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The Longest Day of the Year – VPWL Gourmet June 2014

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VPWL GOURMET 2013-2014
LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR
June, 2014

Fish and Cheese
National Seafood Month
Cold Shrimp with Creamy Shriaka Sauce and Aioli
Crab Pizza
Herring – Pickled, Sour Cream, Tomato Sauce (Purchase)
Sardines, Kippered Snacks (Purchase)
Cold Poached Salmon with Cumin Raita and Sweet Dilled Mustard
June 4 is Cheese Day
National Dairy Month
Assorted Cheeses and Crackers (Purchase)

Meat
National Steak House Month
Charcuterie (Purchase)
Roasted Fillet with Horseradish Sauce and Blue Cheese Butter
Easy Swedish Meat Balls
Lucia’s Paté
Rolls, Bread (Purchase)

Fruit and Vegetables
Georgia Blueberry Month
Blueberry Salad with Tequila-Lime Syrup
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month
Asparagus Ricotta Tart
Fruit Tray with French Cream
Cucumber Month
National Turkey Lovers Month
Turkey Cucumber Wheels
Barbara’s Deviled Eggs (no recipe – use your grandmothers)
Assorted Olives (Purchase)
Bacon Wrapped Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Sweets
June 5 is Gingerbread Day
Marie’s Ginger Cookies (no recipe – cruise the internet)
Lemon Month
Perfect Lemon Bars
National Candy Month
Selected Candy (Purchase)
June 7th is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
Ice Cream Bar (Purchase)

Liquid Refreshments
National Ice Tea Month
Long Island Ice Tea
Ice Tea
White Wine: Silverado 2010 Chardonnay
Red Wine: Beaulieu Vineyards 2009
Beer
Water
Coffee, Cream, Sugar

June 21 – Summer Solstice, Longest Day of the Year
June 1 – National Donut Day
June 4 – Cheese Day
June 5 – Gingerbread Day
June 6 – Applesauce Cake Day
June 12 – National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
June 17 – Eat All Your Veges Day
June 18 – International Picnic Day
June 19 – Martini Day
June 25 – Strawberry Parfait Day
June 26 – National Chocolate Pudding Day
June 21- National Peaches and Cream Day
Georgia Blueberry Month
Men’s Health Month
National Dairy Alternative Month
California Avocado Month
Corn and Cucumber Month
Country Cooking Month
Lemon Month
Okra Month
Pluot and Aprium Month
National Steakhouse Month
Frozen Yogurt Month
National Turkey Lovers Month
National Hunger Awareness Month
National Mango Month
National Soul Food Month
National Papaya Month
National Seafood Month
National Candy Month
National Dairy Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month
National Iced Tea Month

Ice Cream Bar

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You can figure on 1/2 gallon  of ice cream to serve 12 unless they are hungry boys – then double it.

  • Chocolate Ice Cream (½ gal each)
  • Vanilla Ice Cream (½ gal each)
  • Hershey Chocolate Syrup
  • Caramel Syrup
  • Marshmallow Crème
  • Bananas Sliced
  • Strawberries Sliced
  • Nuts/Chopped/Topping
  • Coconut Shredded
  • Mini Chocolate Chips
  • Red Sprinkles
  • Maraschino Cherries without stems
  • Whipped Cream Bomb 13 oz
  • Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

Comment: Use a muffin pan lined with cupcake liners and scoop ice cream for each individual serving. Hold in freezer.

Alternately, cut the 1/2 gallon block of ice cream in half top to bottom and cut each half into 5 servings.

 

Gourmet May 2014

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VPWL GOURMET 2013-2014
May 2014

Hors d’oeuvre
National Hamburger Month
Mini Big Fat Bacon Sliders
National Asparagus Month
Crispy Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Shrimp Day – April 10th
National Salsa Month
Grilled Shrimp with Salsa Verde

First Course
Salad Month
Strawberry Month
Vinegar Month
Balsamic Strawberries with Arugula

Entreʹe
National Barbecue Month
National Beef Month
Oven roasted Tri-Tip
Sweet Vidalia Onion Month
Green Beans with Caramelized Onions
National Potatoes Month
World Famous Twice Baked Potatoes with Bacon

Dessert
National Cherry Cobbler Month
Cherry Lime Cobbler with Vanilla Créme Fraîche Biscuits

