NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY TREATS
Today is ‘National Waffle Day’. Here are some Waffle Treats for you to make for your friends and/or family.
Sweet Potato Waffles – a great way to use leftover Sweet Potatoes or just to use your Sweet Potatoes. Good for Breakfast and or Dinner instead of Potatoes.
Sweet Potato Waffle with Apples
Gingerbread Waffles – this is definitely a ‘makeover’ using leftover Gingerbread pieces. This may not be appropriate for ‘National Waffle Day’ in August but keep it mind for your Winter Breakfasts or Desserts!
Gingerbread Waffles
Hong Kong Waffles – a favorite of mine – fun to make and fun to eat. These Waffles are sold as ‘Street Food’ in Hong Kong but can easily be made with your Belgian Waffle Iron.
Hong Kong Egg Waffles
A Hong Kong Waffle spread with Peanut Butter and Sugar
More Waffles – just an overview of the types of Waffle Irons and recipes available today!
Try one or more of these today or for your weekend Brunch, Lunch or Supper
5 of Hearts Waffle Iron
NATIONAL HOT DOG MONTH
July is ‘National Hot Dog Month’ and nothing is probably more American than a Hot Dog except for perhaps a Hamburger. These two popular foods though made thoroughly American have their roots in Europe and mainly Germany. It’s just that we have so thoroughly Americanized these products that if this were a hundred years or so ago, they wouldn’t even be recognized in Europe. Thanks to vastly improved communication, Hot Dogs and Burgers are seen not only in Europe but all over the world.
We all have our favorite Hot Dogs and will probably remember at least one Hot Dog Stand as ideal. Since as a child I never had Hot Dogs outside of our home (except once) I cannot remember one single Hot Dog Stand. However, my sons have a whole repertoire that they can recite to you – many of which are of course my adult favorites too. The most recent addition to our locale is Dayne’s Chicago Dogs. Dayne’s is located on Thousand Oaks Blvd. in the city of Thousand Oaks and their specialty is the Chicago Dog. What makes a Chicago Dog different from other dogs? The points are listed below.
1. A Chicago Dog has to be in a natural casing – it just isn’t a Chicago Dog unless it has that crunch to it.
2. It also must come with Tomatoes, Green Relish and Peperoncini in the bun along with the Dog. And of course don’t forget the mustard.
Dayne’s Chicago Dog
Also pictured with Dayne’s Dog is Garlic French Fries. If you are a Garlic Lover these are ‘Heavenly’.
One of the oldest Hot Dog Stands in the city of Los Angeles is Pink’s which is on La Brea and ironically is practically right next door to where I went to school. Oddly enough, I never heard of Pink’s until maybe a dozen years ago. However, I’m sure I did have a Pink’s Dog unknowingly which was given to me by the Aunt of a girl who I was playing with at the time. This was the first time I had ever had a Chili Dog and quite honestly at 9 years old, I did not like it. More recently though, I did a class that featured the most popular Hot Dogs in and around the Los Angeles area. While I do not like Hoffy Dogs (which Pink’s uses) the toppings at Pinks were outstanding but oddly enough the item I liked best at Pink’s was their Coconut Cake.
Probably my favorite San Fernando Valley Hot Dog was Cupid’s. I first noticed the Cupid’s stand when I was about 11 years old and we had just moved to the Valley. By the time I got around to eating at Cupid’s their main stand was at Victory and Tyrone and it is still there today. The other stand that they have that I have frequented is across the street from Cal State Northridge. For years, Cupid’s only sold their Dogs one way and that was in a bun with mustard and Chili and Onions. As I recall the last time I was there they have added a few things to their dogs such as cheese.
My favorite Dog to cook at home has to be a Kosher Dog with a crunchy skin. I usually buy Vienna as they fit the bill. Boar’s head is second best for at home purchase. Today for lunch I had a Coleslaw Dog made with Boar’s Head Hot Dogs, Homemade Coleslaw and home-grown Yellow Roma tomatoes.
Last year when we were on Kauai, I had a Pineapple Dog – certainly something you would expect to get in Hawaii if nowhere else. It was delicious – just the right amount of sweet/tangy compliment to the Hot Dog.
Pineapple Dog
If you have a favorite dog and pictures of such please feel free to comment and share your photos.
On an ending note, Hot Dogs can be boiled, grilled, barbecued, baked with beans broiled and/or wrapped in pastry. Take advantage of ‘National Hot Dog Month’ and frequent your favorite local Hot Dog Stand.
