Pampered Chef with Chassity Lim

December 31st is National Vinegar Day!
Did you know?
Vinegar has been used for 10,000 years. It just might be the world’s oldest ingredient.

The main uses for white distilled vinegar are cooking/food preparation and cleaning/disinfecting.

The International Vinegar Museum is in Roslyn, South Dakota.

Consumers in the South buy and use more white distilled vinegar than in any other region of the country.

Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic This recipe combines beneficial ingredients like gingerroot, cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar in an easy-to-drink tonic.

December 30th is National Baking Soda Day!!

Did you know?
🥤Drinkable carbonated water was first produced in 1767 by J.B. Priestley.
🫗Jacob Schweppes began producing carbonated water commercially in 1783.
🥤The first soda pop was marketed in the U.S. in 1807.
Carbonation results from releasing pressurized carbon dioxide in liquids.
🧋Sometimes sodium or potassium salts are added to produce specific tastes.

Personally, I would rather bake with it than drink it!!

Orange Blossom Cakes Enjoy these super-easy, irresistibly airy mini-cakes!

December 29th is National Pepper Pot Day!
This day celebrates a soup with deep roots and a mythology to go with it.

Pepper pot soup is a highly seasoned soup prepared with peppercorns, small bits of meat, tripe, vegetables, and broth. The dish may be more familiar by the name of Philadelphia Pepper Pot because it was brought to the area by people from Africa, the West Indies, and the Caribbean. Colonial Black women served the dish in their homes, the homes where they worked, and in markets. It’s considered an early street food by many historians.

One legendary story credits this soup to George Washington’s chef. The story goes that during the brutal winter of 1777 and 1778, the Continental Army was camped t Valley Forge on December 29th. George Washington asked the army’s chef to prepare a meal that would boost morale and warm the troops. So the chef rounded up some ingredients and called it Pepper Pot Soup. The troops received the meal well and nicknamed it “the soup that won the war.”

Authentic Pepper Pot Soup This tasty pepper pot soup is made with beef tripe, bacon, vegetables, and potato. It's simmered slowly and thickened with a roux just before serving.

December 28th is National Boxed Chocolates Day!
Did you know?
🍫The word “chocolate” comes from the Aztec word, “Xocolatl”, which ironically means “bitter water”.

🍫The biggest bar of chocolate ever made was created in Turin, Italy. The bar was created in 2000 and weighed 5,000 pounds.

🍫While the US produces the most chocolate and consume the most pounds every year, the Swiss consume the most per capita, followed closely by the English.

🥜Chocolate manufacturers currently use 40% of the world’s almonds and 20% of the world’s peanuts.

🍫Every Russian and American space voyage has included chocolate bars.

Velvety Chocolate Truffles Who knew that truffles could be so easy? Wrap up an assortment and give them to someone special this holiday season.

December 27th is National Fruitcake Day!
Love it or hate it - did you know??
🍰The Egyptians liked these cakes so much that they put them in tombs. They thought that fruitcakes would survive the long journey to the afterlife

🍰Even Crusaders knew that fruitcakes could withstand a long journey. Not only did these cakes withstand long journeys, but they were also full of nutritious items like dried fruit and nuts.

🍰Fruitcakes were the wedding cake of choice in England. Single female wedding guests would take a piece home and place it under their pillow in hopes of dreaming of the man they would marry.

🍰Fruitcake is perfectly edible as long as there is no mold on it.
If your fruitcake dries out, soak it in alcohol or some other liquid and it will become as edible again.

Everyone's Favorite Fruitcake This moist, dark cake is loaded with yummy-tasting dried fruits, not the icky, bitter candied peel and citron you remember from visiting your grandma at Christmas.

December 26th is National Candy Cane Day!
Did you know?
🍥The candy cane was originally a straight stick.
It was not until the mid 1900’s that candy canes with red stripes appeared in Sweden.
🍥The curvy shape of the candy cane is credited to a choirmaster who worked at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. It is believed that he bent the peppermint sticks to look like the canes that shepherd’s used.
🍥Other sources credit the bending of the candy maker in Indiana. It is rumored that he also decided to added three red stripes to the candy cane which were meant to represent the Holy Trinity.

Peppermint Crunch Bark As simple as can be, this giftable confection will be in hot demand around the holidays.

December 25th - Merry Christmas!!
Today is also National Pumpkin Pie Day!!
Did you know?
🥧The American colonists used pumpkin in pie crusts, but not in the filling.
🥧The type of pumpkin pie we know today was not made until the 1700s.
🥧Every year, 50 million pumpkin pies are made using Libby’s canned product. Nestle bought Libby’s in 1971.
The world’s largest pumpkin pie weighed over 350 pounds and was made with 80 pounds of pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, and 144 eggs.

Pumpkin Pie á la Easy Entertaining is easier than ever when you bake up this crowd-pleasing pumpkin dessert in our Large Bar Pan.

