Welcome back to our series sharing Food Holidays: June 25th, 2021. Take a look at this morning’s holidays and let me know which one you most would like to celebrate and why.
For me I wouldn’t want to try either dish but if I could and I knew how I would make Catfish for David and my sister. Then later in the evening I would make David a Strawberry Parfait which I know he would love. How about you?
National Strawberry Parfait Day
Strawberry Parfait Day, is dedicated to that delicious treat that is so welcome during the hot Summer months, and craved even in the face of the biting cold of winter by the true connoisseur.
The exotic sounding name brings to mind the quaint little street-side cafes of Paris, where the treat so many of us are familiar with found its origin . It’s name describes the treat to a tee, Parfait means, simply, “Perfect”.
But a perfect what? The word Parfait has actually been used to describe quite a number of different things, and not all of them are delicious layered deserts.
In the UK, the word is actually used to describe a smooth Meat paste, also known as a Pate, that is traditionally made from the Liver of a Chicken or Duck, mixed with a strong Liquer of one form or another. This just sounds horrible to me. How about you?
This is certainly not what Strawberry Parfait Day is about! Our Parfait are popularized by Ice Cream Shops all over the world, especially those served in layers of delectable Ice-Creams and Gelatins with drool worthy Fruit toppings.
Such was the dedication to making this the perfect treat, that special glasses were designed solely for the purpose of showing off the artistically layered designs made during the treats creation.
Parfaits can include any combination of ingredients, from Creams and Fruits, Nuts, Liquor, Gelatin or Granola. They’ve crossed the line from being merely a dessert food, to being deemed appropriate for any time of day, with just a twist on exactly what’s included.
What of the Strawberry I hear you say? I do distinctly remember hearing something about Strawberries that were intended to go with this Parfait. Right you are!
The Strawberry as we know it today, that delicious, fragrant red fruit with the jaunty green cap, was first developed in Brittany, France, during the 1750’s.
It might be thought that the French were dedicating their time solely to the perfection of this divine treat! Prior to this the Fruit had a long and respectable History throughout the world, but it was in France that it became… a Parfait!
How can these two things be combined to create the perfect Parfait? Depending on whether you desire it to be part of your breakfast selection, or a dessert to cap off the day, a Strawberry Parfait can be created in a number of delicious and enticing ways.
We’ll start with the best of breakfast treats, a Parfait assembled using Yogurt, Granola, and of course the bright red treat is the Strawberry! Obviously in order to put this treat together you’re going to need Yogurt, but not just any Yogurt will do!
Remember, this is supposed to be the ‘perfect’ breakfast treat. When selecting a Yogurt for a breakfast Parfait, stick to the thicker bodied Yogurts, like Greek Yogurt.
While still being healthy these Yogurts stay truer to the spirit of the Parfait by being smooth and luxurious. Combine this with an Almond Vanilla Granola mixture, and a handful of sliced Strawberries.
If you’re feeling particularly decadent, take the Strawberries and coat them with Sugar in a bowl. Left for a few minutes, they’ll develop their own delicious sauce.
Then you need merely create layers of these ingredients, preferably in a clear container! Voila! One delicious breakfast Strawberry Parfait!
But dessert is truly where this treat comes into it’s own, the Strawberry Parfait is meant to be a rich, and our next combination will make sure it’s just that. When designing the perfect dessert Parfait, it needs to start with a Parfait glass.
This dish starts with a Vanilla Pound Cake, cut into small cubes. You place a layer of these at the bottom of a Parfait glass, and then top it with a layer of rich Vanilla Custard, using the Sugar recipe from above, you make Strawberries in a natural glaze, and layer those on top of the Custard, and repeat until the glass is full.There is your Strawberry Parfait.
When celebrating Strawberry Parfait Day, these are just a couple of the Strawberry recipes you can use to truly ring dessert in in style! Share the recipes with your co-workers and friends, and maybe host a special dessert party to put this treat into the spotlight it richly deserves!
Facts about Strawberries :
- Strawberries are one of the only Fruits with Seeds on the outside.
- The average Strawberry has 200 seeds.
- The ancient Romans believed that Strawberries alleviated symptoms of melancholy, fainting, all inflammations, fevers, throat infections, kidney stones, bad breath, attacks of Gout, and diseases of the blood, liver and spleen.
- To symbolize perfection medieval stone masons carved Strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in Churches and Cathedrals.
- In parts of Bavaria, Country folks still practice the annual rite each Spring of tying small baskets of wild Strawberries to the horns of their Cattle as an offering to Elves. They believe that the Elves, are passionately fond of Strawberries, and they will help to produce healthy Calves and an abundance of M ilk in return.
Recipe Strawberry Parfaits
- 4 cups sliced strawberries, divided
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
- ½ cup (4 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup amaretti cookie crumbs (about 8 cookies)
- ½ cup frozen reduced-calorie whipped topping, thawed
- 2 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted
Step 1
Place 2 cups of strawberry slices and granulated sugar in a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Set strawberry puree aside.
Step 2
Combine ricotta and next 4 ingredients (ricotta through vanilla) in a medium bowl; stir well with a whisk. Spoon 2 tablespoons cookie crumbs into each of 4 parfait glasses. Top each portion with 2 tablespoons strawberry puree, 1/4 cup strawberry slices, and 3 tablespoons ricotta mixture; repeat the layers. Drizzle the remaining strawberry puree over each serving. Chill for 2 hours. Top each parfait with 2 tablespoons whipped topping and 1 1/2 teaspoons almonds.
