Lemon Juice Day
29 August

Only sour pusses would let this day go by without celebrating it.
Have something with lemon juice in it -- a glass of lemonade, tea with lemon, lemon bread, a muffin with Lemon Curd spread on it, or a meal with lemon juice in it.
Learn about the history of lemons, how much lemon juice can be extracted from the average lemon, and what people used to use to add a sour element to food before lemons.
Many bartenders say that fresh-squeezed lemon juice is one of the most important items a bar can have.
Nutrition
1 lemon: 38 calories, 2.16g protein, 11.5g carbohydrate, 83.2mg Vitamin C.
Lemon peel contains proportionately about 5 times more vitamin C than the actual fruit inside does.
Equivalents
6 Lemons = 1 cup of juice / 8 oz / 250 ml
1 medium lemon = 2 - 3 teaspoons zest = 3 tablespoons of juice = 1 1/2 oz = 45 ml
1 pound (450g) Lemons = 5 medium = 3 large
Storage
Lemons will keep for a week at room temperature, or store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks in a plastic bag. Wrap cut Lemons in plastic wrap, keep up to 3 days.
When you have half a Lemon or lime left over, cut it into slices and freeze, then use as ice cubes in drinks, or to cook alongside fish, or to stuff inside a chicken.
History
Many people were involved in the realisation that citrus fruit prevented scurvy, but it was a man named Gilbert Blaine who was able to summarize all the theories into a spoonful of lemon juice a day. By the end of the 1700s, the Royal Navy was ordering 50,000 Imperial gallons of lemon juice a year (230,000 litres).

"We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real Lemons."

-- Alfred E. Newman (MAD Magazine).

Toasted Marshmallow Day
30 August

You don't have to go camping to go celebrate today.

Perhaps you have a gas stove, or a barbeque, or a neighbour who does, and it's even possible to toast a marshmallow over an electric burner.

If all else fails, you could use a kitchen blow torch.

Toasted Marshmallow Day
30 August

You don't have to go camping to go celebrate today.

Perhaps you have a gas stove, or a barbeque, or a neighbour who does, and it's even possible to toast a marshmallow over an electric burner.

If all else fails, you could use a kitchen blow torch.


- pengal

damn it I misplaced my kitchen blow torch

Trail Mix Day
31 August

Mix up your own Trail Mix, or buy it already mixed.

Eat it straight up, or find a muffin or quick-bread recipe that you can bake it into.

Other sources say that Trail Mix Day is the 13th August, and that 31st August is "Eat Outside Day". Though more people plump for today as Trail Mix Day, you can satisfy both factions by eating your Trail Mix outside.

In a bowl combine 1/4 cup of any 8 of the following items:
Unsalted nuts, peanuts, cashews, or almonds
Sunflower seeds
Dried cranberries
Dried cherries
Dried apricots
Raisins
Mini chocolate chips
Mini pretzels
Multi grain Cheerios
Whole wheat Chex cereal
Granola

This food mixture is termed "scroggin" in New Zealand and Australia.

Labour Day

Myth of the day
It's a myth that German Chocolate Cake is German.

National Acorn Squash Day Is September 7
- force

3 acorn squash, about 1 1/2 pounds each, stems cut off
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
6 tablespoons honey
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Set the squash on its side and, with a large knife, cut in half vertically. Trim a piece off the bottom of each squash half so they will lie flat in the pan. Scrape out the seeds and stringy membranes with a large spoon. Place cavity side up in a large roasting pan.
Mix the butter, mustard, and honey in a small bowl until blended. Fill each squash cavity with 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Bake until the squash is very tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Myth of the day
It's a myth that German Chocolate Cake is German.
- pengal

Black Forest Cake contains little to no actual forest

Black Forest Cake contains little to no actual forest
- Crimsoninja

its not really black either

Ice Cream Freezer Patent
9 September

The patent for the first hand-cranked freezer was awarded to Nancy M. Johnson of Philadelphia on this day in 1843.

She received US Patent 3,254 for an "Artificial Freezer": "Be it known that I, Nancy M. Johnson, of the city of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Art of Producing Artificial Ices...."

Empire Apple Birthday
15 September

Not every apple is lucky enough to have an official birthday, but this one does.

This American apple was developed in New York State (the "Empire" State) at Cornell's Experimental Station in Geneva, NY over two decades of selective breeding.

It was released to public on 15 September 1966 by "pomologist" Roger D. Way.

every day is Apple Day for me

Mexican Independence Day
16 September

In Spanish, the Mexicans refer to this day as "El Grito de Independencia", which means the "Cry of Independence".

It is a big celebration in Mexico, bigger even than Cinco de Mayo. The colours of the flag, red, white and green, are used in decorations. There are parades, festivities and eating.

The celebration actually begins the night before, on the 15th, in town squares throughout Mexico.

At 11pm, everyone across the country shouts "Viva Mexico, Viva la independencia", and in Mexico City, a freedom bell is rung.



Drunken Beans
Number of servings: 12 cups
Estimated Prep Time: 30 minutes
Estimated Cooking Time: 2 hours

More like a soup, it's meant to be served in bowls.
Best if made a day ahead of time then reheated for serving.

