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Showing posts with label Food Holiday. Show all posts

Saturday, July 5, 2025

National Macaroni Day - A July Food Holiday

This is a review of National Macaroni Day, which is celebrated each year on July 7th.

What is Macaroni?

Macaroni is a variety of pasta which gets its name, not from its shape, but from the type of dough used to make the noodles. Made with durum wheat, the flour is made from a type of ground semolina, resulting in a softer dough that works best for use with a pasta maker.

After the noodles are made, they are then formed into shells, spirals, straights, and other shapes. The elbow macaroni is the most common form found in the United States.

Macaroni Uses

Macaroni is used in a wide variety of dishes, including casseroles, soups and salads. It is used in both hot dishes and cold dishes. It works equally as well in cheese dishes and meat dishes, perfect for both meat lovers and vegetarians.

Macaroni’s usefulness works especially well for dishes for a large group of people, or simply as a dish to make ahead, making mealtimes easier. A general favorite is the simple Macaroni and Cheese, as there are so many delicious recipes for this family favorite.

My personal very favorite macaroni and cheese dish is one I have had several times at and from Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, a delightful and delicious restaurant found in the historic district of Savannah, Georgia.

*Personal Story about macaroni involves the kid-favorite Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. I have never been very fond of cheese and ever since my teens I have eaten this Mac & Cheese prepared with simply milk and butter ~ no cheese. My family thinks this is very weird, but it is what I prefer. For homemade macaroni & cheese, I like the way Mrs. Wilkes makes their tasty dish seem less ‘cheesy’ then most. It is truly delicious and the only one that really appeals to me ~ cheese-wise!

My very favorite cold macaroni salad is my family’s favorite ‘Shrimp Macaroni Salad’. It is basically made with cooked (and chilled) elbow macaroni, shrimp, diced onions, and a sauce made with mayonnaise, mustard, spices and sour cream. There are several recipe variations, but it is really quite simple to make and very delicious to eat. Traditionally, our family always requests it for several summer holidays, such as Memorial Day and the 4th of July!

Outside the Kitchen!

Macaroni has more uses than just food. It can also be used for fun craft projects for kids. Let the kids play with a box of dry uncooked macaroni for arts and crafts projects. Create such things as necklaces and bracelets, suncatchers, and DIY art projects. Here’s a list of ideas online to get you started. Some call these arts & crafts projects “Pasta Art”.

A Delicious List of Pasta-Related Celebrations

National Spaghetti Day: January 4
National Fettuccine Alfredo Day: February 7
National Tortellini Day: February 13
National Ravioli Day: March 20
National Carbonara Day: April 6
National Macaroni Day: July 7
National Mac & Cheese Day: July 14
National Lasagna Day: July 29
National Noodle Day | October 6
National Pasta Day: October 17
World Pasta Day: October 25
National Parmigiano Reggiano Day: October 27
National Noodle Ring Day: December 11
National Pasta Month | October

To Sum Up this Fun Food Holiday.....

So, on July 7th, choose your favorite macaroni dish and enjoy a delicious meal on this pasta holiday. As you can see by the list above, there are many pasta days throughout the year to enjoy each dish you like best.

+All images in this review are compliments of Pixabay

*National Macaroni Day Review is written by Wednesday Elf

Macaroni Cookbooks:

Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese

Mac & Cheese Cookbook: 100+ Simple Recipes from Homeroom, America's Favorite Mac and Cheese Restaurant

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Saturday, June 7, 2025

National Donut Day - A Holiday Review

National Donut Day is celebrated each year on the first Friday of June. This event began in 1938 as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army. The idea came from the Salvation Army women of World War I who served donuts to soldiers. Known as ‘Donut Dollies’, these women volunteers of the Salvation Army traveled to France to support American Soldiers.

By 1938, the goal was to help those in need during the Great Depression.

Some Donut History

Doughnuts have been around for centuries, although the modern doughnut in America became better known during the 19th century from the influence of Dutch immigrants. The ring shape came from efforts to prevent a raw center and create even frying by punching a hole in the center.

The name for this tasty treat is interchangeably known as donut or doughnut. Doughnut was the original name, with donut becoming a shortened version.

Since ‘doughnuts’ are made from a small lump of sweetened ‘dough’ and ‘nut’ is a way of saying “a small lump”, it is easy to see how this pastry’s name came about.

Other words for donuts include cake, pastry, sweet bun, Danish, sinker, dunker, and crueller. Then we have the popular New Orleans fried doughnut with powdered sugar called a Beignet! Served in many restaurants around the country, beignets are most famously known at New Orleans’ Cafe du Monde.