Wine Suggestions
Santome Extra Dry Prosecco
Three Saints Sixty Seven 2007 Central Coast Blend from  Happy Canyon

Mother’s Day is May 11, 2014
May 17 is National Cherry Cobbler Day
May 17 is National Walnut Day
May 17 is National Pizza Party Day
National Artisan Gelato Month
National Barbecue Month
National Chocolate Custard Month
National Egg Month
National Hamburger Month
National Mediterranean Diet Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
National Strawberry Month
National Vinegar Month
National Beef Month
Potatoes and Limes Month
Sweet Vidalia Onion Month
Grapefruit and Kiwi Month
Carrots and Cauliflower Month
Tavern Month
National Asparagus Month
National Luau Month
National Gazpacho Aficionado Month
Food Allergy Awareness Week (May 11-17, 2014)
American Craft Beer Week (May 12-18, 2014)
International Pickles Week (3rd Week)
National Women’s Health Week (May 11-17) [begins on Mother’s Day]
UK: National Bread Week
UK: National Doughnut Week (May 10-17, 2014)

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Gourmet April 2014

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VPWL GOURMET 2013-2014

April, 2014

Hors d’oeuvre

Soft Pretzel Month
Soft Pretzels and Mustard Pretzel Dip

National BLT Sandwich Month
BLT dip

Pigs in a Blanket Day – April 24
Pigs in a Sleeping Bag

First Course

National Garden Month
National Scampi Day – April 29
Watermelon Shrimp Salad with Poppyseed Vinaigrette

Entreʹe

National Leg of Lamb Month is Next Month
Honey-Vinegar Roasted Lamb with Mint Aioli

Brussels Sprouts Month
Caramelized Shallots and Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

Garlic Day – April 19
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Dessert

Pecan Month
Pecan Tassies

  • Wine Suggestions:

    Hors d’oeuvres and First Course – 2012 Kungfu Girl Riesling (Washington)
    Entree – 2010 Anaba “Bismark Vineyard” Syrah (Sonoma)
    Desser – Blandy’s 5 year old Madeira

  • April 1 – Sliced Bread’s Birthday (1930)
    April 6 – Tomato Day
    April 6 – Teflon Birthday (1938)
    April 6 – TV Dinner birthday (1954)April 7 – No Housework Day
    April 18 -National Animal Cracker Day
    April 19 – National Amaretto Day
    April 19 – Garlic Day
    April 20 – Lima Bean Respect Day
    April 24 – Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day
    April 27 – Prime Rib Day
    April 29 – Shrimp Scampi Day
    National Food Month
    Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
    Daisy Flower Month (Edible Flowers)
    Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
    Cranberry and Gooseberries Month
    Grilled Cheese Month
    National BLT Sandwich Month
    National Soft Pretzel Month
    Uh-Huh Month
    National Garlic Month
    National Pecan Month
    National Soy Foods Month
    Egg Salad Week (week after Easter, March or April)
    National Procrastination Week was last month
    National Bubble Gum Week (3rd Week)
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Gourmet March 2014

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VPWL GOURMET 2013-2014
March, 2014

Hors d’oeuvre

Leeks and Green Onions Month
Leek, Ricotta and Walnut Pizza

Chip and Dip Day March 23
Tuna and Caper Dip

Frozen Food Month
Mini Spinach Soufflé Cups

First Course

Something on a Stick Month
National Artichoke Heart Day March 28
Caprese Antipasticks

National Flour Month
Holiday Crescents

Entree

National Sauce Month

Individual Beef Wellingtons with Gorgonzola Sauce
Bell Pepper and Broccoli Month
Roasted Broccoli, Red Pepper and Onion

Dessert

Girl Scout Week
Coconut-Carmel Cheesecake

Wine Suggestions

Hors d’oeuvres:  2012 Mason Sauvignon Blanc (Napa)
Entree:  2009 Lanbersac Puisseguin (Saint Emilion, France)

