Holiday Food: Spotlight on Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrated mainly by those of Mexican Heritage. It is not observed as a national holiday but here in America, particularly Texas, the state of my current residence, it is celebrated every May 5^th. As with most holidays, there is great food! This post shares a selection of cooking videos that showcase food served during Cinco de Mayo celebrations. 

Cinco de Mayo: Facts, Meaning & Celebrations – HISTORY

How to do Cinco de Mayo at Home in Austin ~ https://t.co/k7oAOmzkcI #holidays #celebrations #CincoDeMayo #Austin #Texas pic.twitter.com/8btop26zi1

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) May 3, 2020

More YT Cooking Videos for Cinco de Mayo

World Cuisine : Focus on Food Contributions of the Irish

Since March is Irish-American Heritage Month, this post will share information about Ireland's food history and various recipes which were likely brought to the United States by way of Irish immigrants (or were adopted by the Irish-Americans and made their own).  😍

  

Timeline of the Irish Potato Famine 1845-1851

Some may say there's plenty of meat and potatoes when it comes to Irish food.  But that was not always so.  7 years of famine? Sounds biblical, doesn't it?

Timeline of the Irish Potato Famine 1845-1851

March 24th 1847: British people, led by Queen Victoria, held a National Day of Atonement, fasting and doing penance, for the Irish famine.[16] April 1847: A report, to the Central Board of Health from Killarney, showed that people were literally dropping dead in the street.

How to Make Irish Stew

How to Make Irish Stew

Irish Stew is the kind of food that is great on a cold winters night, but is simply perfect on any occasion. The aroma combined with the flavor make it one of my favorite meals. I currently have about five, but the addition of the barley in this recipe add a lot of texture and flavor to the stew.

Why Do We Eat Corned Beef and Cabbage on St Patrick's Day?

The complete question is: Why Do We Eat Corned Beef and Cabbage on St Patrick's Day When Corned Beef and Cabbage is Not Irish Food?

Why Do We Eat Corned Beef and Cabbage on St Patrick's Day?

by JoHarrington I'll admit that I was somewhat taken aback. I'd just finished telling an American friend that her country is responsible for St Patrick popularly wearing green (traditionally he wore blue), and for linking shamrocks with the Irish.

The Best Irish-Inspired Recipes

The Best Irish-Inspired Recipes

Yes, there's plenty of meat and potatoes when it comes to Irish food, but there's a lot more too, and it's all delicious.

Is Traditional Irish Food in America Accurate? | PBS Food

Is Traditional Irish Food in America Accurate? | PBS Food

by Allison Gray If an Irishman came to America on St. Patrick's Day, he might be a little bit shocked by the leprechaun outfits, green beer guzzlers, and yes, even the corned beef and cabbage. To be Irish in America is no rare thing-about 34.5 million people in the United States claim Irish heritage according to the 2011 U.S.

Irish American Mom's Top Ten Recipes

Irish American Mom's Top Ten Recipes

With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, I thought why not review my recipes to see which ones are most popular with readers. And so I've come up with my Top Ten Recipes of all time. Believe it or not, all of the most viewed recipes on my site are Irish recipes.

Decorative divider images from glitter-graphics.com

Chocolate Links for Chocolate Lovers

Chocolate is the ultimate comfort food. 

It is definitely not on the list of things one can not Google. You never have any problems finding stuff about chocolate. People love to celebrate it and make up national days for it. They tout all its health benefits as if one needs an excuse to eat it. Even raw chocolate is becoming “the right thing” to eat. 

* Chocolate Good for the Memory

* Why Drinking Hot Chocolate is Good for You?

* National Chocolate Éclair Day - Éclair means “flash of lightning” and describes the speed at which these delicacies will disappear if left unguarded.

