National Peanut Day and International Chocolate Day is September 13th

Nut Photo Courtesy of nuthealth.com

National Peanut Day & International Chocolate Day Falls on September 13th…This is one fo those dates, when the selected foods of the day actually go quite well together – who doesn’t love Reeces peanut butter cups? – Well actually the ex hubby doesn’t – but that’s not relevent, just like him…

But when I would go out to grocery shop, knowing he couldnt stand peanut butter cups, I would throw a couple into my mouth, just chewing them till they melted, come into the home with open hands, asking for kisses as he would always give me kisses back – he got slam-tricked everytime with the taste of peanut butter cups in his mouth… hehehe…little naughty chef maven was I….the current man in my life doesn’t like rootbeer – what a shame…more for me then!

Other tidbits and interesting history on this September 13th to note (courtesy of foodreference.com)

1592 Michel de Montaigne died. French essayist. There are a few of his quotes about food and dining listed on the Food Reference website.
(“A man should not so much respect what he eats, as with whom he eats.”)

1857 Milton Snaveley Hershey of chocolate fame was born.

1876 American author, Sherwood Anderson was born. In 1941 Anderson supposedly swallowed a toothpick or a swizzle stick while at a cocktail party in the Panama Canal Zone, and died of peritonitis.

1909 ‘The Chocolate Soldier,’ an operetta by Oscar Straus and Stanislaus Strange, opened in New York.

1916 Roald Dahl was born. British author, one of his most popular books was ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’ the film version was titled ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.’ Some of his other books are ‘A Piece of Cake,’ ‘Pig,’ ‘Royal Jelly,’ ‘Smell’ and ‘Lamb to the Slaughter.’

1922 The highest temperature ever recorded in the shade, 136.4 degrees F was recorded in a village 25 miles south of Tripoli, Libya.

1955 Little Richard recorded ‘Tutti Frutti’

1977 Fiona Apple, singer, songwriter was born.

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Personally I like all nuts, except those with two legs adn are running around threatening the public, but that’s just me. What is your favorite way to serve up nuts? Share with us….

National Chocolate Milkshake Day is September 12th

Chocolate Milkshake Day

Here’s another good day to find a local ice creamery around your town. A chocolate milkshake is always a winner in my book, now obviously I might have one or two milkshakes a year if I am lucky since I try not to indulge too often of such good treats – but here is one recipe to make your very own chocolate milkshake.

Chocolate Milkshake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 5 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• 2 tablespoons malt (optional but creates that oh my Friendlies feel and taste)
• 2 scoops chocolate ice cream
• sturdy blender

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to blender, and whirl it up….
2. If you want to add some decadence, in your tall glass, drizzle a little of the chocolate syrup in the glass, then pour in your milkshake – enjoy!

National Steak au Poivre Day is September 9th

Preparing Steak Au Proivre by JSPATCHWORK

National Steak au Poivre Day – Oh I just love it – steak au poivre that is…. and when it’s good, it’s really good! So let’s get right to it…who wants the recipe? I do, I do – with hands waving up at high as they can…

Steak au Poivre Recipe:
Courtesy of Alton Brown – I had to go to the top for this one…

4 tenderloin steaks, 6 to 8 ounces each and no more than 1 1/2 inches thick
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons whole peppercorns
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/3 cup Cognac, plus 1 teaspoon
1 cup heavy cream

Remove the steaks from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour prior to cooking. Sprinkle all sides with salt.Coarsely crush the peppercorns with a mortar and pestle, the bottom of a cast iron skillet, or using a mallet and pie pan. Spread the peppercorns evenly onto a plate. Press the fillets, on both sides, into the pepper until it coats the surface. Set aside.

In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil. As soon as the butter and oil begin to turn golden and smoke, gently place the steaks in the pan. For medium-rare, cook for 4 minutes on each side. Once done, remove the steaks to a plate, tent with foil and set aside. Pour off the excess fat but do not wipe or scrape the pan clean.

Off of the heat, add 1/3 cup Cognac to the pan and carefully ignite the alcohol with a long match or firestick. Gently shake pan until the flames die. Return the pan to medium heat and add the cream. Bring the mixture to a boil and whisk until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Add the teaspoon of Cognac and season, to taste, with salt. Add the steaks back to the pan, spoon the sauce over, and serve.

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Chef Maven suggests pairing this up with green beans, a bright salad, and crispy roasted red bliss baby potatoes to make a delightful meal. If you are drinking wine – a deep caberet would be suggested, one which is heavy in flavor to match up against the steak.

Other important things that happened on this date, September 9th in history:
courtesy of foodreference.com

1754 William Bligh was born. He became captain of the English ship, ‘Bounty,’ and while sailing to Tahiti to bring back breadfruit trees, the most famous mutiny in history took place.

1890 Harland Sanders was born near Henryville, Indiana. Founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food restaurant chain. I love the smell of his food, but have issues with how they preprare the chicken so to speak…so I do not support KFC.

1901 Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec died. French artist who documented Parisian night life in the 1890s with his insightful posters.

1995 Orville Redenbacher died. Founder of gourmet popcorn company. And I still love his popcorn – love to do rosemary popcorn in browned butter.. mmmm

1999 ‘Catfish’ Hunter, baseball pitcher, died. wow somehow I missed this.