December 24th is National Eggnog Day!
Did you know?
🥛The sweetened dairy-based beverage is traditionally made with milk and cream, sugar, whipped eggs, and spices. When served at parties and holiday get-togethers, liquor is often added to the eggnog.
🥃 Many people prefer brandy, rum, whiskey, bourbon, or vodka. Sometimes they even mix up a combination. For added holiday cheer, garnish the glass with a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice.

🥛Eggnog also flavors other holiday treats, too. For example, you can find eggnog flavored coffees, teas, baked goods, and puddings at your grocery store. You may even have a few recipes of your own to spice up your holiday baking, too!

Homemade Eggnog - Pampered Chef Blog Make homemade eggnog in a cooking blender. No need for whisking and watching closely and no need to worry about the eggs being cooked.

December 23rd is National Pfeffernüsse Day!!
A German spice cookie and very popular around the holidays, pfeffernüsse are fluffy cookies made with ground nuts and spices and covered in powdered sugar.

The exact origin of the cookie is unknown. However, the Dutch believe that pfeffernüsse (or pepernoten in Dutch) are linked to the feast of Sinterklaas, which is celebrated on December 5 in the Netherlands and December 6 in Germany and Belgium. This holiday is when children receive gifts from St. Nicholas, who is partially the inspiration for the Santa Claus tradition.

Pfeffernusse Cookies Pfeffernüsse are traditional small German Christmas cookies spiced with black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon cloves, ground ginger, and nutmeg.

December 22nd is National Date Nut Bread Day!!

👉Dates
Believed to have originated around Iraq, dates have been a staple food of the Middle East and the Indus Valley for thousands of years. They have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt, possibly as early as 4000 BCE.

In 1765, the Spaniards introduced dates into Mexico and California.

Dates provide essential nutrients and are an excellent source of dietary potassium. In ripe dates, the sugar content is about 80% of the fruit. The remainder of the date consists of protein, fiber, and trace elements of boron, cobalt, copper, fluorine, magnesium, manganese, selenium and zinc.

👉Nuts
Many nuts are good sources of vitamins E and B2. Nuts are also rich in protein, folate fiber, and essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and selenium.

Several studies have shown that those who consume nuts on a regular basis are less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease. (CHD) It was in 1993 that nuts were first linked to protections against CHD. Since that time, many clinical trials have found that the consumption of various nuts such as almonds and walnuts can lower serum LDL cholesterol concentrations.

⭐When mixing up the batter for quick bread loaves, add dates and nuts and your National Date Nut Day celebration will be ready to go!

December 21 is National French Fried Shrimp Day. The day is dedicated to, well, fried shrimp.
This delicious dish is enjoyed by many, especially Americans. Shrimp is, not surprisingly, a seafood favorite among Americans as it is consumed more than any other seafood. French fried shrimp — no, it’s not French — is a recipe that simply refers to shrimp that has been deep-fried in fat, the same way thin strips of potatoes are deep-fried to make French fries. On National French Fried Shrimp Day, make sure to munch on this simple but crunchy American favorite!

December 20th is National Sangria Day!

Across the nation each year on December 20th, National Sangria Day recognizes a wine and fresh fruit combination that brings a fresh celebration to the table.

🍷Sangria is a beverage made with wine and sweetened with fresh fruit and fruit juices. Other ingredients can include herbs, spices, carbonation, and liquor. The combinations are endless, giving sangria a place in the cocktail rotation year-round. Refreshing and light during hot summer months, bright and sparkling during the winter ones, this fruity punch is quite versatile.

🍷Sangria made with white wine is called Sangria Blanca.

Use fresh fruit in season for the best flavors. Once mixed, sangria should be chilled and the fruits allowed to marinate for a few hours or overnight. When making sangria, if you use 100% juice, you’ll gain the maximum benefits, too. Eating the fruit versus all the sweet cakes and pies over the holidays will be healthier. Get the benefits of red wine, but drink in moderation and sangria will be worth all the celebration.

December 19th is National Oatmeal Muffin Day!

What are the origins of National Oatmeal Muffin Day? Nobody knows. All we know is that oatmeal muffins are a staple in American households and we welcome any holiday where we can just eat a muffin and have fun. The best part is that oatmeal is known to be ‘heart-healthy’ and has a lot of nutritious value.

Today, the oatmeal muffin is loved by many as it is packed with rich flavor and has a lot of health benefits. They become even more delightful when complemented with fruits like blueberries, raisins, and bananas. Sometimes nuts are incorporated into the recipe as well for that extra crunch.

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December 18th

It's National "I Love Honey" Day!

While we don’t know the origins of this holiday, we are certainly jumping on board to celebrate! As versatile and unique as it is delicious, there are so many reasons and ways to celebrate our favorite natural sweetener.

Did you know that Honey locks in natural juices? It can draw and retain moisture, locking in meats' natural juices to ensure your favorite meats come out jusicy and tender!

It can also extend the shelf life of baked goods it's used in with the honey's antimicrobial properties!

Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken This simple, family-friendly grilled chicken recipe comes together quickly and for a flavorful and tasty weeknight dinner.

December 17th is National Maple Syrup Day!

Did you know?
🥞 There’s an International Maple Syrup Institute that was founded in 1975.

🥞 Canada supplies about 80% of the word’s maple syrup.