* National Chocolate Pudding Day

* National Chocolate-Covered Raisins Day

* National Chocolate Candy Day

* National Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day

* National Chocolate Ice Cream Day

* Raw Chocolate is Now a Trend

**

Follow on Twitter

Indulge yourself with Special Dessert Teas ~ https://t.co/wFytci71Jz ~ #dessertteas #giftideas for #tealovers #teadrinkers #foodanddrink #grocery #gourmet #guiltypleasure ( Image: Dark #Chocolate #Peppermint Tea ) pic.twitter.com/FPmRefCu8n

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) August 29, 2019

Superfood Tea Comes in Chocolate! Miracle Tree - #Organic #Moringa #Superfood Tea ( 25 Individually Sealed Tea Bags), #Chocolate https://t.co/9ZuxxB2ZiA #teas #teadrinkers #tealover #FoodandDrink pic.twitter.com/yQPxxsS6Ii

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) June 5, 2020

Dessert Teas: Cuppa #ChocolateTea Assortment for chocolate lovers.#RedVelvet #Chocolate Tea, #Coconut Cocoa Tea, #Banana Chocolate Tea, #Strawberry Chocolate Tea, and #Peppermint Chocolate Tea. https://t.co/pPR0qnKpa8 #teadrinkers #tealover #FoodandDrink pic.twitter.com/XCKnXqeIIF

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) June 5, 2020

Bumbleberry Farms #Honey Cream Spreads; Set of 4 Flavors: Sea Salt Caramel, #Cinnamon Stick, Dark Chocolate, Sweet Maple; Small Batch; Natural; Preservative-Free; Four 8-OZ Jars ~ https://t.co/WcxhBc0KX4 ~ #Chocolate spread and #peanutbutter taken to the next level. #grocery pic.twitter.com/IujYLrkTfU

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) March 4, 2022

Wassail is a Wonderful Way to Celebrate Winter and the Holiday Spirit!

Did you know that a cup of warm wassail is very soothing to a sore throat? Yes. One time it was a Christmas holiday and I was under the weather. I had a sore throat and my daughter came over and made some wassail in a crock pot. I took one sip and it felt so good going down my throat. Who knew?

Sore throat or not, a drink of warm wassail is delicious, especially during the wintry months. There are so many recipe variations.

"Wassail is a beverage of hot mulled cider, drunk traditionally as an integral part of wassailing, a Medieval Christmastide English drinking ritual intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year." (Source: Wikipedia)

The Christmas tree and other decorations are up and I am counting the days until December 25th. For this blog post, I simply must share a wonderful wassail recipe that a friend shared with me in response to a question I asked about celebrating the Winter Solstice. I know some people don't care too much for eggnog but most people really enjoy a delicious wassail drink.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with this Wassail Recipe by Spiderdust:  Core out of some apples (not the whole way through), stuff them with sugar, put a bunch of cloves in an orange, and then roast all of the fruit for half an hour. Put the roasted fruit in a gallon of cider with some cinnamon sticks, allspice, some pieces of crystallized ginger, a few pieces of star anise, and then grate some nutmeg over it all. Optional: Throw in some fresh or frozen cranberries. Let it simmer on low all day long. People can serve themselves as they please. The longer it simmers, the better it gets.

“Here We Come A-wassailing (or Here We Come A-caroling) is an English traditional Christmas carol and New Year song, apparently composed c. 1850.  (Source)

More Wassail Recipes:

* Original acrylic elf painting, Wassail: Santa's elves at workbench, Woodworking tools, Alphabet letter W, Gift for Dad, Fantasy Christmas ~ Found on Etsy

Edible Fruit Bouquet Arrangements: Home Made or Ready Made?

Don't know about you but every year one of my Top 10 New Year's Resolutions is to eat more fruits (and veggies; especially the green leafy kind).  But thinking about it.  Not only is it a good idea to eat more fresh fruit, but since there are holidays, birthdays, and special occasions all throughout the year, giving fruit as a food gift is also a good thing.  

Don't you love receiving fruit baskets and edible arrangements?  

Do you prefer to make your own or purchase these gifts ready made?

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Fabulous How to Video: 
Make Edible Fruit Bouquet Arrangements! 

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But if you're still not into making these arrangements or you don't have the time, there is a convenient way to order online and have this lovely edible gift delivered.

Edible Arrangements Coupons

Fruit Bouquets: Deliver delicious fruit bouquets to share!