March

  1. March 14 – Pi Day (as in 3.4159265 etc.)
  2. March 14 – Potato Chip Day
  3. March 16 – National Artichoke Hearts Day
  4. March 17 – Green Beer Day
  5. March 20th – Great American Meatout – Don’t eat meat today.
  6. March 23 – Chip & Dip Day
  7. March 28 – Something on a Stick Day
  8. National Noodle Month
  9. National Peanut Month
  10. National Sauce Month
  11. National Celery Month
  12. National Flour Month
  13. Maple Sugar Month
  14. International Hamburger and Pickle Month
  15. National Pears Helene Day
  16. Broccoli Month
  17. Celery Month
  18. Bell Pepper Month
  19. Berries and Cherries Month
  20. Exotic Winter Fruit Month
  21. Leeks and Green Onions Month
  22. National Frozen Food Month
  23. National Nutrition Month
  24. Caffine Awareness Month
  25.  Girl Scout Week (March 9 – 15 Think Cookies!)
  26. National Poison Prevention Week (3rd week in March)
  27. UK: SPAM Appreciation Week (March 4-10, 2013 –  Google it) We tried! No good recipes.
  28. World Salt Awareness Week (March 11-17, 2013)
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Gourmet February 2014

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VPWL GOURMET 2013-2014

February, 2014

Hors d’oeuvre

National Fondue Month
Beer Fondue and Tomato Cheese Fondue

First Course

Jello-O Week
Molded Gazpacho Salad

Entreʹe

National Sword Swallower’s Day
Berry Fresh in the Sunshine State Month
Broiled Sword Fish with Blueberry Pepper Jam
Beans (dried and fresh) Month
Herbed Green Beans with Feta
Potato Lover’s Month
Gratin Dauphinois

Dessert

Great American Pies Month
Celebration of Chocolate Month
National Cherry Month
Chocolate Chess Pie with Dark Cherry Sauce

Wine and Beer Suggestions:
With Fondue -Goebelsberger Gruner Veltliner
                              Estrella Inedit Beer (Ferran Andrea)
With Entreʹ – Manciat Macon 2011

  • February

 

  • February 15 – National Gumdrop Day
    February 2 – Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
    February 15 – National I Want Butterscotch Day
    February 7 – Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day
    February 17 – Random Acts of Kindness Day
    February 23 – Open That Bottle Da
    February 24 – National Tortilla Chip Day
    February 27 – Kahlua Day
    African American History Month
    American Heart Month
    Bake for Family Fun Month
    Bean (fresh and dried) Month
    Berry Fresh in the Sunshine State Month
    National Bird Feeding Month
    National Grapefruit Month
    National Hot Breakfast Month
    National Snack Food Month
    National Fondue Month
    Potato Lover’s Month
    Berry Fresh Month
    National Cherry Month
    Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
    Canned Food Month
    Celebration of Chocolate Month
    Great American Pies Month
    North Carolina Sweet Potato Month
    Jell-O Week (2nd full week in Feb) – in 2001 Jell-O was declared Official State Snack of Utah
    National Pancake Week (Feb 10-16)
    World Sword Swallower’s Day (last Saturday in February) (Not for us!)

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Gourmet January 2014

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VPWL GOURMET 2013-2014
January, 2014

Hors d’oeuvre

National Meat Month
National Slow Cooker Month
Meaty Chicken Dip

Fig Newton day – January 16th
Figgy Blue Cheese Bacon Bites

Popcorn Day January 19th
Popcorn Three Ways

First Course

National Soup Month
National Egg Month
Egg Flower Soup

Entreeʹ

Peking Duck Day – January 18th
20 minute Peking Duck with Quinoa Salad

Dessert

National Apple and Apricot Month
National Brandy Alexander Day January 31st
Apple and Apricot Crisp with Brandy Mascarpone

National Candy Month
National Fiber Focus Month
Fiber One® Chocolate Peanut Butter Haystacks

National Hot Tea Month
National Coffee Gourmet Month

Wine Suggestions
HDO & Soup: Raventos I Blanc 2011 Cava
Entreeʹ: Hahn 2012 Pinot Noir

January 

  1. Fat Free Living Month
  2. International Coffee Gourmet Month
  3. National Dried Plum Breakfast Month
  4. National Fiber Focus Month
  5. National Hot Tea Month
  6. National Retail Bakers Month
  7. Apple and Apricot Month
  8. Artichoke and Asparagus Month
  9. Shape Us Up Month
  10. Tubers and Dried Fruit Month
  11. Fat Free Living Month
  12. National Slow Cooking Month
  13. National Oatmeal Month
  14. National Soup Month
  15. National Wheat Bread Month
  16. Bread Machine Baking Month
  17. National Candy Month
  18. National Egg Month
  19. National Meat Month

VARIABLE DATE EVENTS

  1. Diet Resolution Week – January 1 – 7 (We missed it!)
  2. Fig Newton Day – January 16
  3. Peking Duck Day – January 18
  4. Popcorn Day – January 19
  5. National Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Week – January 17-23
  6. Hot Heads Chili Days – January 17-18
  7. National Corn Chip Day – January 29
  8. Chinese New Years – January 31
  9. National Brandy Alexander Day – January 31
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Gourmet December 2013

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VPWL

GOURMET 2013-2014

Happy New Year!!!