Catfish are Fish from a number of species that usually feature Whisker-like barbels near the mouth. Catfish are typically bottom-feeders in freshwater (although they can be trained to eat from the surface when farmed), and many species are farmed or fished for food.
Who would have known that there would actually be an entire day devoted to celebrating these Fish with whiskers? Now is the time to not only celebrate Catfish Day but also to tell a friend about it.
History of Catfish Day
Catfish Day is a day that dates back a few decades to June 25, 1987. This was when US President Ronald Reagan notably opened a presidential address by speaking about the culinary pleasures of eating Catfish and farmed Catfish in particular.
Although this probably feels like a really strange topic for a presidential speech, there was a purpose to it. The American President then went on to explain how Catfish farming was able to create both a stable income for Catfish farmers as well as an affordable and healthy food source for the American people.
Catfish Day is now traditionally celebrated on the anniversary of President Reagan’s address and it is observed primarily in the United States, by preparing and eating Catfish, as well as with a few Catfish festivals that are hosted in Cities at different times of the year.
Although Catfish is a popular dish in many regions, it is extremely popular as a breaded and fried dish in the Southern parts of the US, where Catfish popularity indirectly led to the creation of the Holiday.
How to Celebrate Catfish Day
Join in on the fun activities of Catfish Day by celebrating this creature in a variety of ways. Here is a few ideas you can use to celebrate the Holiday or come up with creative ideas of your own:
Put Catfish on the Menu at Home
Making Catfish at home can be simple. Many people like to Grill or fry Catfish with a simple breading made of flour or cornmeal. But catfish doesn’t have to be boring! Try out these unique ideas for an adventurous culinary experience surrounding this fish:
- Pretzel Crusted Catfish. The pretzels in the breading bring out a unique, salty flavor that works well with the white fish.
- Blackened Catfish with Mango Avocado Salsa. A healthier way to cook catfish, instead of frying it in oil, is blackening it on the grill. Serve it with a healthy fruit salsa that brings out the natural tastiness.
- BLT Catfish Sandwiches. Catfish can have a whole new lease on life when added to a traditional bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. Serve with mayonnaise or sweet chili sauce for an extra zing.
- Cajun Baked Catfish. Another healthier alternative to frying is baking catfish. And adding cajun-type spices to a cornmeal breading is simply to die for.
Lets go on a Road Trip for the perfect Catfish Dinner
To find the best that Catfish has to offer, it might be necessary to take a trip to the Southern parts of the United States, where Catfish hails from. The Fish is likely to be fresher and the chefs are likely to be more adept at cooking this Southern specialty. Give these southern restaurants a try in celebration of Catfish Day:
- Jerry’s Catfish House, Florence, MS.
- Johnny’s Catfish & Seafood, Shreveport, LA.
- Paramore Too Restaurant, Blountstown, FL.
- Catfish Kitchen, Benton, KY.
Join in on a Catfish Day Festival
Several American cities now have festivals known as “Catfish Days” in late July, featuring sporting events, fairs, parades, fun runs, beauty pageants and family-friendly activities.
The “World Catfish Festival” is held in Belzoni, Mississippi, which boasts a 65-mile radius where around 60% of America’s farm-raised Catfish are grown.
They’ve been holding the Catfish festival here annually since at least 1975. A least ten years before President Reagan and Congress made Catfish Day official–so Belzoni was certainly ahead of the game.
Kingsland, Georgia, another Southern town has been hosting its annual outdoor festival since 1983 (often happening later in the year). Arts, crafts, live music, food vendors, a beauty pageant, a 5K fun run and more can all be participated in for this Catfish Festival. Of course, one of the most important events is a Catfish Cookoff!
Catfish Days celebration can be found in Wilmington, Illinois. Even though it’s located in the Northern parts of the US, this farming community just Southwest of Chicago has been called “Catfish Town”.
Hailing back to 1976, Catfish Days was held for a decade, stopped for about 15 years, and has been back ever since. Try out a Catfish dinner, enjoy live music, play volleyball, visit the flea market or join in on other local activities.
Learn a Bit About Catfish
Many people aren’t really aware of much about this ray-finned Fish, like the fact that their name comes from the barbels prominent on the sides of their faces whch resemble the whiskers on a Cat.
Other interesting facts about this Nocturnal Fish include:
- At least 2900 different species of Catfish can be found in Rivers or Coastal Waters on all of the Continents on the planet except for Antarctica.
- Depending on species and location, a Catfish in the wild could live up to 60 years. Quite a lifespan for a Fish!
- Catfish are prolific breeders and in fact, a single Catfish can lay up to 4000 eggs per pound of its body weight each year.
- Catfish are the 5th most popular Fish to be eaten in the United States, and they’re farmed in freshwater ponds that are only between four and six feet in depth.
Laugh Out Loud Catfish Jokes
“Have you ever seen a Cat-Fish? No. I didn’t realize they could bait a hook!”
Put a smile on someone’s face and share these silly Catfish jokes with friends, family or coworkers to get into the spirit of Catfish Day:
- What do you call a Catfish that doesn’t want to take the bait? Standoff-fish.
- What’s the best way to communicate with a Catfish? Drop it a line.
- What kind of Fish chase Mice? Catfish, of course.
- What did the catfish say when he posted bail? I’m off the hook!
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
