COLUMBUS DAY

Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century but did not become a federal holiday until the 1937. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage. Throughout its history, Columbus Day and the man who inspired it have generated controversy, and many alternatives to the holiday have appeared in recent years.

ORIGINS OF COLUMBUS DAY

A U.S. national holiday since 1937, Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. The Italian-born explorer had set sail two months earlier, backed by the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. He intended to chart a western sea route to China, India and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia; instead, he landed in the Bahamas, becoming the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings set up colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland during the 10th century.

Later that month, Columbus sighted Cuba and believed it was mainland China; in December the expedition found Hispaniola, which he though might be Japan. There, he established Spain’s first colony in the Americas with 39 of his men. In March 1493, the explorer returned to Spain in triumph, bearing gold, spices and “Indian” captives. He crossed the Atlantic several more times before his death in 1506; by his third journey, he realized that he hadn’t reached Asia but instead had stumbled upon a continent previously unknown to Europeans.

COLUMBUS DAY IN THE UNITED STATES

The first Columbus Day celebration took place in 1792, when New York’s Columbian Order–better known as Tammany Hall–held an event to commemorate the historic landing’s 300th anniversary. Taking pride in Columbus’ birthplace and faith, Italian and Catholic communities in various parts of the country began organizing annual religious ceremonies and parades in his honor. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation encouraging Americans to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage with patriotic festivities, writing, “On that day let the people, so far as possible, cease from toil and devote themselves to such exercises as may best express honor to the discoverer and their appreciation of the great achievements of the four completed centuries of American life.”

In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a national holiday, largely as a result of intense lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, an influential Catholic fraternal benefits organization. Originally observed every October 12, it was fixed to the second Monday in October in 1971.

COLUMBUS DAY TRADITIONS

In many parts of the United States, Columbus Day has evolved into a celebration of Italian-American heritage. Local groups host parades and street fairs featuring colorful costumes, music and Italian food. In cities and towns that use the day to honor indigenous peoples, activities include pow-wows, traditional dance and lessons about Native American culture.

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Jacques Pepin's Flatbread Recipe

I saw Chef Pepin make this on one of his shows, and thought, that is almost like the bread I used to make when I lived on the Beach in St. Augustine Florida and I had no yeast. I called it a cheat pizza dough, and I added tons of granulated garlic. Serves 6 1 1⁄2 cups/188g regular all purpose flour 1 cup/250ml water 1⁄4 teaspoon/2ml baking powder 1⁄4 teaspoon/2ml salt 2 tablespoons/30ml olive oil 2 tablespoons/30ml water Dump everything (except the 2 tablespoons water) into a bowl and "stir it into a gooey stuff" as Jacques says. The dough will indeed be very wet, gooey, sticky. Stir in any optional ingredients. Heat a non-stick 10" / 25.4 cm skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Pour about a tablespoon of olive oil into the pan and then pour in the dough. Spread into one flat layer with a spoon or spatula. (A little oil on the spoon or spatula helps keep the dough from sticking to it.) Add remaining water around the outside of the dough where it meets the pan; the o...

Vegan (Sweetened) Condensed Milk Recipe

What you will need: 3 cups/750ml soy, OR rice, Or other milk 1/2 cup/100g sugar (for more nutrients, use evaporated cane sugar) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract salt This is what you do: Mix your "milk" and sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium heat stirring constantly. You will stir until reduced by half. Remove from heat. Add your vanilla and a pinch of salt and mix well. Cool before using. private chefs and event catering Palm Beach + Boca Raton + Fort Lauderdale + Miami Beach info@yadachef.com | 954-367-YADA (9232) 561-285-7466 www.yadachef.com south florida catering and personal chefs

Google Used Artificial Intelligence to Create Two New Mashup Desserts Based on Baking Search Data

Meet the Cakie (half cake/half cookie) and the Breakie (half bread/half cookie). By Mike Pomranz January 15, 2021 Hollywood has taught us that artificial intelligence is primarily the pathway to deadly robot uprisings—and it may well be… We'll have to see how things play out. But while we wait, AI experts are finding other interesting ways to use the technology—whether it's developing new flavors or selling beer faster —and at Google, they recently revealed an application that only sounds dangerous to our waistlines… artificial intelligence-created desserts! CREDIT: ADOBE STOCK Inspired by the pandemic-spawned spike in searches for baking , the team at Google Cloud "decided to dive a little deeper into the trend and try to understand the science behind what makes cookies crunchy, cake spongy and bread fluffy," according to a post on their blog . Then, once armed with that machine learning knowledge, they attempted to mix these attributes into wh...

Blondie Brownie Recipe

Today is National Blonde Brownie Day. Fire up that stove! INGREDIENTS 2 1/4 cups/270g all-purpose/plain flour 2 1/2 teaspoons/12g baking powder 1/2 teaspoon/2g salt 1 3/4 cups/264g packed brown sugar 3/4 cup/170g (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened 3 large eggs 1 teaspoon/5ml vanilla extract 2 cups/340g (12-ounce package) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels PREHEAT oven to 350F/180C/Gas4 Grease 15 x 10 inch/38 x 25cm jelly-roll pan. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract; gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Spread into prepared pan. BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. private chefs and event catering Palm Beach + Boca Raton + Fort Lauderdale + Miami Beach info@yadachef.com | 954-367-YADA (9232) 561-285-7466 www.yadachef.com south florida catering and personal chefs