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Cooking Tips : No Need For a Special Diet to Use Ingredient Substitutes

Whether you believe eggs are good or bad, at least there are egg substitutes, in case you run out of eggs. ☺

Imagine.

It's a holiday. 🎄

You're preparing a scrumptious meal. 

Many of the recipes require eggs. 

But! You run out of eggs! 

PANIC!! 

All the grocery stores are closed because ... it's a holiday! 

Can't borrow from the neighbors because every egg they have is CRITICAL!!  They're celebrating the holiday too.  

What do you do? 😨

This food chart (below) was made for vegans. But you don't have to be on a special diet to use cooking ingredient substitutes or alternatives.

By the way.  If this doesn't convince you to keep a ready supply of applesauce and tofu on hand, nothing will! ☺ 

Top 9 Plant-Based Egg Substitutes For A Healthy Diet

Similar links of Interest:

Za’atar is an Excellent Salt Substitute

Za’atar is a spice mix or a spice blend used in Arab and Israeli cuisines. It is used in recipes the same way Westerners use salt.

There is No Law Against Veggie Substitutes

Sure many recipes are tradition! But if you won’t eat a dish because of that one vegetable that you just don’t like, then go ahead and substitute the veggie for the one you do like! It’s OK. That’s not illegal!

It's March! Time to Celebrate Irish Food!

It's March!  March is Irish-American Heritage Month.

Wishing you a happy holiday in advance.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
 

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© Photographer: Anna Maslikova | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Food Blog Spotlight: Honey Chai Cake Recipe | Arabic Food (Reblog)

Are you curious about global flavors?  You have wanderlust but can't wander too far because your travel budget is extremely limited?  Describing myself, of course.  My travel adventures are accomplished mainly through the Internet and television.  Was watching a TV cooking show and the host asked one of his guests who was a world traveler, which part of the world had the "best food" (in his opinion).  He said he enjoyed food prepared in the Middle East.  

Image credit:  Arabic Food I, photo by Victor Maia, found at Flickr.com



Connecting the dots.  

Several months back, began using the Google+ collections feature to maintain a collection of posts and links related to World Cuisine.  In the process, stumbled across the Arabic Food Recipes blog.  My husband and kids are turned on to chai tea. Even though I am a coffee fiend, having been encouraged by them to try a cup, it's very easy to understand why they are chai tea lovers.  At the aforementioned food blog found a cake recipe and thought to myself:

• 'Chai tea is delicious. Why not chai cake?'  

(See link shared below.)

Here is another thing to note about this blog.  When many of us are enjoying the holiday season, we say "Happy Holidays" to others.  Why?  It's not to be anti-Christmas.  America is a diverse nation.  Some folks do not celebrate Christmas.  But they do celebrate a holiday!  This blog has holiday recipes for Christmas, EID, and Ramadan.  Cool huh?

Honey Chai Cake Recipe

Honey Chai Cake Recipe

A delicious honey cake with tea, covered with vanilla and white chocolate icing, no one can resist it! Shaikha - founder of "When Shaikha Cooks" blog - prepared for you this unique recipe, to prepare it easily, especially for when you're expecting friends.

Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with flavours of shawarma recipe

“There’s nothing worse than being stuck in the kitchen on Christmas day while all your guests are enjoying themselves outside, so this DIY lamb shawarma recipe is the perfect solution. ...”

Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with flavours of shawarma recipe

The Arabic Food Recipes Kitchen (The home of Delicious Arabic Food) invites you to try Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with flavours of shawarma recipe. Enjoy the Arabic cuisine and learn how to make Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with flavours of shawarma.

Eid Kaak with Dates Recipe

Eid Kaak with Dates Recipe

Cooking time: 20 minutes servings: 100 Ingredients Dough: 2 cups very hot margarine7 cups flour2 tsp smell of kaak (special kaak spices)2 tbsp toasted sesame1/2 cup warm water1 tbsp yeast 1 tsp sugar1/2 cup milk Stuffing: 500 grams Ajwa (dates)1 tsp cinnamon For garnish: Fine powder sugar Directions 1.

