National Month of...

Did you know June is National Iced Tea Month?

Now for a quiz: June is not the National Month for which of the following?

• Candy
• Papaya
• Dairy
• Grilled Cheese
• Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
• Seafood
• Turkey Lovers

Check the bottom of the post for the answer.

If you still haven't had enough food celebrations, you can celebrate National Almond Buttercrunch Day today and National Ice Cream Soda Day tomorrow. Delicious!

If you guessed Grilled Cheese, you're correct! National Grilled Cheese month belongs to April. And yes, believe it or not, June is indeed National Turkey Lovers' Month!

National Apple Pie Day

I must agree with Jane Austen -

"Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness."

Go make a pie (ok, or buy one), and be blissfully happy.

Welcome March!

Somehow March arrived. 2010 must be in quite a hurry....

I just learned that March is National Peanut month. A few fun facts about our favorite "nut."

* Peanuts are NOT nuts. They are legumes and grow underground.

* Two of our United States Presidents were peanut farmers: Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter.

* It takes 850 peanuts to make an 18 oz jar of peanut butter.

* There are four distinct types of peanuts: Runners (most commonly used in peanut butter); Virginias (most commonly eaten out of the shell); Spanish (most commonly in peanut candy); and Valencia (less common and sweet!).

* Raw peanuts in an intact shell can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-5 months; 6-9 months in the freezer.

* Peanuts and peanut butter are an excellent source of protein and contain nearly half of our essential vitamins and 35% of essential minerals.

National Fettuccine Alfredo Day

The story goes that restaurateur Alfredo Di Lelio developed the deliciously butter- and Parmigiano-Reggiano-heavy recipe in an attempt to bring back his pregnant wife's lost appetite.

It worked. The dish was promptly added to Alfredo's menu.

About a decade later, two famous honeymooners, Mary Pickford and Douglad Fairbanks, happened upon the new pasta dish.

They loved it. The two lovebirds served their new found favorite to other celebrity-types upon their return to Hollywood, and it quickly gained in popularity.

And the rest is history.

National Chocolate Cake Day

What a perfect excuse!

Lava, death by, flourless, devil's, molten, torte, souffle, mousse..... the chocolate cake options are endless.

A good friend down in Orange County sent me her favorite chocolate cake recipe. YUM. Top it with your favorite chocolate icing and you're ready to celebrate National Chocolate Cake Day!

CHOCOLATE CAKE

10 to 12 servings

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

3. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

5. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks,

What is your favorite kind of chocolate cake? Have a favorite recipe you want to share?