Some of us don’t need an excuse to indulge on a favorite food, dessert or beverage. But, these August food holidays are nine great reasons to chow down.
Any day of the week could have a food holiday. Additionally, the month itself could celebrate a particular food. As the long, lazy summer days come to a close, August is the perfect time to indulge on one more favorite food.
Even with all the individual food holidays, August, as a month, has some great food celebrations. Peaches and catfish are celebrated in August. The most well-known August food celebration is National Sandwich Month.
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Putting aside the debate if a hot dog is a sandwich, sandwiches can come in all shapes and sizes. From the over the top, gigantic sandwiches to the flavorful Cuban sandwich, you could have a different sandwich every day of the month.
The key to a good sandwich is the bread to filling ratio. Too much meat, cheese or condiments makes for a sloppy sandwich. No one wants to wear the sandwich contents on his shirt. When a sandwich is overfilled, everything falls out of the bread. A good filling to bread ratio is key.
Second, choose your bread wisely. Bread that is too thick or too thin doesn’t make for a good sandwich. Also, don’t use stale bread. Besides having no flavor, the bread won’t stand up to the sandwich filling. Lastly, unless you’re five, plain, white sandwich bread isn’t the best choice. Even a multi-grain or whole wheat bread can make a big flavor difference.
But, August is more than just the sandwich month. While there are so many August food holidays over the 31 days, these nine reasons to grab a fork, spoon and straw will have you satisfied.
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National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
August 2 celebrates National ice Cream Day. Although the ice cream sandwich has been around since the early 1900s, no one really knows who created this ice cream treat. While most people think of vanilla ice cream sandwiched between chocolate cookies, the first ice cream sandwiches were different. The first ice cream sandwiches used graham crackers and vanilla ice cream.
Today, ice cream sandwiches are favorite nostalgic ice cream treats. Whether enjoyed directly from the iconic ice cream truck or made at home, these ice cream treats are popular with all ages. Over the years, the ice cream sandwich has gotten an upgrade too.
Many ice cream sandwiches are more than just cookies and ice cream. From super-loaded chocolate chip cookies to insanely flavored ice creams, ice cream sandwiches come in a multitude of options. Big, small or even gigantic, everyone can find an option to their liking.
Specifically for National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, Baskin Robbins will be serving up a special deal on the classic frozen treat. Through the company’s mobile app, guests can save on the Warm Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches. This frozen treat features “a guest’s favorite ice cream flavor sandwiched between their choice of two warmed to order, chewy cookies, topped with rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles or chopped almonds.” With the coupon, the ice cream sandwich is just $1.99.
Also, ice cream sandwiches can be made at home. Truthfully, it is as simple as putting ice cream between two cookies. For a fancier approach, an ice cream sandwich mold is a great gadget. The Tovolo ice cream sandwich cutter is simple to use, even the kids can use it. Simply bake the cookie, press the shape and press to make the pattern. It is available on Amazon for about $8.
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National Oyster Day
Did you know that “early two billion pounds of these bivalve mollusks are eaten every year?” Yes, oysters, a bivalve mollusk, is a hugely popular seafood. August 5 is National Oyster Day. While eating oysters goes back hundreds of years, the popularity of this food has changed over the years.
Oysters were at first plentiful in the United States. The sheer amount of oysters in the New York area had them thought of as a working class man’s food. But, over harvesting made them scare. The scarcity raised prices and now they are considered a delicacy.
While some people think of oysters as a delicacy, others believe that oysters have aphoristic powers. The legend states that Casanova ate numerous oysters every day. While oysters do have high levels of amino acids, no one can directly prove that eating oysters can have an amorous effect. Whether real or placebo, many people enjoy oysters on a romantic evening.
Since many oysters are eaten raw, knowing a good oyster from a bad one is important. With no wrong way to eat and oyster, some people enjoy raw oysters with hot sauce, lemon or mignonette. But, never eat a bad oyster. According to Morro Bay Oyster Company, a good oyster “should smell of the seashore as the tide recedes over seaweed-covered rocks. It should be full in the shell, firm in texture, and brimming with the natural juice that is its life blood, not just sea water.
For National Oyster Day, many restaurants across the nation are having specials. Many specials feature raw oysters by the dozen or half dozen. Some places are even offering $1 oysters. Contact your favorite oyster restaurant to see if it is having a special.
International Beer Day, photo provided by Jake’s Corner Tap
International Beer Day
Whether the first Friday in August or August 7 a cold s in order. Whether you enjoy a lager, ale or stout, International Beer Day is a great reason to raise a pint in celebration. According the International Beer Day website, the day is about enjoying a good beer with friends. Started back in 2008, the day is meant to be enjoyed outside of the house. Bars, pubs or any drinking hole is a good place to saddle up to the bar and ask for a frosty cold brew.
