Learning With My Boys

Apr 1- Wed

Apr 2- Thurs- National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

We made PB&J’s for lunch today.

Apr 3- Fri- National Chocolate Mousse Day

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 8 oz semi sweet mini chocolate chips
• berries

Directions:

1. Heat 3/4 cup of the heavy cream in a small sauce pan on medium heat. Remove once is starts to simmer.
2. Add the chocolate chips to the hot cream and whisk until smooth.
3. Let it cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
4. Whip the remaining 1 1/4 cup of heavy cream with an electric mixer for about 5 minutes.
5. Once is starts to peak, fold in half of it to the cooled chocolate.
6. Then gently fold in the remaining cream to the chocolate until it is smooth.
7. Place in 6 serving bowls and refrigerate for 2 hours.
8. Top with berries.

Apr 4- Sat- National Ramen Noodles Day

We made Ramen Noodles for lunch today.

Apr 5- Sun- National Deep Dish Pizza Day

We tried some frozen personal deep dish pizzas.

Apr 6- Mon-National Caramel Popcorn Day

Ingredients:

• 10 cups popped corn
• 2 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup corn syrup (Karo)
• 1 cup btter
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Boil the sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a small sauce pan.
2. Add the sweetened condensed milk and cook to softball stage.
3. Add vanilla.
4. Put the popcorn into large bowls and pour the caramel over it. Mix until the popcorn is covered.

To reheat, place in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.

Apr 7- Tues- National Coffee Cake Day

Cake Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 TBSP flour
• 1 TBSP cinnamon

Glaze Ingredients:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix the cake ingredients one at a time stopping when you get to the milk.
3. Add in the milk slowly while it is mixing.
4. Pour the cake mix into a greased 9×13 cake pan.
5. Mix the topping ingredients with an electric mixer.
6. Drop spoonfulls of the mixture evenly over the batter in the pan, then swirl it around with a butter knife.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Whisk together the glaze ingredients, adding more milk if needed.
9. After the cake has cooled for about 10 minutes, drizzle the glaze over the cake.
10. Allow it to set, but serve warm

Apr 8- Wed- National Empanada Day (mini meat empanadas)

I used this mini Empanada recipe from the Landscape Insight blog.

Apr 9- Thurs- National Chinese Almond Cookie Day

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup soft butter
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• sliced almonds
• 1 TBS milk
• 1 egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare 2 baking sheets.
2. Mix the ingredients well, adding 1 at a time starting at the top of the list and stopping with the extracts.
3. Scoop the dough, adding 1 tablespoon at a time to the cookie sheet. Place them about 2 inches apart.
4. Place 3 almonds in a star shape on the top of each cookie pressing them slightly in to flatten a bit.
5. Mix the milk and egg and gently brush on the top of each cookie.
6. Bake for 18 minutes unitl the edges are golden brown.

Apr 10- Fri- National Cinnamon Crescent Day

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 TBS sugar
• 1 TBS yeast
• 2 TBS soft butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 cups flour
• 1 TBS cinnamon

• 2 TBS soft butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Mix the sugar and water. Sprinkle the yeast on the top and let it rest for 5 mintues.
2. Add the butter, salt, cinnamon, and flour (one cup at a time).
3. Knead for 5 minutes, cover and let it rise for 20 minutes.
4. Cut the dough into 2 pieces and roll them out into 15 inch circles.
5. Cut each circle into 8 triangles and roll them from the large side in to the smaller side.
6. Place on the baking sheet and let rest for 20 minutes.
7. Brush with melted butter and cinnamon.
8. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 mintues.

Apr 11- Sat- National Cheese Fondue Day

I used this Swiss & Cheddar Cheese Fondue recipe from the Butter with a Side of Bread blog.

Apr 12- Sun- Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

Ingredients:

• bread
• butter
• cheese (any kind you like)
• garlic salt

Directions:

1. Place a pan on medium heat.
2. Lightly butter 2 slices of bread.
3. Place one slice of bread butter side down on the pan.
4. Place the cheese on bread.
5. Place the other slice of bread on top of the cheese with the butter side up.
6. Sprinkle garlic salt on the butter side.
7. Once the bottom is golden brown, flip the sandwich.
8. Once the second side is golden brown, remove from heat.

