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

Happy Garlic Day

With the #FoodHoliday of the day being National Garlic Day, we wanted to take a moment and promote the many wonderful uses of Garlic, and yes, there certainly are many uses above and beyond flavoring a dish or thwarting off the fiendish attempts of an evil force.

We all have seen a movie or two where Garlic is believed to ward off evil spirits, but hey what do we know about evil spirits? The only evil spirits we know are the ones made with cheap Heritage liquor and smell of next day headaches.

Garlic is a vegetable, its' an herb, and is used in recipes around the world. Garlic has been used medicinally for thousands of years.

About the only negative things you can say about garlic, are that it can negatively affect an otherwise romantic evening and can be toxic to your cats and dogs.

As a medicinal herb garlic is used to:

Phytochemicals (Chemical compounds such a Beta-Carotene, found naturally in plants) provide protection against heart disease and cancer, specifically, stomach and colorectal cancers.

Garlic has been proven to help fight off colds and flu, lower blood cholesterol levels and

reduce the buildup of plaque in arteries.

Other great uses are that Garlic has been found to reduce the unpleasant appearance of acne and warts and even better can also help towards calming toothaches.

Almost every recipe we have on the site calls for Garlic in one way or another so please make use of these recipes. Look at it this way your helping to build up your immune system, fend off a vampire or just make a nasty person stay up out your face either way you look at it.

Once you take a little bit of time and research all of its medical benefits, you might find yourself adding it into just about everything you eat (except your breakfast cereal of course.)

Recipe Of The Day: Gambas Al Ajillo (Shrimp w/ Garlic)

For those in the know it is National Garlic Day and here in California we love our garlic. Partly because we have such an abundance of this wonderful flavor enhancer due to our great coastlines and weather and two because of the influx of so many nationalities with various cuisines that call for the mighty stinking rose.
Today being the holiday it is, calls for this awesome spanish inspired dish Gambas Al Ajillo or Shrimp w/ Garlic. This dish is best served piping hot and as an appetizer.