YaDa Chef's Elegant Entertaining Pot Pie

Have a fridge full of leftovers and you have a dinner party pop up or you want something “simple” and “homey” for a special occasion? How about a Pot Pie. No not those frozen things we’ve all eaten. Try this more elegant version using Pate a Choux for the top. We made some dropping them from a spoon for a rustic look. Feel free to pipe them for a more uniform appearance. You can make individual or “family style as pictured here. Serves 4-6 1 onion diced 2 medium carrots cut into 1 inch/2.5cm rounds 3 ribs celery cut into half moons 4 ounces/115g sliced baby bella mushrooms 1 bell pepper, diced 2 teaspoons/10ml YaDa Chef Maya Natural Sea Salt 1 teaspoon/5ml herbs de provence 1 teaspoon/5ml ground white pepper 2 tablespoons/30mls goose fat 3 tablespoons/45g, unsalted margarine or butter 1 bay leaf 10 juniper berries, crushed 1/2 cup/50g all purpose flour 1 cup/250ml dry white wine or sherry 1-1 1/2 quarts/1-1 1/2 litres hot stock or water 1/2 larg...

Lobster Newburg Recipe

2 cups/1lb/450g lobster meat 4 tablespoons/57g butter ¼ cup/60ml brandy 1 cup/250ml heavy cream 3 egg yolks salt/pepper to taste toast points or crostini Cut lobster meat into large pieces and sauté in butter for 5 minutes. Add brandy, pull off burner and blaze it. In a separate pan, blend the cream and egg yolks. Place the pan in the top part of a double boiler stir constantly until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Combine with the lobster and season with salt and pepper. Serve with toast points or Crostini. private chefs and event catering Palm Beach + Boca Raton + Fort Lauderdale + Miami Beach info@yadachef.com | 954-367-YADA (9232) 561-285-7466 www.yadachef.com south florida catering and personal chefs

Mustard Substitutions

Mustard Recipes, Substitutions, and Cooking Tips Mustard inhibits the growth of yeast BY PEGGY TROWBRIDGE FILIPPONE When the volume as well as the flavor of mustard is important to your recipe: Mix 1 Tablespoon dried mustard, 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon cold water, and 1 teaspoon sugar to equal 1 Tablespoon of prepared mustard. Let stand 15 minutes to develop flavor and heat before adding to recipe. Sugar can be omitted but the result will be much hotter. For additions to wet mixtures: 1 teaspoon dried mustard = 1 Tablespoon prepared mustard Mustard Cooking Tips and Hints • If your recipe calls for dark mustard seeds, you will be disappointed by substituting white ones. The flavor is truly that different, like night and day, and substitution is not recommended. When used whole in canning and preserving, the seeds do not impart a sharp mustard flavor, but add a nice, mild aroma. • In India, the seeds are often toasted until they split open muc...

Parmesan Crusted Beef Recipe

This is a great for dinner parties. Everything can be done in advance. Sear the meat, cook the sauce and spinach. Put everything on an oven safe serving plate or baking dish. The meat will finish cooking while everything else reheats. Serves 4 (4) 4oz/115g pieces beef tenderloin 1 egg, lightly beat ½ cup/118ml toasted GF breadcrumbs ½ cup/118ml vegan parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon/5ml olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced divided 4 whole fresh tomatoes, peeled seeded and chopped ½ teaspoon/2ml salt ¼ teaspoon/1ml black pepper 3 or 4 basil leaves, cut into thin strips ¼ cup/60ml white wine 2 tablespoon/30ml parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon/20ml butter 4 large handfuls of baby spinach 8 ounces/225g baby bella mushrooms, sliced Combine the egg, crumbs and cheese. Divide evenly pressing on the top of the tenderloin. In a large skillet over medium heat add 1 teaspoon/4ml oil, and sauté the beef 3 minutes on each one side. Turn and cook 2 - 3 minutes on the other for m...

Colors, Flavors, Sizes & Seasons of Onions

Onions vary in color, size, the time of year harvested, and flavor. These differences make onions very versatile. The Color of Onions Bulb onions can be yellow, red, or white. Approximately 87 percent of the crop is devoted to yellow onion production, with about eight percent red onions, and five percent white onions. Yellow Onions Yellow Onions are full-flavored and are a reliable standby for cooking almost anything. Yellow onions turn a rich, dark brown when cooked and give French Onion Soup its tangy sweet flavor. Red Onions Red Onions, with their wonderful color, are a good choice for lots of fresh uses or for grilling, charbroiling, and roasting. White Onions White Onions are often used in prepared salads, white sauces, and is the traditional onion for classic Mexican cuisine. They have a golden color and sweet flavor when sautéed. personal chefs and event catering Miami + Miami Beach + Fort Lauderdale + Palm Beach www.yadachef.com info@yadachef.c...

How to Make Tofu Taste Good

Your guide to never making bland tofu again. JOSLYN BLAIR Most proteins—like chicken, steak, and pork—are delicious even when they're seasoned simply with salt and pepper. Too bad you can't say the same about tofu. Sure, the soy protein is good for you, but often times it tastes that way: boringly bland. The good news is that you can turn it into a food you actually want to eat with these tips. JOSLYN BLAIR You've gotta drain it. Most tofu comes packed in water, so the number one thing you always need to do is drain the block as much as possible. A water-logged block of tofu won't absorb a marinade or get crispy in a frying pan. To drain it, slice the block and place the slices in a single layer on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Top tofu with more paper towels and then a heavy object (a cast-iron skillet, cookbooks). Let sit at least one hour, preferably two. (Tip: If you know you want tofu for dinner, let it drain in the fridge ...

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