Eggplant With Lamb, Tomato and Pine Nuts Recipe

“ … this traditional Lebanese dish is made for celebratory meals and gatherings.

Eggplant With Lamb, Tomato and Pine Nuts Recipe

With its layers of golden eggplant, cinnamon-scented lamb, and sweet tomato sauce topped with melted cheese, this traditional Lebanese dish is made for celebratory meals and gatherings. Even better, it's just as good served warm or room temperature as it is hot from the oven.

Related articles

How To Promote Diversity And Inclusion During A Month Of Multicultural Holidays

Looking for foodie friends? Have fun finding and sharing food-related content on Noise.Cash. It's a global social community. The PLUS is that you can make friends and earn Bitcoin Cash$.

Food Blog Spotlight: Pork Lo Mein - Make Takeout at Home | The Desert Cook (Reblog)

Food blogger Candy Dorsey publishes her own blog and also food-related Wizzley pages (see widget below). Reblogging / sharing the link to her post about pork lo mein. It's a Chinese takeout dish for you to make at home.  Not only is the dish delicious and easy to make but did you know that for the Chinese people, noodles are a “symbol of longevity”?


Pork Lo Mein - Make Takeout at Home |
The Desert Cook

♦ ♦ ♦ 

For those who celebrate, Chinese New Year, Candy also has a recipe for Chinese New Year Balls, which I'm sharing as well.  The new year celebrations for 2020 have come and gone, but every year is a new year!  Chinese New Year for 2021 will be February 12.  Mark your calendars.

Always wishing you peace, prosperity, good health and a long and wonderful life!

Chinese New Year Balls

Chinese New Year Balls

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1/4 cup sugar 2 tsp. baking powder dash of salt Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl stir together all wet ingredients. Add to flour mixture all at once and stir just till moistened. Heat about 2" of cooking oil in a deep pot.

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Candy's Recipes on Wizzley!

Food Blog Spotlight: Home Cooking Presented by Hilda's Touch of Spice

Spotlight on another awesome food blog. This one has been save in my bookmarks for forever! It's called “Hilda'sTouch of Spice”. The blog is published by Hilda Mascarenhas. Her recipes include a wonderful sampling of European, Asian and American cuisines, and categories are for holidays, by countries, vegetarian versus non-vegetarian, desserts, side dishes, soups and salads, and more! The best way to describe her blog is using her own words:

"Mouth watering recipes & essential cooking advice, helping you to add the right Touch of Spice to make simple home cooking special!"

That's the description from her Facebook page.  In 2013 her page reached 1,000 Likes.  As of today (2016), it has over 5,000 Likes!  Isn't that marvelous?

Since it's the holiday season you're going to love this share. It's her Christmas Special menu, followed by a few more selected blog posts that I like. Enjoy!

Christmas Special Menu - Hilda's Touch Of Spice

(Click here to view all of Hilda's Christmas recipes.)

Christmas Special Menu

This year Christmas is going to be filled with traditional sweets at our home.

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Japanese Cheesecake

Japanese Cheesecake

Popularly known as "Japanese Cotton Cheesecake" due to its cotton texture this beautiful baked cheesecake is delicately soft. Very famous years ago on the net, you will find several recipes to this delicious cake.

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Steamed Momos

Steamed Momos

The weather in Pune is chilly & cold in the nights.

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Carrot Coconut Ladoos / Gajar Nariyal Ladoos

Carrot Coconut Ladoos / Gajar Nariyal Ladoos

Two of my eternal favorites... Carrots and Coconut. Just can't do without them! 🙂 They bind beautifully to form into gorgeous,sweet and yummy ladoos. A perfect ball of melt in the mouth goodness to satiate that sweet craving.

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Chicken Handi (Murg Handi)

Chicken Handi (Murg Handi)

Rustic and full of flavor this delectable Chicken/Murg Handi is so succulent. Like many who love this dish, we are no exception. There are many good restaurants in Pune who prepare this dish really well. Making an almost authentic, traditional Murg handi at home is an experience to be savored.