Hors d’oeuvres

 National Bacon Day, December 30th
Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps
Bacon Candied Apple Spiced Nuts

National Lager Day December 10th
Kielbasa Appetizers

Winter Solstice – for the longest winter night, December 21st
Warm Blue Cheese Dip

National French Fried Shrimp Day, December 21th
Shake’N’Bake Coconut Shrimp

Six Months ’til National Ham Day
Ham Nirvana

Mary Had A Little Lamb Day
Lamb Lollipops with Balsamic Reduction

National Hamburger Day, December 21st
Cocktail Meatballs

National Pastry Day, December 9th
Mary Kay’s Good Stuff

National Root Vegetable Month
Ham and Turkey Roll-Ups

Cobalt Ocean Celebrates Lime Day, 16th of every month
Southwestern Margarita Quesadillas

Issquah Salmon Days – a little late (October 5th)
Citrus Salmon

For National Sangria Day, December 20th
Chili Relleño Appetizers

Dessert

 National Fruit Cake Month
Nutty Fruitcake Bars

Cookie Day, December 4th
National Eggnog Month
Eggnog Cookies

National Gingerbread House Day, December 12th
Gingerbread Bars

Cup Cake Day, December 16th
Champagne Day, December 31th
Champagne Cup Cakes

National Chocolate Day, December 28th and 29th
Busterback Cross Country Ski Ranch Soda Cracker Candy

National Candy Cane Day December 26th
Candy Cane Sugar Cookie Bars

Coffee

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​National Coffee Percolator Day, December 26
National Eggnog Month
Homemade Eggnog Coffee Creamer

Wine

National Repeal the 21st Amendment Day, December 5th
Hostess Choice

National Stress Free Family Holiday Month

December 2013

  • National Egg Nog Month
  • World Wide Food Service Safety Month
  • Winter Squash Month
  • Quince Month
  • Watermelon Month
  • Root Vegetable Month
  • Exotic Fruit Month
  • Cookie Cutter Week – First Week
  • December 5 Comfort Food Day
  • December National Repeal the 21st Amendment Day
  • December 7: National Cotton Candy Day
  • December 12: National Cocoa Day
  • December 12:Gingerbread House Day
  • December 16: National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day
  • December 21: National Hamburger Day
  • Kiwi Fruit Day (California)
  • National French Fried Shrimp Day
  • Look At The Bright Side Day
  • December 26: National Candy Cane Day
  • December 28: National Chocolate Day
  • December 29: National Chocolate Day (2 is good!)
  • National Get on the Scales Day
  • December 30: Bacon Day
  • National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
  • December 31: Champagne Day

Gourmet November 2013

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VPWL GOURMET 2013-2014

CELEBRATE WORLD OF FLAVOR MONTH

November, 2013

Hors d’oeuvres
(Do not do this!!! It was expensive and not very good!)
National Fast Food Day
El Pollo Loco: Guacomole, Salsa, Salsa Rojo, Chips
Olive Garden: Hot Artichoke Dip
Chick-fil-A: Chick-n-Minis

First Course
National Pomegranate Month
Arugula, Orange, Pomegranate, & Goat Cheese Salad

Entrée
National Roasting Month
Cornish Hens with Sweet Vermouth Garlic Glaze
Roasted Vegetables


Dessert
National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
National Fun with Fondue Month
Chocolate Fondue Cups

Wine Suggestions
Celebrate a Wine Festival(See attached)

For cocktails: Flor Prosecco
For dinner:  Choose one of the Pinot Noirs below or have a Pino Noir tasting.
The Bucket #4, Russian River Valley 2012
McKinlay, Willamette Valley 2012
Hartley Ostini, Hitching Post Hometown, Santa Barbara 2012

