The National Food Holidays of April 2013

As we enter the 4^th month of the year, we get one step closer to weekends filled with great BBQs, numerous outdoor events and for the kids late nights staying up enjoying the warm summer air and all of the mischief that comes with it. When the temperatures rise, everyone begins to feel a bit more comfortable showing off those beach ready bodies they have been “working on” for the last few months. April is a special month for us as well, because it marks the start of many great things in nature and in the kitchen. 

Last year around this time we noted how the constant rise in the cost of fuel was making it harder for everyone to make a dollar without compromising the quality of the food they offered to their customers. We know that times aren’t getting any easier, but when people pull together to help one another overcome an obstacle no matter what it may be, things get accomplished for the better. With that being said, let us get to enjoying some good food, strong drinks and all of the wonderful #FoodHolidays found in April.

April is:

National Florida Tomato Month

National Food Month

National Soft Pretzel Month

National Soy Foods Month

National Bake Week, begins the 1^st Monday in April

National Baked Ham w/ Pineapple Day is on Easter (whether March or April)

National Egg Salad Week is the 2^nd week of April

National Hot Cross Bun Day is on Good Friday (whether it be in March or April)

April 1         National Sourdough Bread Day        

April 2         National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day

April 3         National Chocolate Mousse Day

April 4         National Cordon Bleu Day

April 5         National Caramel Day

April 5         National Raisin & Spice Day

April 6         National Caramel Popcorn Day

April 7         National Coffee Cake Day

April 8         National Empanada Day

April 9         Chinese Almond Cookie Day

April 10       National Cinnamon Crescent Day

April 11         National Cheese Fondue Day

April 12         National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

April 12         National Licorice Day

April 13         National Peach Cobbler Day

April 14         National Pecan Day

April 15         National Glazed-Spiral Ham Day

April 16         National Eggs Benedict Day

April 16         Day of the Mushroom

April 17         National Cheeseball Day

April 18         Animal Crackers Day

April 19         Garlic Day

April 19         National Amaretto Day

April 20         National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day

April 20         Lima Bean Respect Day

April 21         Chocolate Covered Cashew Truffle Day

April 22         National Jelly Bean Day

April 23         National Cherry Cheesecake Day

April 23         National Picnic Day

April 24         National Pigs in a Blanket Day

April 25         National Zucchini Bread Day

April 26         National Pretzel Day

April 27         National Prime Rib Day

April 28         National Blueberry Pie Day

April 29         National Shrimp Scampi Day

April 30         National Raisin Day

ROTD: Shredded Chicken Empanada's

Empanadas are no joke. The perfect food for a day like this, you can’t go wrong with a few bites of Shredded Chicken Empanada in your stomach, whether your headed to work, the beach or to lounge poolside, these babies can’t be beat when your serving these alongside some strong mixed libations…

Enjoy!!!

Ingredients

1 TBS olive oil

½ cup chopped onions

Kosher Salt

Crushed red pepper flakes

½ lb skinless chicken breast, finely chopped

1 tsp chopped garlic

¼ cup sliced green onions

¼ cup chopped black olives

½ cup chopped green pimento stuffed olives

3 TBS seedless raisins, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and drained

2 hard boiled eggs, finely chopped

Empanada dough, recipe follows

Directions:

In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the oil.

When the oil is hot, add the onions.

Season with salt and crushed red pepper, saute for 2 minutes.

Add the chicken, saute for 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove from the heat and turn into a mixing bowl.

Add the garlic, green onions, olives, raisins and eggs, season with Kosher salt.

Mix well.

On a floured surface, roll the dough out to a circle, 1/8-inch thick.

Using a 4-inch round cutter, cut the dough into individual circles.

Press the remaining dough together and repeat the above process.

Preheat the fryer.

Place about 1 tablespoon of the filling in the center of each circle.

Lightly wet the edges of the dough with water.

Fold the dough over, forming a half-moon, using your fingers, seal the edges completely and crimp the sides of the dough.

Place the finished empanadas on a parchment lined baking sheet. 

Fry in batches until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove and drain on paper towels.

Season with Kosher salt.

Serve warm on a large platter. 

Garnish with parsley.

Yield: about 1 ½ dozen empanadas

Empanada Dough:

1 cup masa harina

½  cup flour

½ cup yellow cornmeal

½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp  Kosher salt

½ tsp fresh ground black pepper

1 TBS lard

1 cup warm water

In a mixing bowl combine the masa harina, flour, cornmeal and baking powder.

Season with the salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. 

Cream in the lard and add the water a little at a time, working the mixture until all is completely incorporated.

Using your hands, form the dough into a log about 12 inches long by 3 inches across and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.

Empanadas Venezuela

Today Ladies & Gents is National Empanada Day. Nothing bad can be said about Empanadas as they encompass so many great things, a flaky crust wrapped around an uncountable amount of possible fillings, from meats, to fruits to even vegetables these are the original on the go treat used to sustain people who had to endure long journeys where food wasn’t always readily available.

Living in Southern California, if you don’t know what they are, or you haven’t had one, first I must say what rock have you been living under and second why the hell haven’t you tried one?

Today’s Recipe of The Day comes from Venezuela, where Empanadas are commonly found just about everywhere you look. The recipe calls for a simple cut of beef that is broken down by slow cooking which results in tender juicy pieces of perfectly seasoned beef wrapped in a warm flaky crust in every bite.

For those that aren’t up on these great treats, an empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry baked or fried in many countries of Latin America and the south of Europe. The name comes from the verb empanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Empanada’s, are made by folding dough around any firm of stuffing you desire and baking or frying them until they are crispy enough to eat.

The stuffing can consist of a variety of meats, vegetables, or even fruits.

Enjoy a few of these today, this weekend or sometime soon, you have no clue what your missing out on.

(Read The Entire Recipe After The Jump)