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National Pizza Week & A Year Of Pizza Holidays

Pepperoni Pizza For National Pizza Week
[1] America’s favorite pizza topping: pepperoni (photo © Jordan Nix | Unsplash).

Spicy Sausage Pizza Recipe With Pesto, Corn & Jalapenos
[2] Sausage is America’s #2 favorite topping. Try this recipe, Spicy Sausage & Pesto Pizza with Roasted Corn & Jalapeños (photo © DeLallo).

 

It’s the last official pizza holiday in a year of 12 pizza holidays in the U.S.

We’ve listed them all below, below, so mark your calendars.

And maybe plan for a few pizza parties (in addition to National Pizza Party Day in May).

According to CNET, “Roughly 3 billion pizza pies are sold in the US each year, equal to about 350 slices a second.” So dig in!

> 40 ways to top your slice.

> 50 pizza recipes.

> Pizza trends.

> The history of pizza.

> The top pizza toppings in the U.S., the top pizza-eating states, and most pizza-per-capita countries.
 
 
THE YEAR’S 16 PIZZA HOLIDAYS

Whether you get takeout pizza or make your own, mark your calendars for:

  • January: National Pizza Week, beginning the second Sunday in January
  • February, 2nd Week: Great American Pizza Bake*
  • February 9th: National Pizza Day (a.k.a. National Pizza Pie Day), World Pizza Day
  • March 14: National Pi Day, third Friday
  • April 5th: National Deep Dish Pizza Day
  • May: National Pizza Party Day, third Friday
  • June 11th: Pizza Margherita Day
  • September 5th: National Cheese Pizza Day
  • September 20th: National Pepperoni Pizza Day
  • October: National Pizza Month
  • October 9th: International Beer and Pizza Day
  • October 11th: National Sausage Pizza Day
  • October 22nd: National Tavern-Style Pizza Day
  • October 25th: World Pizza Makers’ Day
  • November 1st: National Calzone Day†
  • November 12th: National Pizza With Everything Except Anchovies Day…
  •  
    …although as anchovy lovers, we protest!

    ________________
     
    *The Great American Pizza Bake begins the second week in February. During this week, you’re encouraged not just to consume pizza but to try your hand at making it.

    †A calzone is a pocket pizza; the toppings are used as a filling inside a hand-held crust.
     
     

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    Enjoy These Hot Toddy Recipes: It’s National Hot Toddy Day

    January 11th is National Hot Toddy Day, coming at a good time in what is traditionally cold and flu season.

    Medical professionals agree that a hot toddy can be good for colds and mild respiratory congestion.

  • Both the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University in the U.K. and the Mayo Clinic in the U.S. have cited the spices, which stimulate saliva to help ease a sore throat, and the combination of lemon and honey stimulate mucus drainage.
  • Plus, warm liquids ease congestion and prevent dehydration.
  • Neither institution suggests large doses of whiskey but agrees that a small amount can ease the stress that comes with being ill from a cold.
  •  
    But a hot toddy is also a warm and comforting drink in chilly weather, and lets you use your favorite spirit—bourbon, brandy, gin, scotch, tequila, etc.

    There are even beer toddies and wine toddies (mulled wine, recipes below).

    > While January 11th is National Hot Toddy Day, Hot Buttered Rum Day, on January 17th, celebrates almost the same drink. The difference: A hot toddy can be made with any spirit, whereas hot buttered rum is made with rum.

    > The year’s 49 cocktail and spirits holidays.

    Below:

    > Hot toddy recipes.

    > Snacks to serve with toddies.
     
     
    THANKS TO INDIA FOR THE FIRST RECIPE 

    The toddy first appeared in the early 16th century in India. It was named tārī (a Hindi word pronounced taddy), and was a popular folk remedy for congestion. (Punch also came from India: the scoop.)

    The mixture, originally served cold, included alcohol, sugar, water, and spices (very similar to today’s basic recipe).

    Adding hot water, and later hot tea, turned it into a remedy for colds and respiratory congestion.

    As with much from India, toddy made its way to Britain, and then to the American colonies.

    > More hot toddy history

    > Hot Toddy relatives (Glögg, Mulled Wine, etc.)
     