Started in California, International Beer Day is celebrated across the globe. While many people celebrate by drinking a favorite beer, the day celebrates brewers and bartenders. Many celebrants are encouraged to buy others a beer in celebration.
Beer can be traced back to ancient civilizations. The Egyptians enjoyed a cold brew after lugging all the stones for the pyramids. One report has beer being credited to a woman. According to Kathryn Schroeder, beer was accidently created by the ancient Mesopotamia woman, Ninkasi. Now known as the Goddess of Beer, she discovered that gathered grains, with the help of nature, became fermented. And, in turn, beer was born.
Today, beer is a huge industry. Nationally recognized brands share space with craft breweries. Even micro-breweries and nano-breweries have market share. People are becoming more beer savvy.From IPA styles to can versus bottle, the nuances of beer flavors are highly debated. Still, on a hot day, any cold beer can be quite refreshing.
While International Beer Day doesn’t require an in depth discussion on beer, the day is a great reason to gather with friends over a beer.
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National S’mores Day
S’mores are a classic summer treat. National S’mores Day is August 10. Once the sun sets and the campfire crackles, kids are always asking is it s’mores time? Something about the graham cracker, chocolate and marshmallow combination is very satisfying. Maybe it is because you lick your fingers to enjoy every last taste.
Did you know that s’more actually means “some more?” Both the Boy Scouts and the Girls Scouts refer to this campfire treat going back to the early 1900s. Betty Crocker published a recipe in the 1950s. Today, s’mores can be found in donuts, ice cream and many other foods.
The key to a good s’more is the marshmallow. Everyone has a preference on the amount of doneness of a marshmallow, but not all gooey candies are the same. If you can find some homemade marshmallows, you can taste the difference. Even if you get a big bag of Stay Puff, I would recommend really big marshmallows. The bigger surface area allows for more textures in your s’more.
If you don’t have a fire or fire pit available on National S’mores Day, don’t worry. S’mores can be made in the microwave. While you might lose the smoky flavor, you can capture the stickiness. No more than 15 seconds in the microwave and you can have this sticky, summertime treat.
For those fans who want the s’mores flavor without the mess can grab a s’mores donut, s’mores Frappuccino or some s’mores ice cream. I’m willing to bet that there is even a s’mores cocktail. S’mores fans have taken over every category.
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National Filet Mignon Day
Call it dainty or cute National Mignon August 13. Either translation from the French conveys that this small cut of meat is prized by steak lovers. Known to be extremely tender, this cut of cow’s meat contains less connective tissue. This cut of meat is more tender than other parts of the cow. Sometimes considered very buttery, the filet mignon is often a more expensive to buy.
Even though meat is tender, the filet should be seasoned prior to cooking. A coarse salt and freshly ground pepper is all that is needed. Some chefs add a drizzle of olive oil before cooking, but it isn’t completely necessary.
After spending a decent amount of money on a filet mignon, it is important to cook it correctly. Searing the piece of meat on each side maintains its juiciness. Second, determine your preferred doneness. While a filet mignon shouldn’t be served well-done, a medium rare or medium cook is wonderful. While some cooks can determine doneness by touch, a meat thermometer is a good investment.
Most important, do not cut the filet without letting is rest. Cutting the meat while hot off the grill or oven releases all the delicious juices. Keep all the flavor inside the filet and let it rest. Watching a cut steak blead on a bleed should make your heart break.
Celebrate National Filet Mignon Day at home or at your favorite steak restaurant. Don’t forget a good glass of wine to wash down the tender meat.
photo by Cristine Struble
National Rum Day
Raising a glass to the sugar cane plant should be part of the National Rum Day celebration on August 16. Without the sugar cane plant, rum would not be part of the liquor shelf. Whether white, dark or spiced, rum can be drunk neat or in a cocktail. While not as popular as vodka or whiskey, rum has earned its spot in the liquor cabinet.
Although thought of as an island drink, rum isn’t more than an ingredient in fruity, frozen cocktail. Rum can have a nuanced flavor depending on the spirit’s origin. Jamaican rum is quite different than Puerto Rican rum. Sipping the liquor neat can showcase the nuanced flavors.
Since tiki bars have gained popularity, those establishments are a great place to toast National Rum Day. Although some locations may be far from the sand and shore, the laid back tiki atmosphere is a perfect place to sip a rum cocktail. Chicagoans can head to Two Dots and A Dash for one of the best tiki bars in the nation.
