National Holidays in November: The Food Holidays

I receive lots of comments on my special, unique holiday lesson plans article series about how there are ample food holidays to keep you busy throughout the entire year. Anyone who has made this remark is correct. I mix up the holidays for my lesson plans series that kids will receive knowledge about a wide variety of topics. However, there was no reason not to create a separate series for the food holidays. Here it is. Enjoy!

Even if you are not a big fan of vinegar, there are numerous recipes that call for a couple tablespoons that will give just the right amount of kick. Consider salad dressings, marinades, and much more. Did you know that many sloppy joe recipes have vinegar? The sloppy joe is a classic recipe that will become an instant family favorite. If you want to step it up a notch today, try your hand at Bearnaise sauce.

If traditional deviled eggs send you running the other way, look for an alternative recipe today. There are a wide variety of options that will make you quickly forget what you didn't like about deviled eggs. Once you've found a recipe that you like, you'll be itching to have everyone you know over next Saturday or Sunday for brunch.

Any day is a good day to eat a sandwich in my book, but why not use this day as an excuse to eat one for lunch or even breakfast or dinner? Whip up a favorite or experiment with something new. You can also alter a favorite recipe with a simple substitution such as a different kind of bread or a homemade dressing or dip.

Does your husband have a favorite recipe that he loves to make for the family? If so, this day is the perfect excuse for him to whip it up for dinner tonight. If not, spend some quality time with him in the kitchen today to teach him a few basics so he'll be on his way to making dinner on his own for this holiday next year.

Does anyone really crave bittersweet chocolate with almonds? Why not call this dark chocolate with almonds day? Seek out a good quality dark chocolate that has almonds in it today. You can also opt to make a recipe with semi-sweet or unsweetened baking chocolate and almonds. Slivered almonds are a perfect topping for a cake.

Is anyone else not really sure about using the word pungent to describe food? It doesn't seem like the most appetizing term. For those who enjoy spicy food, this is right up your alley. If you have kids (or spouses) who are picky eaters and prefer bland food, consider spicy or simply full-flavored dips, dressings, and sauces so they can control how much they put on their food.

Even if you don't drink alcohol, you can still enjoy a happy hour out with friends or family. In addition to drink specials, many restaurants and bars also offer appetizer specials during happy hours. Alternatively, you can save a little money and can create your own happy hour experience at home with a select group of people.

Indian pudding is a more complex recipe for corn hasting pudding with cornmeal, milk, molasses, spices, butter, and raisins or nuts. Sometimes there are substitutions for honey, maple syrup, or sugar. It is a standard dessert in New England and is baked in the oven for a few hours. [source] There are numerous Indian pudding recipes out there, most of which you can modify to suit your own tastes and preferences.

Does anyone else love Bundt pans? I'm not sure why they make me so happy. You can switch up many favorite recipes by cooking them in a Bundt pan and slightly adjusting the cooking time. If you don't already own a Bundt pan, go get one today. They are inexpensive and readily available. Complete the presentation by serving your cake on a beautiful cake plate. People will almost always be impressed.

The taste of homemade bread is plenty worthy of a holiday. However, you'll also need to devote the better part of a day to making it, so why not go ahead and declare the day? If you've never made bread from scratch before or have only used a bread maker, take the time today to make a loaf. There are lots of wonderful recipes out there to suit virtually any taste preference.

Cashews are one of those foods where I have to make a little plate or dish for myself. Otherwise I end up sitting with the container and eat way more than I intended. Like many nuts, cashews are not cheap, but it is worth the indulgence once in a while. Consider including some in a sweet or savory recipe today. If you've never made an ice cream sundae with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and cashews, I highly recommend it.

While some years this holiday will fall on Thanksgiving, it doesn't have to be a on a bigger holiday for you to enjoy a good cranberry recipe. One of my favorite ways cranberry foods is Craisens. They are a perfect topping for salads. Instead of making celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins, substitute Craisens. There are also numerous recipes with frozen cranberries if you're not ready to tackle the fresh variety.

Did you know that the word parfait means "perfect" in French and that the dessert comes from France? In America, the term can refer to the French dessert or it can refer to a variety of layered frozen desserts. [source] However, the term is often used even more loosely than that. Do some research today and see if you can find a place that serves an authentic French parfait or hunt down a great parfait recipe to whip up at home.

There is no distinction between Georgia peaches and any other kind of peaches except that Georgia is simply known as a good place for growing peaches. Unfortunately, not everyone has easy access to Georgia peaches, particularly all year round. If you want to cook up some of your favorite desserts with other types of peaches this November, I won't tell.

In case you don't get enough of your peanut fix from National Peanut Day (September 13) and Peanut Butter Day (January 24), you can enjoy peanut butter throughout the entire month of November. Eat lots of peanut butter sandwiches this month and consider both sweet and savory recipes. Add an extra touch to a recipe by making your own peanut butter.