     
    MORE HOT TODDY RECIPES

  • Apple Ginger Hot Toddy
  • Apple Hot Toddy With Calvados & Sherry
  • Beer Hot Toddy
  • Black Tea Toddy & Green Tea Toddy
  • Caramel Hot Buttered Rum
  • Chocolate Hot Buttered Rum
  • Classic Hot Buttered Rum
  • Glögg
  • Hot Apple Cider Toddy
  • Hot Gin Cider
  • Mezcal Hot Toddy
  • Mulled Wine
  • Saké Hot Toddy
  • Scotch Toddy
  • Spiced Cider
  • Witch’s Brew For Halloween 
     
    SNACKS TO SERVE WITH A HOT TODDY

    Spiced or savory snacks pair well with a toddy. We particularly like:

  • Sweet snacks: spice cookies (ginger, molasses, oatmeal), caramel or kettle corn, citrus-infused treats (e.g. candied peel, lemon tartlet).
  • Savory snacks: Baked Brie or other mild cheese with crackers, charcuterie, cheese straws, nut butter tea sandwiches/tartines* on grainy bread, roasted nuts.
  •  


    [1] You can make an Apple Hot Toddy with your spirit of choice. This one is garnished with a cinnamon stick and star anise. Note that if your cinnamon sticks have been around for a while and no longer are strong, a toddy is a great way to use them (photo © L’Adresse | NYC).

    Hot Toddy
    [2] This toddy is garnished with a slice of lemon and a cinnamon stick (photo © Hella Cocktail Co.).

    Hot Toddy In Glass Cup With Handle
    [3] We like adding a few cloves to our toddies. They’re aromatic and flavorful (photo © Ruths Chris Steak House).

    Lemon Curd Tartlet On A Plate
    [4] A lemon curd tartlet or other citrus treat pairs well with a toddy (photo © The Nibble).

     
    A tray of hot toddy and ginersnaps
    [5] Ready to curl up with a hot toddy, a book, and some gingersnaps (Gemini Photo)?
     
    ________________
     
    *A tartine is an open-face sandwich. The different types of sandwiches.
     
     

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    Taco Lovers Serving Set & Taco Recipes, Classic & Creative

    Soft Tacos
    [1] You can serve tacos like this… (photo © Roman Odintsov | Pexels).

    Prepara Taco Holders
    [2] Or you can use these snazzy taco holders, part of a festive taco set (photos #2 through #6 © Prepara).

    Prepara Taco Holder
    [3] Pattern side up, they hold two tacos.

    Prepara Taco Holders
    [4] Upside-down, they hold three tacos.

    Prepara Boxed Taco Set
    [5] The boxed set. See the individual pieces in the photo below.

     

    For taco lovers, Prepara’s Taco Gift Set has everything you need to pull off the best taco night ever, be it Taco Tuesday or any other day of the year.

    Yes, every day can be a festive day with this charming Taco Gift Set from Prepara. It turns every taco meal into a fiesta.

    The colorful set contains dishes for four people (photos #5 and #6):

  • 4 taco holders (right-side-up holds two tacos, but you can turn them upside down to hold three tacos—photos #3 and #4).
  • 4 spoons for filling the shells, spooning salsa, or whatever you like.
  • 1 6″ taco party bowl for toppings or dips.
     
    The dishes have a ceramic look, but everything is made of high-impact, drop-resistant, heavy-weight, dishwasher-safe melamine, which makes them safe for outdoor dining as well.

  • The pieces have traditional Mexican patterns.
  • The taco holders work with both soft and hard taco shells.
  •  
    Is this the gift you’ve been seeking, or the fun dinnerware for your own home? Head to Prepara.com.
     
     
    BEYOND TACO TUESDAY: MORE TACO HOLIDAYS TO CELEBRATE 

    • January 25th is National Fish Taco Day.
    • March 21st is National Crunchy Taco Day.
    • In Mexico, Día del Taco (Day of the Taco) is celebrated on March 31st.
    • National Taco Day is October 4th.
    • The history of tacos and Taco Tuesday.

     
    Plus, serve tacos on these Mexican holidays:

    • Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), November 1st & 2nd.
    • Cinco de Mayo, May 5th.
    • Mexican Independence Day, September 15th & 16th.
    • More Mexican holidays.

