipe for the delicious treats appeared on containers of Quaker Oats.

Oatmeal cookies are an excellent source of iron and fiber

Bakers use many different recipes for the lacy oatmeal cookies. Additionally, home bakers bake with a variety of oats including old fashioned oats, quick-cooking oats, oat bran or oat flour. For a healthier cookie, add finely chopped or ground fruits (such as raisins) or nuts and use a sugar substitute. You can also decorate your lacy oatmeal cookies with icing drizzled on top of the cookie.

More Cookies..

HOW TO OBSERVE #LacyOatmealCookieDay

Lacy oatmeal cookies make pretty decorations on top of cakes and other baked goods, too. They also make excellent gifts. Make some for a friend or neighbor.

Use #LacyOatmealCookieDay to post on social media.

222 Homemade Oatmeal Cookie Recipes: An Oatmeal Cookie Cookbook You Will Love #LacyOatmealCookieDay — 222 Homemade Oatmeal Cookie Recipes: An Oatmeal Cookie Cookbook You Will Love

Farmhouse Cookie Jar for Kitchen Counter, 1 Gallon Vintage Cookie Jar with Airtight Lid, Large Food Storage Container for Candy, Cookies, Dessert, Rustic Kitchen Decor and Accessories#LacyOatmealCookieDay — 222 Homemade Oatmeal Cookie Recipes: An Oatmeal Cookie Cookbook You Will Love

NATIONAL PEPPERMINT PATTY DAY

February 10, 2026January 2, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 19 Comments

National Peppermint Patty Day recognizes a treat enjoyed by millions around the world. On February 11th each year, sink your teeth into the minty chocolate sweet.

The oldest commercially-made mint patty or cake was made by the Quiggin’s family on the Isle of Man (an island located in the middle of the northern Irish Sea). They had been making the cakes since 1840, but in 1880, four of the sons formed the Kendal Mint Cake Company.

In the United States, as early as 1900, peppermint patties were made by regional confectioneries. Companies such as Idaho Candy Company, Trudeau Candie’s, and Pearson’s (which purchased Trudeau in 1951, both were Minnesota companies). Possibly the most known, though not the oldest, York Peppermint Patties were made by the York Cone Company of Pennsylvania.

York Peppermint Patties were first made in 1940 and distributed regionally, much like other candy makers of the era. York dominated the market because of its firmness and crispness while the others were soft. A former York employee remembered that the final (sample) test of the patty before it left the factory was called a “snap test.” If the candy did not break clean in the middle, it did not make it onto candy store shelves.

Keto Sweet Tooth Cookbook: 80 Low-carb Ketogenic Dessert Recipes for Cakes, Cookies, Pies, Fat Bombs
#PeppermintPattyDay — Keto Sweet Tooth Cookbook: 80 Low-carb Ketogenic Dessert Recipes for Cakes, Cookies, Pies, Fat Bombs

Healthy Dessert Recipes: Enjoy Mouthwatering Healthy Desserts: Low Fat Cheese Cake, Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, Tiramisu Bread Pudding and More!!! #PeppermintPattyDay — Keto Sweet Tooth Cookbook: 80 Low-carb Ketogenic Dessert Recipes for Cakes, Cookies, Pies, Fat Bombs

In 1975 the company was acquired by Peter Paul Cadbury. Cadbury moved the factory to Reading, Pennsylvania, much to the distress of workers and residents of York. The company then distributed the popular treat across the country.

Explore More….

HOW TO OBSERVE #PeppermintPattyDay

Recipes abound for peppermint patties. However, the bakers also like to incorporate the flavor of peppermint patties into their baked goods. So, be sure to test out these recipes in your kitchen to celebrate. For example, we found Peppermint Patty Cake, Peppermint Patty Brownies, and Peppermint Pattie Cookies recipes. Other ways to celebrate include:

Create a festive treat from peppermint patties to perk up a friend or family member. A fresh bouquet of these minty treats would be a delightful surprise!
Mix up a minty peppermint patty milkshake for a chilling change.
Add a bit of peppermint kick to your mocha to celebrate the day! Whether you use a syrup, add a peppermint stick or order it from a local coffee shop, you won’t go wrong.

Be sure to use #PeppermintPattyDay to share on social media.

Jen's Perspective Blog

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PIGS-IN-A-BLANKET DAY

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPigBlanketDay

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPigBlanketDay

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalNougatDay

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More Cookies..

HOW TO OBSERVE #LacyOatmealCookieDay

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HOW TO OBSERVE #PeppermintPattyDay

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