Categories: Cooking for Kids, Dinner Ideas, Family Fun, Lunch Ideas, Main, National Food Days Tags: Buns, Children's Cooking, Chili, family dinner, Hot Dogs, kids cooking, National Food Days
PIZZA PIE DAY
Monday, February 9th is ‘Pizza Pie Day’. Are you going to go out and have pizza? Or are you going to make and bake your own? Homemade Pizza is delicious and easy to make. I will say that it probably won’t cost you any less to make it than to buy it but the ingredients you use will be better than the ‘Take-Out Pizza’ or the Pizzeria Pizza.
To start with, you need good ingredients. You could cheat a little and buy the Dough already made at Trader Joe’s or an Italian Deli. But, if you have a Food Processor or a Sanding Mixer making the Dough is a cinch. For the recipe see pizza-dough/
Shaped Pizza Dough
For the toppings you will need: Crushed Tomatoes (use a good brand – you want a thick one)
Basil, Oregano, Salt & Pepper
Whole Milk Mozzarella (whole milk is by far better tasting than low-fat)
Shredded Mozzarella
Other additional ingredients: Mushrooms, Onions, Bell Peppers, Olives,
Vegetable Topped Pizza
Pepperoni or whatever else you want on your pizza.
Pepperoni and Vegie Pizza
If you don’t want to create your own, here are some suggestions from other Posts and Pages from Sylveees Kitchen.
Sun-dried Tomato Pizza – -sun-dried-tomato/
Hawaiian Pizza
Mexican Pizza – mexican-pizza
Pizza Night pizza-time/
Okay everyone, get busy and make some Pizza tonight or tomorrow. If you don’t get around to it tomorrow which is Pizza Pie Day, you can still do it anytime this week. The second week in February is ‘American Pizza Bake Week’.
Categories: Baking, Bread, Cheese, Dairy, Italian, Main, Mexican, National Food Days, Pizza, Tropical Tags: baking, Cheese, Cookie Recipes, family dinner, Mushrooms, National Food Days, Pineapple, Tomatoes, Vegetables
NATIONAL OATMEAL MONTH
Oatmeal is one of those foods which we think of as a Breakfast Item, but it has many more uses than just that for Breakfast. Even though Oatmeal makes a wonderfully satisfying and nutritious breakfast, start thinking about it in other terms. In other words, what Oatmeal can and should be used for besides a breakfast cereal.
Here are some of the things that I use Oatmeal for:
#1 is probably what everyone thinks of as a use for Oatmeal besides breakfast and that is Oatmeal/Raisin Cookies. Well, what about Oatmeal/Raisin Waffles. Combining the Cookie and the Waffle in a newly delicious and nutritious breakfast. oatmeal-raisin-waffles/
Oatmeal/Raisin Waffle
Of course, the Oatmeal/Raisin Waffle is still a Breakfast Food but can be used for Lunch or Dinner as well. And speaking of Dinner, how about using Oatmeal in your Meatloaf instead of Bread Crumbs. It actually works much better because it absorbs a lots of moisture and helps to hold the Meatloaf together better than bread crumbs do. Just substitute and equal amount of Oatmeal for the Bread Crumbs in your recipe. ( I usually use about 1 cup of Oatmeal to 3 lbs. of ground meat.
Let’s not leave out the Cookies, though. Here is a link to a kid-friendly recipe for Oatmeal Cookies.
Meatloaf before Baking
The next item that i use Oatmeal for is for part of the coating for Fried Chicken. Try using my recipe – just substitute one cup of Oatmeal for 1 of the cups of Flour. You will be surprised how good and crunchy it is. /fried-chicken/
Oatmeal Fried Chicken
Categories: Dinner Ideas, Main, National Food Days Tags: baking, Chicken, Cookie Recipes, Cookies, family dinner, Meatloaf, National Food Days, Oatmeal, Waffles
NATIONAL WHEAT BREAD MONTH
January is ‘National Wheat Bread Month’. What better time than now to start making and baking your own bread. With what the prices have risen to in fresh bakeries you could make 2-3 loaves for the same price and very little time. If you have a Food Processor or Kitchen Aid, making your own bread is simple, quick and economical, and much more tasty than what you buy in the markets. If you don’t have one of the above appliances, you can still make your own bread with just a little elbow grease and it will help to rid you of any anxiety that you may have incorporated into your body.
