Today is...

National Macaroon Day

It’s National Macaroon Day! Macaroons are small unleavened cakes with a crispy outer layer and a moist, chewy center. Although they are the same size as cookies, macaroons do not contain any flour and therefore do not fall into that classification. The most popular macaroon varieties are coconut, almond, and chocolate.

Culinary historians believe that macaroons originated in Italy. In fact, the word “macaroon” comes from the Italian word for paste: “maccarone.” A key ingredient in early macaroon recipes was almond paste. In 1533, Italian monks and nuns brought macaroons to France. Two Benedictine nuns, Sister Marguerite and Sister Marie-Elisabeth, baked and sold the tiny cakes in order to pay for their housing. They became known as the “Macaroon Sisters” and their baking became famous throughout Europe.

To celebrate National Macaroon Day, buy some delicious macaroons or bake a homemade batch to share with friends and coworkers!

May is National Bike Month & National Strawberry Month & National Hamburger Month

mages and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/

History for May 31  1870 - E.J. DeSemdt patented asphalt. 1909 - The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held its first conference. 1955 - The U.S. Supreme Court ordered that all states must end racial segregation "with all deliberate speed." 1969 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded "Give Peace a Chance." 1977 - The trans-Alaska oil pipeline was finished after 3 years of construction. 1999 - VH1's "Behind the Music" began airing nightly. The premiere show was "The Red Hot Chili Peppers _________________________________________________________ "It is good to dream, but it is better to dream and work. Faith is mighty, but action with faith is mightier. Desiring is good, but work and desire are invincible." --Thomas Robert Gaines

Today is...

National Mint Julep Day

Today is Mint Julep Day! A mint julep is a delicious and refreshing summer cocktail made with bourbon whiskey, mint, water, and sugar. A secret trick that many bartenders use is to lightly “bruise” the mint before adding the other ingredients. This releases the herb’s distinctive aroma and flavor. A traditional mint julep is then served in a silver or pewter cup filled with shaved ice.

According to many sources, Kentucky Senator Henry Clay introduced the mint julep in the 1800s. As early as 1816, county fair champions in the South received silver julep cups as awards. Today, the mint julep continues to be associated with the southern region of the United States, most notably as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Over the course of the two-day event, bartenders at Churchill Downs serve almost 120,000 mint juleps!

The Kentucky Derby may be over, but that’s no reason to stop enjoying this unique drink. Make one of these five mint julep recipes to celebrate the final race in the Triple Crown—the Belmont Stakes! (Tune in to watch it next Saturday, June 9.)

May is National Bike Month & National Strawberry Month & National Hamburger Month

mages and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/

History for May 30  1539 - Hernando de Soto, the Spanish explorer, landed in Florida with 600 soldiers to search for gold. 1868 - Memorial Day was observed for the first time in the U.S. 1879 - William Vanderbilt renamed New York City's Gilmore’s Garden to Madison Square Garden. 1922 - The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC. 1967 - Daredevil Evel Knievel jumped 16 automobiles in a row in a motorcycle stunt at Ascot Speedway in Gardena, CA. 1968 - The Beatles began recording "The White Album." _________________________________________________________ "Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money and power and influence." --Henry Chester

Today is...

International Jazz Day

Today is International Jazz Day! When Louis Armstrong was asked what the definition of jazz was, he famously replied "If you've got to ask, you'll never know." Today is a worldwide day of celebration of jazz and its unique history.

The official birthplace of jazz music is New Orleans, but Kansas City and Chicago also have similar claims. Jazz fuses together African and European musical traditions. Blue notes, syncopation, and swing notes are all found in this style of music. There are many different sub-genres of jazz including early ragtime, swing, and bepop. Improvisation is also a large component of jazz; musicians often only start a song with one key and time signature from the bandleader.

International Jazz Day was created in 1991 by musician D. Michael Denny at which time a statement was recorded by the U.S. Congressional Record to officially recognize this day. To enjoy International Jazz Day, sit back, relax, and listen to your favorite jazz tunes!

Today is also International Coq Au Vin Day

 

May is National Bike Month & National Strawberry Month & National Hamburger Month

mages and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/

History for May 29  1790 - Rhode Island became the last of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution. 1849 - A patent for lifting vessels was granted to Abraham Lincoln. 1911 - The first running of the Indianapolis 500 took place. 1942 - Bing Crosby, the Ken Darby Singers and John Scott Trotter Orchestra recorded Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." 1951 - C.F. Blair became the first man to fly over the North Pole in single engine plane. 1953 - Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became first men to reach the top of Mount Everest. _________________________________________________________ "Eighty percent of success is showing up." --Woody Allen