Ingredients

3/4 pound Bacon (chopped)
3 Onion (large, chopped)
12 cups Pinto Beans (cooked, drained)
4 1/2 cups Beer (dark)
3 cups Stock beef
3 Tomatoes (large, chopped)
1 1/2 cup Coriander (fresh, chopped)
3 Jalapeno Pepper (chopped, finely)
1 tablespoon Sugar

Directions

Peel and chop the onions, wash and chop the coriander and the chiles; set all aside separately.
Chop bacon, fry until crisp in a large pot or Dutch once.
Remove the bacon, leave the fat in and add the onion. Cook the onion on low heat until tender, about 15 minutes.
The add all the ingredients including the bacon back in.
Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for about 1 1/2 hours or until sauce has slightly thickened.

National Apple Dumpling Day.

Apple Dumplings Made Easy

You Will Need

2 Cans Hungry Jack Biscuits
12 Granny Smith Apples
Cinnamon
1 Stick of Margarine
1 Cup of Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Flavoring
1 Cup of Water

Okay to start peel your apples and cut them into pieces the size of a mans thumb. Flatten out your Hungry Jack Biscuits and wrap each little apple portion with a piece of biscuit dough completly around the piece of apple. Place each little wrapped apple piece into a casserole dish that you have sprayed with vegetable oil. You should end up with rows and rows of little dough wrapped apple pieces. While your wrapping your apples preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a cook pot you want to combine the 1 Cup of Water , 1 heaping Teaspoon Cinnamon , 1 Cup of Sugar, 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Flavoring and the Stick of Margarine and let it just come to a boil and remove it from the heat. You then want to carefully pour the mixture over your apple dumplings and place the casserole dish into the pre heated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 min until your biscuit dough is golden brown. When you think you have about 5 minutes of baking time left take your casserole dish out of the oven and sprinkle your dunplings with cinnamon. These are excellent when they come from the oven served with cool whip or vanilla ice creme

September 20: National Rum Punch Day

Its only fitting that I be allowed to present the sausagefest

Oktoberfest
20 September

Oktoberfest -- a time for sausages, tubas, and hairy guys in leather shorts.

Though popularly seen as a German festival, it's really a Bavarian festival -- the centre of celebrations is in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.

During the festival over 6 million people visit the Munich (as of 2002). Not everyone in Munich goes to it; some locals naturally just don't like all the crowds.

Festivities end each night at 11:30 pm, though now a few small tents are open till 1 in the morning for a younger crowd.

Oktoberfest, despite its name, actually starts in September, running over a 16 day period from the third week of September to the first week of October. It starts on a Saturday, and ends on the first Sunday of October. On the first day, things kick off at 11:00 am with a 4 mile parade, and then at noon the mayor of Muich taps the first keg. On the second day, there's a traditional clothing parade.

Food served includes:

* bratwurst
* white sausage, -- a Münchner Weisse sausage
* pretzels with mild mustard;
* roasted fowl (goose, duck or chicken);
* white beer (made from wheat);
* Wiesenbier (meadow beer).


There are six breweries Munich (as of 2001) that all get involved in sponsoring parts of Oktoberfest: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräuhaus, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten.

National White Chocolate Day September 23

White chocolate originates from the cocoa (cacao) plant, but it is not 'chocolate.' According to the FDA, to be called 'chocolate' a product must contain chocolate liquor, which is what gives it the biter intense chocolate flavor (and color) to dark and milk chocolates.

White chocolate contains cocoa butter, milk solids, sugar, lecithin and flavorings (usually including vanilla). Cocoa butter is the fat from cocoa beans, extracted from the cocoa beans during the process of making chocolate and cocoa powder. Cocoa butter has very little 'chocolate' flavor.

Cocoa butter is one of the ingredients used to make real chocolate, it is gives chocolate the ability to remain solid at room temperature, yet melt easily in the mouth.

Cocoa butter is one of the most stable fats known, containing natural antioxidants that prevent rancidity and give it a storage life of 2 to 5 years. It is used for its smooth texture in foods (including chocolate) and in cosmetics and soaps.

Johnny Appleseed Day
26 September

Johnny Appleseed was a nursery grower who is credited with doing more than anyone else to spread apple trees throughout America.

Myth has him walking barefoot and planting apple seeds -- but that wouldn't have done any good, as apple trees don't grow true to seed.

Instead, he sold and gave young, grafted trees to the settlers as he carried his business across the continent.

He was born John Chapman in Leominster, Massachusetts on 26 September 1774. He died at the age of 74 on 11 March 1848.

Apple, Cheese & Wiener Bake

Estimated Prep Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cooking Time: 30 minutes


This is a very flexible dish; you can use far fewer wieners if you have a pack you want to finish off, and you can use more cheese if you wish.

Ingredients

1 pound Wieners
2 teaspoons Mustard
3 Apples (sliced, peeled)
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
1/3 cup Cheddar Cheese (grated)

Directions

Cooking at: 375 F / 190 C / Gas Mark 5

Cut the wieners into thirds lengthwise and put in a bowl and toss them into the mustard.
Then empty this into a buttered casserole dish and top with the sliced apples. Sprinkle the sugar over top and cook at top of the oven for 20 minutes.
Remove and sprinkle the grated cheese on top, then return to the oven and increase the heat (or put the dish under the grill or broiler) until the cheese is bubbling.