Just to show that the bread is easy to make and it doesn’t have to turn out perfectly formed to taste good. Today i made Wheat Bread Dough and then my husband informed that he had just bought some at the market the other day and hadn’t told me about it. Okay, so what do I do now? Make my dough into rolls which really was perfect because we were having Pulled Pork Sandwiches for dinner and they don’t really have to be on French Rolls or regular Hamburger Buns. So here goes – follow the process and see the results. As you can see far below, the rolls are not so perfectly shaped, but this just adds to the interest – they taste good and because they are different shapes you can have them different uses.
The complete recipe can be found under recipes /breads/whole-wheat-bread/
Dry Ingredients in Processor
Dough completely kneaded
Dough being formed
In Bowl covered with Plastic Wrap
Flattened Risen Dough
Risen Dough
Sliced Dough
Shaped into Rolls
Baked Rolls
Categories: Baking, Bread, Main, National Food Days Tags: baking, Bread, family dinner, Honey, National Food Days, White Whole Wheat and Wheat Flour, Yeast Bread
NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER MONTH
November is ‘National Peanut Butter Month‘. Peanut Butter as we probably all know is made from grinding Peanuts. Now, technically Peanuts are not actually nuts. The Peanut does not grow on a tree but rather from plants that are much like Vegetables. Peanuts are also known as ground nuts because of this reason. But to repeat, Peanuts are not actually nuts; they are legumes. Unlike legumes, Peanuts are not usually cooked as a vegetable or even as a main dish. Instead, they are treated much like the tree nuts – they are roasted and salted and eaten out of hand. They are chopped up and added to baked goods. But probably the most popular use for Peanuts is that rich spread we all know as ‘Peanut Butter’.
Peanut Butter has long been a favorite of kids and adults alike. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches not withstanding, how many different ways can you think to use Peanut Butter?
My favorites are Peanut Butter Cookies, Thai Peanut Sauce (made with Peanut Butter) and Reese’s Pieces. There is Peanut Butter Fudge and Peanut Butter Brownies just to name a few. So to observe ‘National Peanut Butter Month‘ I am going to share with you a couple of my favorite recipes. If you have any favorite recipes using Peanut Butter please feel free to share them with my readers.
/One of my very favorite things is the Peanut Butter Sauce served with Chicken and Beef Satay in Thai Restaurants. Technically, Satay is an Indonesian Dish but it has become a popular mainstay in Thai Cuisine. And it is the sauce that really makes the dish! Try this recipe – if you don’t like Chicken you can always substitute Beef or Pork or even Lamb! chicken-satay-with-peanut-butter-sauce/
For lunch today I made a Salad with leftover Shrimp Taco Ingredients. The salad consisted of shredded Lettuce, diced Tomatoes, Cilantro with a squeeze of Lime and Dressed with Spicy Thai Peanut Dressing. Very delicious and taste bud pleasing.
Shrimp Salad with Peanut Dressing
Growing up, Peanut Butter Cookies were always a favorite in our household. Probably the most intriguing thing about Peanut Butter Cookies is those ‘Criss-Cross’ marks made with a fork. Why, I don’t know but if the cookie does not have them, there is definitely something missing! It is those tell-tale marks that tell us that the cookie is a Peanut Butter Cookie. I know of very few other cookies that use this decoration. Instead of plain Peanut Butter Cookies, try this recipe that mimics that childhood favorite – the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. cookies/peanut-butter-jelly-cookies/
Everybody loves Rice Krispy Marshmallow treats and what better than Rice Kirspy Marshmallow treats with Peanut Butter added to them! Try it for yourself or your kids and you will never make them without the Peanut Butter again! /peanut-butter-rice-krispy-candies/
In Hong Kong there is a favorite street food known as Hong Kong Waffles. They are soft waffle that can be rolled up. Before they are rolled they are usually spread with Nutella or Peanut Butter. They are quite delicious and not at all hard to make if you have a waffle iron. deserts/hongkong-style-waffles/
Last but not least there is Chocolate/Peanut Butter Fudge. This contains two favorites – Chocolate and of course Peanut Butter. This is a really simple fool/proof fudge recipe that anyone can make in a very short amount of time. So if you are a Chocolate and Peanut Butter Lover, be sure and try this recipe. candy/peanutbutter-chocolate-fudge/
Then there are the items that we don’t need recipes for. Celery stuffed with Peanut Butter, Crackers with Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter and Jelly or Honey Sandwiches, etc.