     
    24 MORE TACO RECIPES: TRADITIONAL & CREATIVE

  • Baja Shrimp Tacos
  • Braised Beef Tacos With Mole Sauce
  • Breakfast Tacos
  • Butternut Squash Tacos Al Pastor
  • Chantarelle Tacos
  • Chicken Pumpkin Tacos
  • Chorizo Tacos
  • Corned Beef & Cabbage Tacos & 15 More Creative Taco Ideas
  • Fish Tacos With Sautéed, Not Fried, Fish
  • Hard Taco Shells
  • How To Build A Taco
  • Hummus Tacos
  • Sashimi Tacos
  • Slow-Cooked Pork Tacos
  • Summer Tacos
  • Taco Party Menu
  • Taco & Wing Party Bar
  • Tacos With Leftovers
  • Surf & Turf Tacos
  • Thanksgiving Leftovers Tacos
  • Turkey Taco Ring
  • Turmeric-Spiced Chicken Tacos
  •  

     
    Prepara Taco Set
    [6] All of the pieces in the boxed set. There are other pieces, including platters and extra bowls, holders, and spoons, that can be purchased separately at Prepara and on Amazon.
     
     

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    Elvis Presley Birthday Recipes

    January 8th is Elvis Presley’s birthday. The King was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. To celebrate, we’ve got some Elvis Presley recipes for you.

    Elvis’ favorite sandwich was a fried peanut butter sandwich with sliced bananas and bacon. The following recipes carry on the theme.
     
     
    ELVIS TRIBUTE DISHES

  • Elvis Burger
  • Elvis Cheeseburger
  • Elvis Presley Birthday Sundae
  • Peanut Butter Banana Cake
  • Peanut Butter & Banana Quesadilla
  • Check out the Elvis Grilled Cheese Sandwich in the photo.
  •  

     

    Elvis Presley Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
    How about an Elvis grilled cheese sandwich: bread spread with peanut butter, cheese (we like Brie), bacon, and slices of banana (photo © Hipsubwg.Blogspot).

     

     
     

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    Green Bean Tempura Recipe For National Tempura Day

    Tempura Green Beans Recipe For National Tempura Day
    [1] Tempura green beans (photo © Southern Selects).

    Tempura Green Beans Recipe
    [2] Tempura green beans served in a basket, like fries (photo © The Tuck Room | NYC).

    Shishito Pepper Tempura
    [3] Shishito peppers tempura. Here’s the recipe (photo © A Spicy Perspective).

     

    January 7th is National Tempura Day, and while you can head to your nearest Japanese restaurant, you can make Tempura Green Beans at home. This recipe, with Spicy Sriracha Mayo Dip, is courtesy of Southern Selects, which makes it with French green beans.

    What’s the difference between French green beans and regular green beans?

    French green beans, called haricots verts in French, are slightly longer and skinnier than regular green beans and may be a little bit more expensive. They are both the same genus and species* but haricots verts are harvested earlier than regular green beans, so they are more tender and more flavorful.

    > The history of tempura.

    > The history of sriracha sauce.
     
     
    RECIPE: GREEN BEAN TEMPURA 
     
    Ingredients

  • 8 ounces green beans or haricots verts
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1½ cups cold sparkling water
  • Vegetable oil for deep frying
  •  
    For The Sriracha Mayonnaise (Spicy Dipping Sauce)

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoonsp soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sriracha hot sauce
  •  
    Preparation

    1. MAKE the sriracha mayonnaise dipping sauce. Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.

    2. PREPARE the green beans. Whisk together the dry ingredients until well combined, then whisk in the sparkling water. Do not overmix or the dough will become tough and chewy.

    3. DIP the beans in the batter, shaking off excess batter. Fry them in vegetable oil at 375°F in batches, for 2 to 3 minutes, turning as necessary until golden and the beans are tender and crisp.

    3. TRANSFER the beans to a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil.

    4. SERVE the hot beans with the sauce on the side.
     
     
    MORE TEMPURA RECIPES 

  • Classic Tempura With Ponzu Sauce
  • Fish & Chips With Tempura Batter
  • Red Curry Shrimp With Plantain Tempura
  • Vegetables For Tempura
  •  
     
    ________________
     
    *Green beans Order Fabaceae, Subfamily Faboideae, Genus Phaseolus,
    Species vulgaris. The genus and species are abbreviated as P. vulgaris.

     

     
     

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