Apr 13- Mon- National Peach Cobbler Day

Ingredients

• 4 Cups fresh sliced peaches
• 1 Cup sugar for peaches
• 1 tsp lemon juice

• 1 Cup flour
• 1 Cup sugar for batter
• 1 Cup milk
• 1/2 Cup melted buter
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 10×13 inch baking dish.
2. Mix the peaches with 1 cup of sugar and 1 tsp lemon juice and let them sit while you prepare the batter.
3. In a mixing bowl, add the ingredients 1 at a time starting with the flour.
4. Spread the batter in the baking dish.
5. Spoon the peaches and their juices over the batter, but do not stir it. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top of the peaches.
6. Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown.
7. Cool for 15 minutes before serving warm with cool whip or vanilla ice cream.

Apr 14- Tues- National Pecan Day (pecan pie muffins)

I used this pecan pie muffin recipe from the No Dash of Gluten blog.

Apr 15- Wed- McDonald’s Day

We had lunch at McDonald’s today with a play place.

Apr 16- Thurs

Apr 17- Fri- National Cheeseball Day (Onion Ranch Cheese Ball)

Ingredients

• 2 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese
• 1/2 cup of dry ranch mix
• 12 green onions (thinly sliced)
• plastic wrap

Directions

1. Mix the cream cheese with a hand mixer until creamy.
2. Mix in the ranch mix and 1 TBS of the green onions.
3. Wrap the cheeseball in the plastic wrap and form a ball shape.
4. Unwrap the ball and roll it in the extra green onions.
5. Re-wrap the plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours.
6. Serve with crackers, pretzels, and chips.

Apr 18- Sat- Animal Crackers Birthday

I found a small package of Animal Crackers for the kids. They like to dip them in peanut butter or Nutella.

Apr 19- Sun- Garlic Day (Garlic Butter Chicken, Garlic Butter Rice & Garlic Parmesan Rolls)

Chicken Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb chicken breast ( 1 in pieces)
• 1 tea Italian Seasoning
• 1/4 tea salt
• 1/4 tea pepper
• 1/8 tea paprika
• 1 TBS olive oil
• 3 TBS butter
• 2 TBS minced garlic
• 1 TBS minced parsley

Chicken Directions:

1. Heat the pan and add the oil and 1 TBS of the butter.
2. Add the chicken pieces and cool thoroughly, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Add 2 TBS of the butter and the minced garlic, cook for 1 more minutes.
5. Add the parsley and serve.

Rice Ingredients:

• 1 TBS butter
  • 1 TBS olive oil
  • 1/4 Cup chopped onion
  • 2 TBS minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 Cup white rice
  • 3 Cup chicken broth

Rice Directions:

1. Heat pot to medium heat and add the oil and butter.
2. Add the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the rice and chicken broth.
4. Cover the pot and simmer on low heat until the liquid is gone.
5. Remoted from the heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
6. Fluff with a fork and add more butter, salt and pepper.

Rolls Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 Cup warm water
• 1/4 Cup sugar
• 2 TBS yeast
• 1/3 Cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 egg
  • 4 Cup flour

• 4 TBS butter
• 1 TBS garlic salt
• 2 tsp parsley
• 1/4 Cup parmesan cheese

Rolls Directions:

1. Mid the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let rest for 10 minutes.
2. Line 10×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
3. Whisk in the oil, salt, egg.
4. Add the flour and mix well.
5. Separate the dough into 15 balls.
6. Place the balls on the pan 3×5 rows.
7. Cover with a tea towel and let rise for 10 minutes.
8. Heat the oven to 375 degrees Ferenheit.
9. Melt the butter and add the garlic sat and parsley.
10. Brush the butter on the dough and bake for 18 minutes.
11. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Apr 20- Mon- National Cheddar Fries Day

Ingedients:

• Frozen Fries
• Cheddar Cheese
• Bacon Bits
• Olive Oil Spray

Directions:

1. Spray your baking sheet and spread the fries on them.
2. Bake the fries according to the directions, spraying them before putting them in the oven.
3. Place shredded cheese and bacon bits on the fries and put in the oven for 5 more minutes to melt.