Other food bloggers highlighted by Food Ways:

• JovinaCooks Italian.
• CiaoFlorentina ~ Easy Italian Recipes
• Flaming Vegan

Foodie Friday : Chinese New Year Recipes and Dishes

The food-related topic of choice for this week's foodie Friday should be obvious.

Chinese New Year!

At our partner blog, My Blog Stop!, two posts were published discussing this wonderful holiday celebration with its traditions.

• MBS Post 1:  " ... Flowers are an important part of the decorations for the Chinese New Year celebration. ..." read more.

• MBS Post 2:  "... symbols of prosperity ... Tangerines and oranges to be specific.

"The bright orange color of the fruits also symbolizes 'gold'; hence it has an auspicious meaning to bring in good luck and wealth." ..." read more.

♦♦

People all around the world are celebrating. One of my favorite Asian TV chefs, Ching-He Huang, was a guest on the TODAY show and she briefly shared her good luck recipes to begin the new year. Her recipe for the main dish was Golden Chinese Five Spice Orange Roast Chicken. So many others are sharing their recipes and favorite dishes all around the web. There are so many to choose from. Clearly can't share them all, but hope to do like my selections. 

Happy New Year!!

10 Dishes To Celebrate Chinese New Year 2017: Year Of The Rooster

10 Dishes To Celebrate Chinese New Year 2017: Year Of The Rooster

Happy Spring Festival! Whether or not you have Chinese roots, more and more people the world over are celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year. Falling on Jan. 28 this year, traditionally, it is a time for families to get together and have an annual dinner, as well as sweep the house to make way for good [...]

TV chef Ching-He Huang's top tips for authentic cooking for Chinese New Year

TV chef Ching-He Huang's top tips for authentic cooking for Chinese New Year

It's Chinese New Year and millions of people around the world are getting ready to welcome in the Year of the Rooster. If you're one of them make and you're planning on celebrating, there's no doubt your favourite Chinese dishes will be making an appearance.

Chinese New Year Recipes | BBC The GoodFood

Planning your Chinese New Year feast? We've got some recipe suggestions - 42 to be exact... https://t.co/9h7mqLbfdt pic.twitter.com/EbW5G8TmWz

— BBC Good Food (@bbcgoodfood) January 27, 2017

Ginger Orange Pound Cake Recipe

Ginger Orange Pound Cake Recipe

There is one classic dessert my husband and I can't resist - nothing fancy or over the top, just the simple, sweet and soft yumminess of pound cake with a good cup of tea! Over the years I've experimented with many flavours in this simple recipe, from the good old plain vanilla to cardamom spiced and, of course, the chocolate version.

Nian Gao - Chinese Coconut Sticky Rice Cake - The Schizo Chef

Nian Gao - Chinese Coconut Sticky Rice Cake - The Schizo Chef

This week I am presenting some foods that are traditional for different global festivals. Chinese New Year is a holiday that is celebrated in many countries around the world, due to global Chinese migration. Almost every country in the world has a Chinese population and this is the most celebrated holiday that is always acknowledged ...

Traditional Chinese New Year recipes to cook at home

Traditional Chinese New Year recipes to cook at home

Shiitake chive dumplings by Jeremy Pang Want to have a go at making your own Chinese dim sum? Jeremy's recipe includes a useful guide to making these wonderfully crispy shiitake and chive dumplings, with tips on how to perfectly wrap and shape them.

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Yee Sang (Prosperity Toss Salad) | Malaysian Chinese Kitchen

Yee Sang (Prosperity Toss Salad) | Malaysian Chinese Kitchen

“... for the Chinese people, noodles are a “symbol of longevity”.

Happy New Year!!

Previous #FoodieFriday posts? Pesto Around the World  Experiencing the Joy of Salsa   Spice Spotlight: Cinnamon  It's Flipping Foodie Friday!  Raw Coconut Fig Slice (Reblog)  Winter Salad Binging  Banana Brownies - Back for Seconds  Cool Foodies and Food Lovers Celebrating Their “Firsts” on Twitter