All in all, enjoy ‘National Peanut Butter Month’ and see which ways you come up with to enjoy this all time favorite.
APPLE VARIETIES – ‘NATIONAL APPLE MONTH’
October is ‘National Apple Month and what better time to talk about, eat and use Apples in Desserts, Snacks and Meals. Here is an Alphabetical list of some of the Apples available. There are so many, it is almost impossible to be able to keep track of them all. We all have our favorites but it may be fun to try a new one or two. Keep on eye for some of the ones listed below. There is at least one for every letter of the Alphabet except for the letter ‘X’. If anyone knows of an Apple beginning with an ‘X’, please let me know. At the end of this list are links to Apple Recipes in this Blog.
- A Ambrosia, Anna Apple
- B Beverly Hills, Burgundy
- C Crab Apples, Cameo, Captain Kidd, Candy Crisp
- D Delicious, Dawn, Davey, Dayton
- E Epicure
- F Fuji
- G Granny Smith, Gravenstein, Golden Delicious, Gala
- H Hayes, Hampshire, Hawaii
- I Irish Peach, Idared
- J jonathan, Jonagold, Jester, John, Jonadel
- K Kary, Kent, Katya, Keepsake
- L Lady, Liberty, Limelight
- M McIntosh, Maiden’s Blush, Macon
- N Nectar, Niagra, Norfolk
- O Oliver, Opal, Ontario
- P Pippin, Pink Lady, Pacific Rose, Pacific Beauty
- Q Quebec Bell, Queen Cox
- R Razor Russet, Red Delicious, Red Baron
- S Scarlet, Scarlet Surprise, Scarlet O’Hara
- T Taylor, Telstar, Tickled Pink
- W Winesap, Waltz, Wellington
- X
- Y Yates, Yellow Transparent, York Imperial
- Z Zari, Zest
APPLE BREAD – http://www.sylveeeskitchen.com/recipes/baked-goods/breads/apple-bread/
APPLE COOKIES - http://www.sylveeeskitchen.com/recipes/baked-goods/cookies/apple-cookies/
CARAMEL APPLES - http://www.sylveeeskitchen.com/recipes/baked-goods/cookies/apple-cookies/
Categories: Baking, Bread, Breakfast Ideas, Cooking for Everyone, Dessert Ideas, Family Fun, Halloween, Main, National Food Days, Pastry Tags: Apples, baking, Children's Cooking, family dinner, Fruit, National Food Days
NATIONAL BISCUIT MONTH
September is ‘National Biscuit Month and today is the last day of September so we have to take last minute advantage and promote Biscuits. Biscuits are just one of those foods that provide comfort and joy – they are good for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner or even Snack Time. Most Biscuits are made from a Baking Powder or Baking Soda Recipe but there are some that are leavened with Yeast. There is one of each in the Baking Recipe Section of this Blog. Try them and then let me know how you like them or don’t.
Baking Powder Biscuits are more commonly made and served than Yeast Biscuits. Baking Powder Biscuits are made from a shortened Dough, which means that a Shortening Product either animal or vegetable is cut into the flour to shorten the wheat fibers which in turn helps to tenderize the product. A Flour and Water product would pretty much taste like hardtack whereas a product that has a fat in it will be tender and flaky, if made properly. The recipe referred to within this blog is a standard Baking Powder Biscuit and can be enhanced by adding other products to the mixture such as herbs or cheese. Try them in various ways and see what you can come up with. In addition to using them as a bread product for dinner or lunch, they can also be used as dessert. Strawberry Short Cake is called ‘Short Cake’ because a traditional Strawberry Shortcake is made from a shortened Dough which means that some type of fat has been cut into the flour to tenderize it. For Strawberry Shortcake you can make one large biscuit in a 9″ round pan and then cut it in half to make two layers. Fill the middle with Whipped Cream and sliced Strawberries and do the same to the top layer after you put it on the filled bottom layer. You can also make individual portions by making 4 or 5″ round Biscuits.
www.sylveeeskitchen.com/recipes/baked-goods/breads/buttermilk-biscuits/
Pictured below are the ingredients needed to make Baking Powder Biscuits:
I
Ingredients Needed – Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Butter & Buttermilk
Pumpkin Yeast Biscuits are unusual in that they contain Pumpkin, a product which is not usually found in Biscuits and they contain Yeast. Most Biscuit products are leavened with Baking Powder which is a chemical leavening agent.
