NATIONAL FRIED CHICKEN DAY

In the United States, July 6th chicken lovers across the country recognize National Fried Chicken Day by feasting at a nearby restaurant, home, or an outdoor picnic.

Scottish immigrants brought their tradition of deep-frying chicken in fat to the southern United States. After its introduction to the American South, fried chicken soon became a staple. Over time, cooks added seasonings and spices to enrich the flavor of the chicken.

Fried chicken is a dish consisting of chicken pieces floured or battered, then pan-fried, deep-fried or pressure-fried. The breading adds a crisp coating to the exterior of the chicken. Knowing how to get a good crisp on the chicken may seem elusive to some. However, some of the best cooks will tell you the keys to achieving the crispiest fried chicken involves seasoning well and early in the process, adding starch to your flour and frying your chicken at the right temperature. The oil should be 300°F. Finally, let the chicken rest before serving to allow the juices to be absorbed back into the meat. Just like beef and pork, the chicken will be more tender when we allow it to rest. 

Try this great Keto, low carb friendly version to. Use it on salads, as an entrée or even things like homemade Cordon Blue. The flavor is worth the work.

Traditionally the chicken is fried in lard. However, corn oil, peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil are also frequently used.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFriedChickenDay

Use this batter mix as you try this fried chicken recipe. Serve it with your favorite side dishes, too. Potato salad, cornbread, greens, or watermelon. And be sure to share! Invite some friends over, make some fried chicken, and share photos on social media using #NationalFriedChickenDay.

NATIONAL ROTISSERIE CHICKEN DAY

On June 2nd each year, chicken lovers celebrate National Rotisserie Chicken Day. While there a numerous ways to cook a whole chicken, rotisserie chicken offers a slow cooking method that seals in flavor.

When cooking chicken using a rotisserie chicken, the whole chicken is cooked on a rotisserie or spit that turns continuously over a heat source. This process slowly roasts and sears the skin to seal in the flavor. The result is a tender and juicy chicken. Some cooks inject rotisserie chicken with a blend of seasonings to give increase the flavor. The popularity of rotisserie chicken continues to grow as the health benefits of it become more widely known.

Rotisserie chicken goes well with a variety of side dishes, too. Whether you like traditional salads, potatoes, rice, and steamed vegetables, or more elaborate dishes, you will not go wrong. You can even use the leftovers in many ways, including salads, sandwiches, and casseroles. It is just as delicious cold as it is hot, too.

NATIONAL ROTISSERIE CHICKEN DAY HISTORY

Boston Market Restaurants founded National Rotisserie Chicken Day in April of 2015 to celebrate the delicious and tender flavor achieved through slow-cooked rotisserie chicken.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #RotisserieChickenDay

Pick up some rotisserie chicken to celebrate! It is perfect for lunch or dinner. You can also share your favorite recipes. Share photos of your friends and family on social media enjoying rotisserie chicken and include #RotisserieChickenDay in the post.

NATIONAL PIZZA PARTY DAY

Each year on the third Friday in May, millions of pizza lovers across the nation join in extolling the qualities of pizza on National Pizza Party Day.  Celebrate by inviting friends and family to share a night of fun at your favorite pizzeria.  Another way to celebrate is with a homemade pizza with fresh toppings or by having one delivered.

  • In ancient Greece, Greeks enjoyed bread covered with oils, herbs, and cheese.
  • In Byzantine Greek, the word was spelled “πίτα”, pita, meaning pie.
  • A sheet of dough topped with cheese and honey, then flavored with bay leaves was developed by the Romans.
  • The modern pizza had its beginning in Italy as the Neapolitan flatbread.
  • The original pizza used only mozzarella cheese, mainly the highest quality buffalo mozzarella variant which was produced in the surroundings of Naples.
  • It was estimated that the annual production of pizza cheese in the United States in 1997 was 2 billion pounds.
  • The first United States pizza establishment opened in 1905 was in New York’s Little Italy.
  • Pizza has become one of America’s favorite meals.

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Be sure to check out more ways to celebrate all things pizza, like National Pizza Month, National Pizza Day, National Cheese Pizza Day, National Sausage Pizza Day, and National Deep Dish Pizza Day.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Share photos of your pizza party on your favorite social media and include #PizzaPartyDay

NATIONAL POULTRY DAY

Poultry is the theme for March 19th as it is National Poultry Day. No fowl moods or ruffled feathers. However, there may be some quackers and gobbling going on. 

Kick the day off with eggs and turkey bacon for breakfast. Around lunchtime, serve an open-faced turkey avocado sandwich. Then perhaps, finish off the day with a good, ol’ fashioned fried chicken dinner. 

Poultry refers to domestic birds that are raised for meat and eggs. These birds include chicken, turkey, ducks, geese, quail, and pheasant. Poultry is farmed in large numbers with chickens being the most numerous.

It is believed that chicken was introduced to American soil by European explorers in the 16th century. Most Americans raised small flocks, enough to feed their families. Over time, chicken consumption in the United States increased. And during World War II, due to a shortage of beef and pork, chicken stepped in to fill the protein need.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees poultry production in the United States. Estimates place production at around 9 billion chickens in the United States. Chicken and turkey are lower in fats and cholesterol than other meats.

Poultry can be prepared in many different ways including roasting, baking, frying, grilling, sautéing, steaming, and broasting. The size of the chicken typically determines the best cooking style to use. 

A Brooding and a Gaggling

While a group of chickens is called either a brood or peep, if they are chicks we call them a clutch or chattering. When it comes to ducks and geese, their collective nouns depend on where they are in relation to the Earth. A group of ducks in flight is called a flock, but once they land on the ground their collective nouns change. We call them either a brace or a badling. If they take to water they could be called a raft, team or paddling. Whether geese are in the air, ground, or on the water, we generally use the collective noun flock. However, in flight, they can be called a skein, too. Once they land, though, they can be a gaggle, herd or corps.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPoultryDay

Enjoy your favorite poultry dish, either at home or your favorite restaurant. Feel free to try one of the following recipes:

Chicken Bacon Bites
Chicken Enchiladas I
Classic Turkey Pot Pie
Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast
Smothered Pheasant
Easy Pheasant Casserole

Use #NationalPoultryDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PIZZA DAY

National Pizza Day is observed annually on February 9th.

Whether it is thin crust, Chicago-style, deep dish, cheese, sausage, or anything in between, pizza is an American favorite.

Here are some interesting facts about pizza:

  • Pepperoni is the most popular pizza at 36% of all pies ordered.
  • Over 3 billion pizzas are sold in the USA each year.  Add another 1 billion on frozen pizzas
  • 17% of all US Restaurants are pizzerias.
  •  Antica Pizzeria, the first Pizzeria, opened in Naples, Italy, in 1738.
  •  Gennaro Lombardi, the first Pizzeria in the United States, opened in 1895 in New York City.
  • Americans consume on average 23 pounds of pizza per person each year.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Throw a pizza party and give the following recipes a try:

Mom’s Homemade Pizza with fun memories

Mom’s pizza dough recipe

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPizzaDay

Use #NationalPizzaDay to post on social media.