Today is National Chocolate Milk Shake Day!

Do you prefer a chocolate milk shake or a chocolate malted shake? I prefer the malted shake. Do you prefer homemade or have a favorite spot to buy one? I prefer homemade. I'm pretty much a home made type of gal for all my food! Both are yummy and I'd not be able to refuse either!

This week is also recognizing National Waffle Week, National Biscuit And Gravy Week, and National Vegetarian Awareness Week.

Why do we have a National Waffle Day and a National Waffle Week? And why are they recognized in August and September instead of spread out a bit? It seems a tad bit redundant to me!

I'm going to make note to include these yummy items to the menus for this week! Are you?

Rememberance Day 9/11

My thoughts and prayers are in honor of all Americans. We won't forget.

National Days!

Weinerschnitzel Day!

Weinerschnitzel

Ingredients:
sliced veal
bread crumbs
salt & pepper
butter
flour
egg
lemon wedges

Directions:
pound veal slices until they are very thin,(one standard cutlet will be about as round as a dinner plate after tenderizing with a hammer) (hint: cover with plastic wrap before tenderizing, it will reduce bits of meat from splattering) coat the processed veal with flour, season, dip in scrambled egg thed coat with the breadcrumbs, (process all meat first and cook it just before serving, for maximum flavor) Put a small amount of butter in a skillet on med high heat, when butter gets hot place cutlet in butter and fry about 1 minute, gently turn over and fry the the other side for about 1 minute. The meat will cook fast because it is very thin. Repeat process for all pieces of meat. Place on paper towels to drain any excess butter. DO NOT DROWN MEAT IN BUTTER WHEN FRYING AND DO NOT LET BUTTER BURN.

Serve with lemon wedges, which when squeezed over the cutlet will make it taste out of this world. (suggestion: serve asparagus and parsley potatoes with the cutlet and an individual salad. substitute pork cutlet for veal and follow the same process, except pork will take a little longer to cook (stretch the butter with a small amount of oil, when all the pork is cookedadd some flour to the drippings, and cook to thicken, add water then cook it until it recuces to a nice brown gravy (a small dash of Kitchen Boquet) will gice it a deep brown. While the gravey is cooking saute some thin onion slices and mushrooms in another skillet (saute not fry)after the gravy is cooked strain it to get a smooth texture then add the onions and mushrooms and place an ample dip ful over the pork cutlet when it is served, In Germany this is called a Yeager Schnitzel which translates to a "Hunters Schnitzel" because it is more robust.

National Steak Au Poivre Day!

Filet of Beef au Poivre

Source: Ina Garten
Ingredients
6 filet mignon, cut 1 1/4 inches thick
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup chopped shallots (3 to 4 shallots)
1 cup canned beef broth
1/2 cup good Cognac or brandy

Directions
Place the filets on a board and pat them dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the filets with salt and then press the black pepper evenly on both sides. Allow to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter and the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat until the butter almost smokes. Place the steaks in the pan and lower the heat to medium. Saute the steaks for 4 minutes on 1 side and then for 3 minutes on the other side, for medium rare. Remove the steaks to a serving platter and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Meanwhile, pour all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the saute pan. Add the shallots and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the beef broth and cook over high heat for 4 to 6 minutes, until reduced by half, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the Cognac and cook for 2 more minutes. Off the heat, swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve the steaks hot with the sauce poured on top.

The titles of these 2 recipes sound like the recipes would be difficult. Surprisingly, both recipes were rated as EASY! So don't be afraid to give them a try sometime. Also, for the au Poivre, you might like that peppercorn sauce on other meats. I bet it's good on pork chops too!

It's also National Teddy Bear Day! Do you have a teddy bear or do you limit them for the kiddos? I have a stuffed pink pig who plays Farmer in the Dell.

National Date Nut Bread Day

DATE NUT BREAD

Source: Flowers and Thyme B&B

2 cups chopped dates
1 ½ cups boiling water

* Pour water over dates and let stand.

2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter

* Beat the above 5 ingredients together.

1 cup nuts
3 cups flour
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. baking soda

* Add to the creamed mixture and stir till blended. Add the date mixture. Pour into a 13x9" pan. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes.




Date Nut Spice Bread

2 cups coarsely chopped dates (10 ounces pitted)
1/3 cup orange liqueur (recommended: Cointreau or Triple Sec)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 extra-large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon grated orange zest (2 oranges)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (3 oranges)
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans (3 ounces)

For the cream cheese spread:
6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange zest

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom of an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pan.
Combine the dates and orange liqueur in a small bowl and set aside for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar together on medium speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl. With the mixer on low, add the egg, vanilla, and orange zest. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. With the mixer still on low, add the flour mixture alternately with the orange juice to the creamed mixture, beating only until combined. By hand, stir in the dates with their liquid, and the pecans.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese, sugar, and orange zest on medium speed until just combined.
Slice the bread and serve with the orange cream cheese on the side for spreading.

National Days!

You will be very busy celebrating all of these today!