🥞 One gallon of maple syrup is made of 40 gallons of sap.

🥞 Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth syrups aren’t considered authentic maple syrup because of all the high fructose corn syrup they contain.

Flavored Maple Syrups Syrup for waffles and pancakes doesn't have to be just maple. Try these variations for a bit of a twist.

December 16th is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day!
Now this is my kind of Day!!
Did you know?
🍫 Theobroma, the scientific name of the tree that chocolate comes from, means “food of the gods.”
🍫Chocolate was consumed as a liquid and not a solid for nearly all of it’s history.
🍫 American Revolutionary soldiers were sometimes paid in chocolate.
🍫 Ruth Wakefield, the inventor of the chocolate chip cookie, sold her recipe to Nestle for a lifetime supply of chocolate.
🍫 The first chocolate bar was invented in 1847 by Joseph Fry.

Rockcrok® Chocolate Ganache Find delicious and easy recipes perfect for any occasion. Browse PamperedChef.com for more recipe ideas and new kitchen products. Get inspired today!

December 15th is National Gingerbread Latte Day!
Did you know?
🎄 According to Swedish tradition, you can make a wish using gingerbread.

☕ The first mention of the “latte” was made by William Dean Howells in his 1867 essay, “Italian Journeys.”

🎄 Queen Elizabeth I is credited for creating the first gingerbread men.

☕ English women in the 1600’s believed that coffee “made men as unfruitful as the deserts.”
🎄The “Gingerbread Capitol of the World” is Nuremburg, Germany.

Homemade Gingerbread Latte Let's get cozy with this homemade gingerbread latte! Featuring a rich, perfectly spiced gingerbread simple syrup, this holiday latte is full of festive

December 14th is National Biscuits and Gravy Day!
Did you know?
😀 Biscuits and gravy is a popular breakfast dish in the South. It consists of a doughy biscuit covered in sausage or sawmill gravy, made for the drippings of cooked pork sausage and flavored with black pepper.
😀 The meal emerged after the American Revolutionary War, when food stock was in short supply.
😀 It became a popular dish for Southern plantation workers because the ingredients were cheap and in abundance.
😀 The word “biscuit” comes from a Latin word “bis” which means to cook.
😀 It’s also known as a “gravy biscuit.”

Easy Sausage Gravy and Biscuits This biscuits and gravy recipe with refrigerated jumbo biscuits and homemade creamy sausage gravy is ready in just 15 minutes for a hearty breakfast.

December 13th is National Popcorn String Day!

Here are Four Steps of How to String Popcorn on a Christmas Tree:
🍿 Make at least one large size bowl of popcorn.
🍿 Thread the needle without cutting the thread from the spool.
🍿 Start stringing one popcorn at a time by inserting the tip of the needle into the
center of each piece.
🍿 Carefully hang the garland onto your Christmas tree.

Homemade Microwave Popcorn Find delicious and easy recipes perfect for any occasion. Browse PamperedChef.com for more recipe ideas and new kitchen products. Get inspired today!

December 12 is National Ambrosia Day!!
Did you know??
🍎 Ambrosia is a good type of apple for kids and older people to digest because of its low acid content.
🍎 Ambrosia need to be stored in the refrigerator to retain its crisp texture.
🍎 Ambrosia is known as “The food of the gods” in classical Greek mythology.
🍎 In the Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink, “Ambrosia is a dessert made
from fruits, sugar and grated coconut, most popular in the South.”

Ambrosia Get Ambrosia Recipe from Food Network

December 11th is National “Have a Bagel” Day!
Did you know?
🥯The bagel originated in Poland and it was designed for Lent.
🥯 Its name derives from the Yiddish word ‘bengal’, meaning ‘ring’ or ‘bracelet’.
🥯 Immigrant Polish-Jews brought the bagel to the United States.
🥯 Automated production and distribution of frozen bagels started in the 1960s with bagel baker Harry Lender, Murray Lender, and Florence Sender.
🥯The hole in the center of the bagel is for multiple bagels to be threaded onto a dowel, which allows bakers to transport the bagel more easily.

Homemade Bagels Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction This easy homemade bagel recipe proves that you can make deliciously chewy bagels in your own kitchen with only a few basic ingredients and baking tools!

December 10th is National Lager Day!!
Let's raise a glass (or a piece of beer bread) to the third most popular beverage after water and tea.
Did you know?
🍺 Lagers are distinguished from other beers by using a cold-conditioning process. The types of yeast used are referred to as “bottom-fermenting” yeast or yeast that can develop at colder temperatures. Before the advent of refrigeration, brewers perfected this process in cellars dug into the ground and filled with ice. Those who taste the delicious results described the lager as “crisp” and “refreshing.” It is no wonder that this method caught on and produced a wide variety of brews synonymous with regional and national brands.

🍻 With so many choices from pale, amber or dark, not to mention the many craft varieties there is are endless possibilities for your enjoyment. .

Beer Bread Find delicious and easy recipes perfect for any occasion. Browse PamperedChef.com for more recipe ideas and new kitchen products. Get inspired today!