Food Holidays for the week of 5 January

Did you sufficiently celebrate National Champagne Day or National Blood Mary Day? The first full week of January offers lots of opportunities to celebrate:

• January 5: National Whipped Cream Day
• January 6: Bean Day AND National Shortbread Day
• January 7: National Tempura Day
• January 8: English Toffee Day
• January 9: National Apricot Day
• January 10: Bittersweet Chocolate Day
• January 11: Milk Day AND  Hot Toddy Day

January is also the designated month for the following these holidays:

• Bread Machine Baking Month
• National Candy Month
• National Egg Month
• National Hot Tea Month
• National Meat Month
• National Oatmeal Month
• National Soup Month
• National Wheat Bread Month
• Prune Breakfast Month

I have become a fan of freshly made whipped cream. In the summertime I often  keep a small bowl and mixer beaters chilled so I can serve fresh whipped cream with seasonal fruit. For me, the chilled bowl and beaters make whipping the cream easy. 

image courtesy of finecooking.com

I had graduated from college when I realized that the "nasty" concoction my mother made when my sister I had a horrible cold was a hot toddy. She would us a peppermint to eat after drinking the mixture - not because it was part of the hot toddy, but to silence our complaints about  the taste of the toddy and how it burned our throats.  Somehow the concoction worked as we slept and we often woke up feeling better and clear of congestion. Several years ago while visiting the home of my friend Inge, one of her guests, Stefanie, was coming down with a cold and was concerned about whether she would be able to travel home (international air travel). I suggested a hot toddy - neither had heard of it.  I made the hot toddy and  suggested she eat a peppermint after consuming the drink. She woke up feeling refreshed and feeling better that she did the previous day. I often say that "a hot toddy is always good for the body". 

Many thanks to Food Stories  for cataloging the food holidays.

Which holidays will you celebrate? Which holidays are a surprise to you?  Which spirit do you use to make a hot toddy? Share your comments below.  Have a great week!

Be well,

Technicolor girl

image created by Ink+ LLC

Welcome Fall!

It's the first day of Fall in the Northern Hemisphere.  Before fully the upcoming embracing the mild days and cooler nights I feel as I should at least get closure on my summer adventures.

During Restaurant Week I visited Sushi-ko.  Good food, creatively prepared and presented at reasonable prices.  The restaurant is a short walking distance from Friendship Heights metro.  Parking is also available in the onsite parking lot (be sure to get your ticket validated to receive the discounted parking fee). Sushi-ko is also family friendly. Reservations can be made via opentable. My biggest regret was at the time I took photos I didn't realize I didn't have sufficient data storage on my camera.  I think this grounds for a second visit don't you?

I also visited Johnny's Half Shell with a pal during Restaurant Week. This pal is a rather selective eater,  but she was happy with Johnny's. All the generously portioned dishes were well seasoned.  The bathroom is clean and tidy. The restaurant is family friendly and offers a kids menu.
Johnny's Half Shelf is near Union Station metro stop. Street parking is available , but pay close attention to the information on the meters as many run until 10pm. Reservations can be made via opentable.

spicy Cajun barbecued shrimp



sautéed sea scallops Veracruz style

steamed mussels
 



shrimp etouffee



gingered peach shortcake



chocolate Angel food cake with caramel sauce

 

The fun didn't end there. Next: a star encounter.

 

Be well,

 

Technicolor girl

image by InkPlus LLC