National Acorn Squash Day

One of my favorite ways to make Acorn Squash is to cut the squash in half, clean out the seeds and fibers and place on a baking sheet. Then fill the cavity with what ever sausage is on hand, cover with foil, and bake until the sausage is done and the squash tender. I like to put grated cheese on top just as I take it out of the oven so the cheese has some time to melt while the squash cools just enough to eat.

National Napoleon Day

The Napoleon Dessert! Oh my! I had no idea this was food. I went to see if I wanted to take this out so I had more room for recipes but instead it's staying! I've learned something new and I WANT SOME! So, what is it, you ask? From "the Examiner", "The Napoleon is a french creme filled pastry that is famous for its silky texture amongst a light buttery crust." I do think we should "keep" this for recognition!

I don't have a photo to share, so while you're reading this recipe just envision layers of toasted puff pastry with a sweet filling, topped with a drizzle of honey or syrup and whipped toping! YUM!

The Napoleon Dessert

Ingredients:
•17-ounce package frozen pastry
•chocolate or vanilla pastry cream*
•1 cup powdered sugar
•2 tablespoons water
•1 ounce semisweet chocolate, melted

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lighly flour bread board and rolling pin. Roll dough to 13 x 17 inch triangle, 1/8 inch thick. Transfer to cookie sheet. Prick dough with fork. Cover with another cookie sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove top sheet and continue to bake for 5 more minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.
Cut pastry into thirds, lengthwise. Mix powdered sugar and water. Stir until smooth. Turn over 1 pastry strip on rack. Pour sugar glaze over strip. Smooth with spatula. Quickly pour stripes of chocolate over glaze. Drag knife over top to make decorative design. Let stand until dry, about 30 minutes.

To assemble: Place one unglazed strip on serving platter. Spread half of pastry cream on top. Top with the other unglazed strip. Top with rest of pastry cream. Top that with glazed strip. Chill until firm, about and hour. (Don't chill longer than 3 hours. It may get soggy.) For serving, cut with serrated knife.
Source: http://www.examiner.com/grand-marnier-in-arlington

Vanilla Creme Filling Ingredients:
•2-1/4 cups milk
•4 egg yolks
•2/3 cups sugar
•1/4 cup cornstarch
•1/4 cup flour
•2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Preparation:
Boil 2 cups of milk. Beat yolks with sugar and remaining milk. Whisk until smooth. Add cornstarch and flour until combined. Gradually whisk hot milk into egg mixture. Return to saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils and thickens. Reduce to low and stir for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Pour into a shallow disk. Cover with plastic wrap. (Make sure wrap touches surface to prevent a skim from forming.) Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. Makes approximately 2-3/4 cups.

National Salami Day

I had a salami, cheese, tomato and lettuce sandwich for lunch on whole wheat bread. I've not had any lunch meat for months and salami has always been my favorite lunch meat. I'll have to repeat it tomorrow while that salami is still fresh!

National Strawberry Sundae Day

Is there anyone who might not know what a strawberry sundae is? I don't think I know of anyone who doesn't! This is a wonderful way to end a day.... Ice cream with strawberries and topped with chocolate syrup, nuts and a dollop of whipped cream.

Yum!

National Coffee Ice Cream Day!

National Coffee Ice Cream Day just has to be a WONDERFUL day. Any day we are suppose to eat ice cream is a good day in my book!

Coffee Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups whole coffee beans (decaf unless you want the caffeine in your ice cream)
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
5 large egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon finely ground coffee (press grinds through a fine mesh sieve)

Method
1 Heat the milk, sugar, whole coffee beans, salt, and 1/2 cup of the cream in a medium saucepan until it is quite warm and steamy, but not boiling. Once the mixture is warm, cover, remove from the heat, and let steep at room temperature for 1 hour.
2 Pour the remaining 1 cup of cream into a medium size metal bowl, set on ice over a larger bowl. Set a mesh strainer on top of the bowls. Set aside.
3 Reheat the milk and coffee mixture, on medium heat, until again hot and steamy (not boiling!). In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks together. Slowly pour the heated milk and coffee mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly so that the egg yolks are tempered by the warm milk, but not cooked by it. Scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.
4 Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a heatproof, flat-bottomed spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula so that you can run your finger across the coating and have the coating not run. This can take about 10 minutes.
5 Pour the custard through the strainer and stir it into the cream. Press on the coffee beans in the strainer to extract as much of the coffee flavor as possible. Then discard the beans. Mix in the vanilla and finely ground coffee, and stir until cool.
6 Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Makes one quart.
Source: SimplyRecipes.com

Coffee Ice Cream

Ingredients
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
6 egg yolks
Chocolate curls, for garnish

Directions
Combine the cream, milk, sugar, and coffee in a medium, heavy saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat.

Beat the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Whisk 1 cup of the hot cream into the egg yolks. Gradually add the egg mixture in a slow, steady stream, to the hot cream. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches 170 degrees F. on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down against the surface to keep a skin from forming. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Remove from the refrigerator and pour into the bowl of an ice cream machine. Freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. After the ice cream is made, transfer to an airtight container. Cover tightly and freeze until ready to serve. Garnish with chocolate curls. 1 Quart
Source: Emeril Lagasse

And, speaking of "my book", it's also Read A Book Day!

Happy Labor Day!