If you don’t have a tiki bar in your city, mix up a rum cocktail at home. The classic daiquiri is a great option to rediscover rum. The sour cocktail isn’t the overly sweet pre-made mix that you remember from college. The perfect blend of sweet, sour and liquor can make you fall in love with this classic cocktail. Other great classic rum drinks would be a Cuba Libre or bright, herbaceous mojito.
Salud to National Rum Day.
National Bacon Lovers’ Day
Everyone say it with me. Everything is better with bacon. True, vegetarians and vegans may not agree, but many carnivores crave this meat candy. August 20 celebrates National Bacon Lover’s Day.
So many curious facts are known about bacon. From the notion that it cures hangovers to the fact the average American eats 17.9 pounds of bacon a year, bacon is part of the pop culture. I think one of the most unusual facts is that there is a patron saint of bacon (Saint Anthony the Great). If God has blessed this cured meat, then it’s welcome at my table.
People debate over the best way to cook bacon. Some people believe that the only way to get crispy bacon slices is from the griddle or pan. But, I prefer cooking bacon in the oven. Cooking bacon in the oven ensures that the bacon slide is flat. Lining the pan helps with clean-up. Also, you can add some seasonings, or even brown sugar, to oven cooked bacon. Serve up both cooking versions and see if you can taste a difference.
While a thick bacon slice is quite enjoyable, other bacon goodness can be eaten. If you’ve never tried Bacon Sausage, you are missing out. Big Fork Sausage is based in Chicago. The idea is simple, high quality ground bacon is blended with ground pork. Combined with seasonings, the encased meat is filled with tons of bacon.
With all the bacon flavor, Big Fork Bacon Sausage is perfect in many dishes. From bacon sausage biscuits to bacon sausage hash, there are many recipe combinations. Just when you thought that sausage couldn’t get better, it did because of bacon.
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National Sweet Tea Day
The refreshment of the South is sweet tea. Don’t confuse iced tea with sweet tea or you might offend a Southern lady. Sweet tea is inherently sweet. Southerners prefer sugar, sometimes a lot of sugar, in their ice tea. On August 21, why not pour yourself a glass on National Sweet Tea Day.
The South and tea have a long history. South Carolina is the first, and only, state to grow and sell tea. While sweet tea recipes vary depending on area, the first known recipe goes back to 1879 Virginia. An old cookbook explains how to make the drink. Today, it seems almost impossible that someone wouldn’t know how to make tea from a tea bag.
While sweet tea and iced tea have often been linked together, Southerners can be very protective of the sugary beverage. In 2003, a few Georgia State Representatives introduced a bill protecting sweet tea. The proposed law required restaurants to serve sweet tea. Violating restaurants would be charged with a misdemeanor. Since it was proposed on April Fools Day, the bill was more humorous than official. Also, it never became law.
Sometimes at Southern restaurants or Southern homes, iced tea is sweet tea. A non-sugared beverage isn’t made or offered. If you’re not aware of the difference, the first sip of your beverage might be quite a shock.
Still, sweet tea isn’t just limited to Southern states. McAlister’s Deli offers the Southern beverage staple. Even McDonald’s has a sweet tea version, although some purists doubt its authenticity. Of course, Chick-a-fila has their version too.
On National Sweet Tea day, pour yourself a glass of the Southern staple. It may not have you saying “bless your heart” but it could make the day a little sweeter.
August Burger, photo provided by Jake’s Corner Tap
National Burger Day
A bite into a juicy burger can be completely satisfying. Since August 27 is National Burger Day, any type of burger can be enjoyed. From the super decadent blends of red meats to the growing in popularity Impossible Burger, everyone can find a burger than he enjoys.
Over the years, burgers have gone beyond some ground meat between two buns. Today, burgers are big business. A quick glance at many restaurants menus shows that at least one burger option is available.
People debate over burgers. Some people want traditional toppings. Cheese, lettuce, tomato, and maybe some ketchup should be sufficient. But, newer thoughts lead toward blending of textures. Adding chips, or something very crunchy, to a burger adds a whole new experience. Bolder spices, more toppings or non-traditional buns are all increasing in popularity.
For this month’s celebration, I will be enjoying the Burger al Pastor at Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap. This burger blends some delicious South of the border flavors into a burger. Instead of beef, the burger uses ground pork, which is marinated with guajillo chili. Although flavorful, the heat isn’t overpowering. Topping with serrano aioli and grilled pineapple, the slow burn going down is quite enjoyable. Plus, an ice cold craft beer is always a good pairing.
Even if you can’t get to Jake’s for this special burger, why not expand your horizons for National Burger Day. Instead of the tried and true that is always ordered, go bold for this food holiday. Try a new topping, new meat or some mash-up of it all. You might discover a new burger that could become your next favorite.