www.sylveeeskitchen.com/recipes/baked-goods/breads/pumpkin-yeast-biscuits/
Categories: Baking, Bread, Cooking for Everyone, Main, National Food Days Tags: baking, Baking Powder, Bread, National Food Days, Pumpkin, Yeast
NATIONAL BREAKFAST MONTH
Here we are again talking about Breakfasts. Since September is ‘National Breakfast Month’ this is a good format to use – Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – simply because you are breaking a long fast between the last meal of the day before and the first meal of the current day. Your body, like your car, needs fuel to run on and your brain especially needs that fuel to keep you thinking straight. In the last blog I talked about Western Style Breakfasts – that is the Breakfast as we know it in American and also in parts of Europe.
Pictured above is Pineapple and Pork Fried Rice – this would make a good and healthy breakfast for any culture so try having an Asian Style Breakfast sometime if you have leftovers.
Today I am going to be talking about Asian Breakfasts. People in Asia, for the most part, do not have special foods that they eat for Breakfast. Usually it is food left over from the day before. However, in China, Congee, a porridge made from Rice is the preferred Breakfast. Usually leftovers of vegetables, fruit or meat are added to the Congee. Interestingly, the last time we were in Thailand our Hotel served a Breakfast Buffet every morning. Since a considerable number of Chinese people visit Thailand, along with Westerners, the Hotel served a Chinese Breakfast. Congee with a large number of different items that could be added to it. They also served a Western Breakfast. I always have a habit of observing what other people are eating and I noticed that the Chinese guests were eating the Western Style Breakfast. I who always eat a Western Style Breakfast at home was eating the Congee or the Chinese Breakfast. I guess people all over the world do like a little variety in their food.
Japanese people usually eat whatever is left over from the night before as do the people of Thailand. Even though Breakfast Foods per se are not common among the Thai people there are plenty of restaurants in Thailand that do serve a Western Style Breakfast. That being said, if you are Thai you probably have Rice along with perhaps some Pork or whatever happens to be available. When my Sons and Daughter- in – Law were here visiting, my Thai Daughter – in – Law fell in love with Breakfast Jacks. She also loves to make a Thai Omelet which isn’t necessarily eaten for Breakfast. A Thai Omelet is similar to Egg Foo Young but is still different. It is quite delicious and can be eaten for any meal of the day.
Chicken Fried Rice
Kauai Fried Rice
More Fried Rice Photos just to the left. The top one is Chicken-Fried Rice – a good way to use up leftover Chicken and the one on the bottom is Fried Rice I made when we were in Kauai. There is a strong Asian influence in modern Hawaiian Food and Rice is frequently eaten for any meal.
For Western Breakfast Ideas please see the previous post ‘Breakfast’ in this Blog.
Categories: Asian, Breakfast Ideas, Main, National Food Days Tags: Asian, Breakfast, Congee, Eggs, National Food Days, Pineapple, Rice, Tropical, Western Breakfast
NATIONAL CHICKEN MONTH
September is ‘National Chicken Month’. Here are some really delicious Chicken Recipes for you to try!
FRIED CHICKEN: Fried Chicken is everybody’s favorite and mine especially. Try substituting Oatmeal or Rice Flour for some of the Flour and you will have the crispiest, best tasting Chicken ever! /fried-chicken/
Fried Chicken
Another delicious way to prepare Chicken is ‘Chicken Picatta’. An Italian delicious it is redolent with the flavor of fresh Lemon Juice. If you love anything Lemon, then you will certainly love this Chicken Dish. Serve it with Linguini or Risotto. The sauce from the Chicken will help to flavor the rice or pasta. /dinner/chicken-picatta/
Chicken Piccata
Chicken Cacciatore is another Italian Chicken Dish, but this time it is made with a Tomato Sauce that goes perfectly with your favorite pasta. It is best made with fresh tomatoes but canned can also be used. chicken-cacciatore/
Chicken Cacciatore
For more delicious Chicken Recipes visit the Appetizer Section appetizers/ in the Recipe Section of this Blog.
Categories: Cooking for Everyone, Dinner Ideas, Main, National Food Days Tags: Chicken, Cookie Recipes, family dinner, Gourmet Foods, Lemon, National Food Days, Pasta, Tomatoes