Personal Favorite Donut Story

My high school years were at a time when Driver’s Education was still taught as part of the school curriculum during school hours. We had some classroom instructions, interspersed with actual driving times. There were three of us girls in the driving part of my class and our time was around 10 a.m. One morning we drove down a street that had a Dunkin Donuts store and we girls begged our instructor to let us stop and get donuts. He said no because, if he did it for us, he’d have to do it for everyone. We promised we wouldn’t tell anyone! He finally relented (to our delight), but said if anyone from class said anything, he’d know one of us ‘told’ and we would lose any further ‘privileges’. None of us EVER told! :)

Summary

This fried dough delicacy has evolved through time and today is available in a wide range of flavors, shapes and toppings. It is now a beloved treat enjoyed around the world.

Whether you frequent a favorite local bakery or donut shop, or make your own homemade donuts, these small sweet fried cakes are a favorite with everyone.

National Donut Day
1st Friday in June

Donut Related Links:

Homemade Donut Recipe
Air Fryer Sugar Cinnamon Biscuit Bites by Sam Monaco
Review of Cafe du Monde in New Orleans by Wednesday Elf

*Donut Day Review written by Wednesday Elf

Kitchen Accessories for Making Your Own Homemade Donuts

Bellemain Premiere Donut Pan for Baking | Nonstick 12.5 x 8.5” Doughnut Pan with 6-Doughnut Molds | Steel Donut Trays | Make Perfect Bagels and Cake Donuts (2)

HULISEN Donut Cutter, 3.5 inch Stainless Steel Doughnut Cutter with Soft Grip Handle, and Small Biscuit Cutter, Professional Baking Dough Tools, Gift Package

Baker’s Friend Mini Donut Maker Machine for Home, 6 x 3'' Mini Doughnut Maker Machine, Donut Maker for Kids, Maquina Para Hacer Donas, Donut Baking Pan, Donut Party, Aqua

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Monday, January 13, 2025

Review Post Holiday Bark Recipe

Leftover Holiday Candy? Repurpose leftover holiday candy and nuts into yummy candy Bark with ease. So easy for any holiday or party any time of the year! Christmas, Halloween and Easter Holidays definitely produce a variety of candy (or sales to stock up!)

How To Make Holiday Candy Bark

Materials

Baking sheet

Parchment Paper

Glass bowl

Ingredients

Leftover Candy

Chocolate or White Chocolate melted, 1 bag of chips or 1-2 Bag of melts

Sprinkles optional.

How To Make

Prepare all the candy, nuts, decorations. Unwrap candy, chop nuts, chop candy if needed.

Prepare the baking sheet with parchment paper.

Melt the chips or melts in the microwave in a glass bowl or the bowl of your choice which is microwaveable.

Microwave on high 1 minute and check. Use 30 second increments after the first minute. After each 30 sec check the chocolate and stir. Check if the chocolate is melted to a spreadable consistency.

With a spatula spread the chocolate mixture over the parchment paper. Thickness should be enough to cover the paper, about 1/4 inch thick.

Add the chopped or whole candy, nuts and sprinkles if desired. Randomly sprinkle over the chocolate mixture.

Freeze or put in refrigerator to set.

Break apart into triangles pieces. Store covered and can store in refrigerator if in danger of melting.

Which Candy, Nuts, Raisins Work Well

There can be trial and error with choosing the best leftover candy. Chopping the candy into bite size pieces is helpful. Raisins, coconut and nuts can usually be used from the package.

Leftover candy canes work well but should be chopped.

Leftover Easter Bunnies work well but should be cut up into smaller pieces.

Chocolate can be testy when melted and each type of chocolate has its' own correct temp to melt. I have found using the microwave on high for 1 minute, check and stir, then in 30 second increments does work well.

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Saturday, December 18, 2021

Oatmeal Muffin Day – A Food Holiday Review

National Oatmeal Muffin Day is celebrated on December 19th each year. It's one of those minor holidays with no known origin, but since it involves a delicious and healthy muffin, we are happy to celebrate this fun foodie day.

A Bit of Background

A Muffin, or Quick-Bread, is similar to cupcakes both in size and in cooking method.

Muffins are popular breakfast foods, especially served with coffee.

Muffins come in many varieties and can be savory (like cheese muffins) or sweet like blueberry or banana nut muffins.

Oatmeal muffins have oatmeal as the primary ingredient – which has many health benefits which far outweigh any worry you might have over calories.

Oatmeal muffin recipes began appearing in American cookbooks as long ago as the mid-1800s. They are made with flour, butter, eggs, OATMEAL, and baking soda as the raising ingredient.

Quick Recipe for Easy Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients for a quick & easy oatmeal muffin recipe I like that I found on Allrecipes include 1 cup of quick cooking oats, milk, an egg, vegetable oil, flour and salt. Baking powder is added as the raising ingredient.

You can find the exact list of ingredients and also the directions for mixing this muffin recipe at the Allrecipes site for Easy Oatmeal Muffins.

Prep time is about 15 minutes and baking in a preheated oven (at 425 degrees) is 20-25 minutes. Not long at all for a dozen tasty breakfast muffins. A warm, delicious treat on a cold morning.