Serve hot.

Strawberry Cream Pie Day

There are many different types of Strawberry Cream Pie.

Some types use custard, some cream cheese, some use a version of whipped cream as the filling.

Some get the strawberry flavour from strawberry gelatin, with strawberries acting as garnishes; some get all their strawberry flavour from strawberries on the top, halved or sliced, glazed or left plain.

The pie itself can be put into a regular short-crust pie shell, or one made from graham wafer crumbs or digestive biscuits.

The lingering question is, though, why on earth September? Perhaps it's a ploy to promote out-of-season California or Israeli strawberries. The strawberry season hasn't even started yet in Australia, where it is October through May.

Oh well, treat yourself and a friend to some of this classic summer pie -- in the fall.

Cream Pie Day

- pengal

who doesnt love creating a cream pie?

Devil Spits Day
29 September

On the night of the 29th of September, the Devil is said to spit on Blackberries. Some versions of the tale say it's because when he was kicked out of heaven, he landed in a wienerly patch of blackberries. Other versions say it's to claim them as his own.

Consequently, all blackberries must be gathered by this date. It's also, conveniently, usually the time past which they have gone mouldy and maggoty, anyway.

Because they looked so awful, they were said to be the Devil's "spits".

Devil Spits Day
29 September

On the night of the 29th of September, the Devil is said to spit on Blackberries. Some versions of the tale say it's because when he was kicked out of heaven, he landed in a wienerly patch of blackberries. Other versions say it's to claim them as his own.

Consequently, all blackberries must be gathered by this date. It's also, conveniently, usually the time past which they have gone mouldy and maggoty, anyway.

Because they looked so awful, they were said to be the Devil's "spits".
- succubus

im in. blackberries annoy me.

Michaelmas Day
29 September

Today is the feast of St Michael the archangel, who, among other things, is the patron saint of grocers.

It is also called the "Feast of St. Michael and All Angels" (for Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, though in theory, Gabriel has his own day on 24 March and Raphael his on 24 October.)

Michaelmas Day was a major festival during the Middle Ages; in fact, it was one of the quarter days that divided the calendar year into four: Lady Day (March 25th), Midsummer Day (June 24th), Michaelmas Day (September 29th), and Christmas Day (December 25th). In Sweden, was an official holiday until 1772.

On Michaelmas, rents were due, employment years ended and began, and school autumn terms started.

Michaelmas marked the start of the winter half of the year. It was the end of fishing season, the start of the hunting season for large game. By now, everyone's harvest was usually in, so country fairs were held at which the excess could be sold. It was the time to start harvesting apples and making cider.

Geese as this time of year are sometimes called "green geese" . It doesn't mean that they're actually green; just younger and smaller than the geese that would be sold later at Christmas. It was considered good luck in Ireland and England to have goose on this day; it was believed that it would help to ensure the next year would be prosperous.

There were many different traditions, food customs and superstitions in different countries in Europe.

In Ireland, they'd make a Michaelmas Pie, and hide a ring in it. Whoever got the ring would be married within the year. The Michaelmas Pie was probably a sweet pie (as goose was usually served as the main course), perhaps apple or blackberry.

On this day, waffles were traditional in France, gnocchi in Italy, and mutton in Estonia.

Pumpkin Day
29 September

Perhaps Pumpkin Day is held in September for those for whom the Pumpkin Pie season is too short every year, to allow them to get an early jump on the season.

But still, it's a bit early to carve your pumpkin for Hallowe'en. It won't last, plus it's still got some good quality growing time during which it should be attached still to its vine to sweeten up for pie.

So look instead for a savoury dish that calls for pumpkin or squash in it. And remember, the ones that are grown for their size and and looks, for making into Jack-O-Lanterns, are rarely the best eating ones. A pumpkin only has so much flavour, and the bigger it is, the more spread out and diluted that flavour is.

There's actually a fair bit of vigorous dissension over when Pumpkin Day should be observed.

Most Internet sources plump for 29 September; though a few go one better and say that 7 October is Ripe Pumpkin Day.

In the real world, the Henry Doubleday Research Association sponsors Pumpkin day on the last Sunday in October at the Ryton Organic Gardens south of Coventry in the West Midlands, England. The Royal Horticultural Society holds one at its Rosemoor Garden in Devon on the third or fourth Sunday in October. Everyone else holds a Pumpkin Day within a few days of Hallowe'en.

Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients

3/4 cup water
1 small onion, chopped
1 can (8 ounces) pumpkin puree
1 cup unsalted vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup fat-free milk
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 green onion, green top only, chopped

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat 1/4 cup of the water over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Don't let the onion dry out.

Add the remaining water, pumpkin, broth, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the milk and cook until hot. Don't boil.

Ladle into warmed individual bowls and garnish with black pepper and green onion tops. Serve immediately.


Pumpkin soup with bacon & blue cheese

October 1, National Day of the People's Republic of China

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