I will admit that I enjoy any day that celebrates food, because I haven’t met (ingested) many foods I haven’t liked. But April is, I think, my favorite month of food. I think you’ll see why before we even get through the first week!
April Food Celebration Days:
- National Sourdough Bread Day. Sourdough is actually a fascinating culinary science project –
- National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. ‘Nuff said.
PB & J
- National Chocolate Mousse Day. Oh.yes. And don’t panic: here’s a yummy swap.
- National Caramel Day. The possibilities are ENDLESS!
- National Caramel Popcorn Day. Try Dirt Candy’s delicious Popcorn Pudding recipe, serviced with caramel popcorn on the side!
- Coffee Cake Day. I haven’t actually tried any of these yet, but I’m leaning toward the Blueberry.
- National Empanada Day. You can make empanadas with everything from beef to fruit to s’mores! Be creative!
- National Cinnamon Crescent Day. These are really so easy to make, but I have a cheat for the sugar/spice mixture: a friend gave me Spiced Vanilla Bean Sugar from the Savory Spice Shop, and it’s really hard to beat. I do add extra cinnamon.
- National Cheese Fondue Day. I would prefer to spend this day in the home of fondue (an absolutely wonderful place, Gruyere, Switzerland), but will settle for Urban Fondue.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. We will be celebrating this day at the Tillamook Cheese Factory café. If you’re in the LA area, you should check the Grilled Cheese Invitational. Sounds like a little bit of heaven to this cheese lover!
- National Licorice Day. Not one of my favorites, but my husband and one child have to be closely monitored if there is black licorice around.
- National Peach Cobbler Day. Oh.yes. There are a million recipes, (here are a few) and I’m not sure you can go wrong with any of them. Do yourself a favor, though, and don’t try to lighten this up – just limit your portions, maybe do this recipe: Peach Crisp.
Individual Peach Crisps
- National Pecan Day. It’s pronounced “pea-CON.” Just sayin. And eatin.
- Day of the Mushroom. I also <3 mushrooms. Sadly, it isn’t genetic. I hope my children grow into them.
- National Cheeseball Day. It’s made of cheese. ‘Nuff said.
- Animal Crackers Birthday!!!! What a great, fun thing to celebrate!! Spend a little time on the Stauffer’s website playing their games. This Animal Cracker Identifier is also very helpful.
- Garlic Day. ‘Nuff said. Really. At least until after you’ve brushed your teeth or had a mint.
National Amaretto Day. Great remedy for garlic breath! - National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day. This was my grandmother’s specialty. One of my fondest memories of her was the day she took the cake out of the oven, flipped it over onto the plate, then started laughing – she’d forgotten the pineapple!! She had her own “life hack” for her cakes: she used crushed pineapple instead of rings – easier to eat, and, honestly, prettier. A little brown sugar, some butter pats, crushed pineapple, and yellow cake mix, and there you go.
Lima Bean Respect Day. We think this is kinda nice, because lima beans really don’t get much respect. We’ve decided to write poems this year. Stay tuned for “Ode to a Lima Bean.” - Chocolate-covered Cashew Truffle Day. You had us at “chocolate.” And “cashew.” And “truffle.” This day will be observed at our house.
- National Jelly Bean Day. Since Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans were introduced with Harry Potter, I only eat jelly beans I buy myself that are still in the sealed packaging. My older child thought my introduction to these was hilarious. We’re still laughing!
- National Cherry Cheesecake Day. Again, go for portion control instead of lightening: Cupid’s Cherry Cheesecakes. These are also easier to take on a picnic, since this day is also…..
National Picnic Day. Go forth and enjoy!
Cupid’s Cherry Cheesecakes – cupcake sized!
- National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day. As if these weren’t good enough, I add bacon.
- National Zucchini Bread Day. My husband refuses to eat any vegetable that starts with “z,” but I have caught him sneaking bites of this bread.
- National Pretzel Day. Whether you go for soft or crunchy, twisty or sticks, just enjoy!
- National Blueberry Pie Day. Oh, yum. Since blueberries are considered a Super Food, you can ditch the guilt and savor the pie.
- National Shrimp Scampi Day. I’ve tried lots of scampis, even tried to make my own lighter version, all to no avail. We head to Red Lobster on this day. And dip the Cheddar Bay Biscuits in the scampi sauce. There’s a life hack for you!
- National Raisin Day. I like to add raisins to random foods this day. Salad, ok. Chicken salad, ok. Scrambled eggs, not ok.
So, whaddaya think? Pretty awesome month for foodies, doncha think? Yep, it’s my favorite. Until May. Bon Appetit!
