National Days Celebrated Today!

National Hot and Spicy Food Day

The sensation in hot and spicy food is termed 'piquance'. Here's my adapted recipe for my favorite seasoning mix.

Montreal Steak Seasoning

2 tablespoon black pepper; cracked
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon garlic crushed garlic flakes
1 tablespoon crushed onion flakes
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon crushed coriander seed or powder
1 tablespoon dill seed
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cumin

Mix well and store in a shaker spice bottle. I love this on meat and on roasted veggies.

National Potato Day

I made baked potatoes Wednesday, braised/fried potatoes with carrots yesterday, so today I think I'll make a hashbrown casserole with cheese, sour cream and mushroom soup. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this casserole! I'll also add a veggie that I'll make hot and spicy to go with it and with left over turkey.

Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

* 2 lbs. frozen hash browns (thawed)
* 1 can Campbell's cream of mushroom soup
* 1/2 cup milk
* 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
* 1 pint sour cream
* salt and pepper to taste
Optional: red pepper flakes and garlic

Mix all ingredients together in a greased/sprayed casserole dish.

Topping:
* 2 cups crushed corn flakes
* 1/4 cup melted butter

Mix together and spread evenly over potatoes.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour.

And another that is similar:

Bacon and Hash Brown Casserole

2 lb. frozen hash browns
4 C. grated cheddar cheese
1 10 3/4 oz. can cream of chicken soup
2 C. sour cream
1/2 C. melted butter
1 C. chopped onion
3 C. crushed cornflakes
1 lb. bacon cooked, drained, and crumbled

Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a bowl combine all ingredients, except for 1/2 of the cheese. Place in a buttered casserole dish and bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and top with the rest of the cheese and return to the oven for another 10 minutes.
6-10 servings
Source: Recipe4Living

Not food related but also National Days are:

National Aviation Day
Stay Home With Your Kids Day

NOTE: I've done the recipes for today in italics to see if it's easier to read the post. Input is greatly appreciated! also, how do you like the blog so far?