WINE HOLIDAYS/FESTIVALS – NOVEMBER

Alexander, Dry Creek, & Russian River Valleys Wine & Food Affair
Barbados Food & Wine & Rum Festival
Big Sur Food & Wine Festival
Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival
Decanter Bordeaux Wine Encounter
Denver International Wine Festival
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Flavor! Napa Valley
France: Nouveau Beaujolais wine released – 3rd Thursdayy
Holiday Harvest Wine & Food Festival
Holiday Valley Beer & Wine Festival
Hospitality de los Carneros Festival
Howell Mountain Harvest Celebration
Long Beach Wine Blast
Madera Holiday Spirit Wine Festival
Merano Wine Festival & Culinaria
Portland Great American Wine Festival
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
Santa Barbara Wine of Dreams Festival
Seeing Red Wine Festival
SLO Wine’s Rockin Harvest on the Coast
Sonoma County Wine & Food Affair
Spokane Holiday Wine Fest
Temecula Harvest Celebration
Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival
Veneto Prosecco Festival
Vino Novello Festival
Walla Walla Fall Release Week Festival
Willamette Valley Wine Country Thanksgiving
Yosemite Vintners Holiday
November 15 is National Clean Out You Refrigerator Day
November 16 is National Fast Food Day
November 16 is Have a Party with your Bear Day
November 16 is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month
National Pepper Month
National Raisin Bread Month
National Banana Pudding Lovers Month
Greens and Plantains Month
National Fun with Fondue Month
National Good Nutrition Month
National Roasting Month
National Georgia Pecan Month
National Diabetes Month
National Apple Month
National Spinach and Squash Month
National Sweet Potato Awareness Month
Good Nutrition Month
Vegan Awareness Month
National Cookie Week
National Culinary Week
National Men Make Dinner Day (1st Thursday)
National Peanut Festival
National Pomegranate Month
National Roasting Month
National Split Pea Soup Week
National Slaughter Month
Switzerland: Onion Market (Zibelemarit)

 

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Gourmet October 2013

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VPWL  GOURMET 2013-2014
CELEBRATE  GOURMET ADVENTURES
October, 2013

Hors d’oeuvres
National Kraut Sandwich Week
Baked Reuben Dip
Sun Dried Tomatoes Month
Cheese and Sun Dried Tomato Rounds
National Pretzel Month
Take a Dip

First Course
National Tomato Month
Tomato Prosciutto and Ricotta Tart

Entrée
National Pork Month
Apple and Cherry Stuffed Loin Pork Chops
National Spinach-Lovers’ Month
Untemperamental Spinach and Cheese Soufflé

Dessert
National Pear Month
National Caramel Month
National Dessert Month
Pears Baked in Red Wine with Caramel Sauce

Wine Harvest Wine Weekend -Paso Robles, California
2012 Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare
2011 Foxglove Chardonnay
Lodi Road Trip Event
2011 Bokisch Garnacha

OCTOBER 
Eclipse of the Moon October 18-19th
October 19 is The Evergreen Sausage Festival – Evergreen, Alabama
October 19 is Morton Punkin Chuckin Contest – Morton, Illinois
October 19 is National Oatmeal Muffin Day
October 19 is National Seafood Bisque Day
October 19 is Shelby Fall Liver Mush Expo – Shelby, North Carolina
October 19-20 is National Frozen and Refrigerated Food Convention

October is

American Cheese Month
Celebrate Sun Dried Tomatoes Month
Cook Book Month
Gourmet Adventures Month
National Eat Better; Eat Together Month
National Kitchen and Bath Month
National Restaurant Hospitality Month
National Rice Month
National Spinach-Lovers’ Month
National Tomato Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
National Pizza Festival Month
National Popcorn Poppin’ Month
National Pasta Month
National Pork Month
National Pretzel Month
National Seafood Month
Eat Country Ham Month
National Apple Month
National Applejack Month
National Caramel Month
Vegetarian Awareness Month
National Chili Month
National Cookie Month
National Liver Awareness Month
National Pear and Pineapple Month
National Bake and Decorate Month
National Sausage Month
National Dessert Month
National Chestnut Week (13-19)
Food and Drug Interaction and Awareness Week ( 17 – 24)
National Kraut Sandwich Week – 3rd Week
October 18-20, 2013  Harvest Wine Weekend – Paso Robles, California
Great American Cake Show & Wedding Cake Competition,Westminster, Maryland (Oct 19-20)

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