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 SHRIMP DAY
May 10th is ‘National Shrimp Day’. Shrimp are absolutely one of my favorite seafood in any form or style. Below are a few recipes for you to try – one or all. Enjoy preparing them and then enjoy eating them.
Grilled Shrimp – marinated in Garlic, Basil, Lemon Juice and Olive Oil. These shrimp are delicious as an appetizer, main dish or in a salad. Good for any time, not just National Shrimp Day.
Grilled Shrimp
Coconut Fried Shrimp – great for a Backyard Luau or any Summer/Spring Meal. Served with an Orange-Lime Sauce.
Coconut-Shrimp
Shrimp Fritters – a delicious and different way to eat Shrimp. For those of us who love Shrimp and who Fritters, this is the perfect dish. Shrimp Fritters can be served as an appetizer with Cocktail Sauce or as a main dish with a salad and or vegetable.
Shrimp Fritters and Cocktail Sauce Enjoy your Shrimp today in whatever way you wish to prepare it, but remember that Shrimp are good any time and any place. So try one or more of these recipes today and save one for another day or month! ENJOY!!!
RECIPES FOR CINCO DE MAYO
Cinco de Mayo will be here in 2 hours or earlier for East Coasters. Here are a few recipes you can use for your Celebrations tomorrow.
We will start with Appetizers including Salsas and conclude with Rice, Empanadas and Lemonade.
Mango Salsa which makes use of fresh Mangoes, Limes, Red Bell Peppers and Jalapenos if you wish.
Tacos w. Mango Salsa and Guacamole
Nachos – start with good quality chips, Cheese Sauce with Jalapenos (if desired) and serve with Salsa and Guacamole.
Nachos – Cheese Sauce on the Bottom – Salsa and Guacamole can go on top
Salsa Cruda
Salsa Cruda – incorporates diced fresh Tomatoes, Jalapenos or Serranos, Cilantro, Lime Juice and a little Salt.
Beef Empanadas are more traditionally an Argentine Dish but they can also be found in Mexican Cooking. The Empanada can be filled with whatever you please – diced Steak or Chicken or Ground Beef along with Tomatoes, Onions, Cheese and maybe some Chilies.
Beef Empanadas…made in one of my classes.
Sparkling Lemonade – we first had this in Acapulco and I have been making Lemonade this way every since. It is delicious, refreshing and a great accompaniment to any meal.
Sparkling Lemonade
Categories: Beverages, Condiments, Cooking for Kids, Dinner Ideas, Family Fun, Food Festivals, Holiday Ideas, Holiday Meals, Holiday Tidbits, Main, Mexican, Tropical, Tropical Food Tags: Appetizers, Avocadoes, Chlies, Cinco de Mayo, family dinner, holiday recipes, kids cooking, Limes, Mexican, National Food Days, Rice, Tomatoes
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
USES FOR LEFTOVER PIZZA DOUGH
IF YOU MAKE YOUR OWN PIZZA YOU MAY TEND, LIKE I DO, TO HAVE EXCESS DOUGH. THERE ARE 3 WAYS IN WHICH I LIKE TO USE THE EXCESS DOUGH AND AM GOING TO SHARE THEM HERE.
A. BREAD
Unless your Pizza Dough is made with a lot of Olive oIl, the Bread made form it may be somewhat chewy. For those that like that kind of Bread, then there is no problem. Personally, I love my Bread to be chewy. However, if you want it to be softer, work some Olive Oil or softened Butter into the Dough before shaping it.
To make Bread from your leftover Pizza Dough just shape it into a round or oblong loaf. If you have a Bread Shaping Basket you can sprinkle that with flour and place your Bread in it to rise. If not, place it in a greased loaf pan or on a greased and corn-meal sprinkled baking sheet. However, the problem with using a large baking sheet is that the Bread will tend to spread out rather than raise up, thereby making it sort of flat.
Cover the shaped Bread with a clean Dish Towel or Plastic Wrap and place in a warm spot to raise. When it has risen to twice its size, brush with a Beaten Egg and sprinkle with Sesame or Poppy Seeds and/or some Coarse Sea Salt. Bake on the bottom shelf of a 400 degree oven for approximately 25 minutes or until the top is Golden Brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped on.
If your Bread has risen in a Basket, gently turn it over (to release it) onto a greased Baking Pan and bake as in the paragraph directly above.
B. FRIED DOUGH
Roll you Dough out as thinly as possible, then cut into 4″squares.
Add Peanut or Vegetable Oil to a depth of 3″ and heat to 350 degrees. (Test with a Deep Fat Thermometer or a Laser Thermometer.
Fry no more than 4 pieces of Dough at a time; when they are golden brown remove with a spider or tongs and drain on a cooling rack placed over a jelly roll pan or on paper towels.
Sprinkle with Powdered or Cinnamon Sugar or serve with Whipped Cream and sliced Fruit.
C. FOCCACIA
My favorite use for leftover PIZZA DOUGH is Foccacia. Foccacia is a popular flat bread and is simple to make. You do need to have a decent amount of Dough left over (at least half a pound).
Roll the Dough out to a thickness of at least 1″. Place on a greased baking sheet and then make indentations with your fingers. Brush with Olive Oil and then sprinkle with shredded Parmesan Cheese. If desired, dress with sliced Olives and/or Sun-dried Tomatoes. (The featured photo shows a Foccacia with an Olive Salad on it)
Bake on the lower shelf of a 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on both the top and bottom.
Categories: Baking, Bread, Cooking for Everyone, Leftovers, Main Tags: baking, Bread, Cheese, Cookie Recipes, Leftovers, National Food Days, Pizza, Tomatoes
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 – https://www.sylveeeskitchen.com/recipes/baked-goods/breads/apple-bread/
APPLE COOKIES - https://www.sylveeeskitchen.com/recipes/baked-goods/cookies/apple-cookies/
CARAMEL APPLES - https://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