Apr 21- Tues- National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day

Ingredents:

• 1 10 oz bag of dark chocolate chips
• 1 8 oz can of roasted cashews

Directions:

1. Heat some water in a pot on the oven, placing a glass bowl on top of the pot.
2. Turn off the heat once it starts to boil, and place the chocolate in the bowl.
3. Gently stir for a few minutes until it is melted and smooth.
4. Remove from the heat and add the nuts.
5. Place some wax paper on a baking sheet.
6. Place spoonfuls of nuts on the baking sheet and chill for half an hour.

Apr 22- Wed- National Jelly Bean Day

We found Starburst Jellybeans for today!

Apr 23- Thurs- National Cherry Cheesecake Day (Cherry Cheese Pie)

Ingredients:

• 9 inch Graham Crust
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 14 oz sweetend condensed milk
• 1/3 Cup lemon juice
• 1 tea vanilla
• 1 can cherry pie filling

Directions:

1. Beat the cream in a large bowl until fluffy.
2. Beat in the remaining ingredients until smooth.
3. Pour into the graham crust.
4. Refrigerate for 3 hours.
5. Top with cherries.

Apr 24- Fri- National Pigs-in-a-blanket Day

We wrapped crescent roll dough around our hot dogs and baked them according to the directions on the crescent roll packaging.

Apr 25- Sat- National Zucchini Bread Day

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1 Cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/4 Cup White Sugar
• 3 Cup Four
• 1 tea salt
• 1 tea baking soday
• 1 tea baking powder
• 1 TBS cinnamon
• 3 tea vanilla
• 2 Cup grated zucchini
• 1 Cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour 2 bread pans.
2. Beat the eggs, oil, and sugar.
3. Mix in the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and vanilla.
4. Stir in the zucchini and nuts.
5. Pour the batter into the pans and bake for 60 minutes.
6. Cool in the pans before you remove and eat.

Apr 26- Sun- National Pretzel Day

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Cup warm water
• 2 TBS sugar
• 1 TBS instant dry yeast
• 4 Cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tea salt

• 1 Cup water
• 2 tea baking soda
• coarse sea salt
• 1/4 Cup melted butter

Directions:

1. Combine the warm water and sugar. sprinkle the yeast on top and let rest for 5 minutes.
2. Mix and add the flour and salt, knead in mixer.
3. Grease a bowl and place the dough in the bowl. Cover with a tea towel and let rise for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 2 baking sheets.
5. Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a 24 inch rope and from into a pretzel.
6. Bowl water and baking soda in a shallow pan. submerge each pretzel in the water and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
7. Bake for 11-12 minutes and the brush with melted butter.

Apr 27- Mon

Apr 28- Tues- National Blueberry Pie Day

Ingredients:

• 2 pints fresh blueberries
• 2/3 Cup sugar
• 1/4 Cup corn startch
• Lemon Zest from 1 lemon
• 1 TBS fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 tea cinnamon
• 1/8 tea salt

• 2 TBS butter (cut into tiny squares)
• 2 Pie Crusts 9 inch
• 1 Egg for wash

Directions:

1. Refrigerate pie dough for at least an hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a baking sheet in the oven to heat.
3. In a large bowl coat blueberries with sugar, corn starch, lemon zest, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Let that sit while you prepare the crust.
5. Spray and flour the bottom of a pie plate. Place one pie crust in the pie plate.
6. Pour the berries in the pie plate, and spread the tiny butter pieces on top.
7. Cut the second pie crust into strips and weave it on the top of the pie. Crimp edges and trim any crust hanging off around the pie plate.
8. Brush with egg wash.
9. Chill for 20 minutes.
10. Place the pie on the heated pan, and bake at 425 for 20 minutes.
11. Reduce heat to 375 and keep baking for 35-45 minutes until it is golden and bubbling.
12. Cool on a rack for 3 hours.

Apr 29- Wed

Apr 30- Thurs- National Oatmeal Cookie Day (Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies)

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup shortening
• 1/2 Cup butter
• 1 1/2 Cup peanut butter
• 2 Cu brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 tea vanilla
• 3 Cup oats
• 2 tea baking soda
• 1 tea salt
• 10 oz peanut butter baking chips

Directions:

1. Cream the shortening and butter. Add the sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
2. Mix in the rest of the ingeredents.
3. Chill for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 350.
5. Drop teaspoonfuls onto a treated baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

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Here are some of my past National Food Holiday Posts: