Saturday, August 4, 2012

My Summer Blog Series - "CELEBRATE IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST - National Mustard Day"



"SUMMERTIME SERIES"


CELEBRATE IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST - National Mustard Day

We are now in the month of August and I'm sure many parents are celebrating the fact that their kids will soon be heading back to school! That's definitely a notable celebration as the summer months can be fun, but also exhausting and expensive simply trying to keep the kiddos entertained! However, I found that sending your kids back to school is not the only reason to celebrate this month. There are also a number of National Holidays during the month of August you can get excited about.

I found some of these Holidays to be somewhat quirky and off-beat, I couldn't help but highlight them throughout this month just for fun!

Here is a glimpse at what I will be highlighting this month:

Aug. 4th - National Mustard Day
Aug. 5th - International Friendship Day
Aug. 10th - National S'mores Day
Aug. 13th - International Left Handers Day
Aug. 16th - National Tell a Joke Day
Aug. 19th - National Aviation Day
Aug. 26th - National Dog Day


August 4th - National Mustard Day

Did you know...?

SPICY:● Dijon – is made with mustard seeds, white wine, herbs and spices and can be used to dress up pork chops, beef skewers and chicken, also as a coating for fish or in salad dressings. Dijon harmonizes with light and elegant wines such as Riesling, Beaujolais or Cabernet Franc.

● Country Dijon – delivers a rich and robust flavor! Coarse ground mustard seeds balance the blend of cinnamon, cloves and white wine in Country Dijon. Serve with crab cakes, or in pasta salads, shrimp sauté, or cream soups. Pair with a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir which enhance the flavor of the spices.

● Harvest Coarse Ground – made with whole mustard seeds that gives this variety a rich texture and taste and adds a visually appealing accent to dishes. This mustard best accompanies heartier dishes like T-bone steaks, grilled pork tenderloin or scalloped potatoes. Try with full-bodied red wines such as Syrah or Cabernet blends.


SPICY & SAVORY:
● Hearty Spicy Brown – its bold taste comes from finely diced yellow onion and hints of brown sugar. Use with corned beef, sausages, or add to cole slaw or seasonal vegetables. This mustard pairs best with Sauvignon Blanc and firm, medium reds such as Malbec.


SAVORY & SWEET: 
● Savory Honey – hint of rich honey and subtle spice with influences of coriander, paprika and turmeric round out this mustard. This mustard is delicious on salmon fillets, ham, grilled chicken or in hearty baked beans. Serve with Pinot Grigio or spicy red wines such as Zinfandel.

● Mild & Creamy – a blend of Dijon mustard and mayonnaise, it has a delicate taste and texture and delivers a rich smooth flavor. This variety is a great match with simple foods such as deli sandwiches and wraps, as well as risotto. Enjoy with Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.

--The above (and chart below) are compliments of Grey Poupon Mustard.



Who'd of thought that mustard and pairing mustard with food could be just as sophisticated as wine! Since today is National Mustard Day, why not go out and celebrate by indulging with a little bit of mustard!

Since I already have salmon fillets defrosted, I found a recipe I think I will try out tonight in honor of National Mustard Day. Here is the recipe to also get you inspired! Martha Stewart's 'Mustard Glazed Salmon.'

Mustard Glazed Salmon

Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper
  • 4 pieces salmon fillet (6 ounces each), with skin
  • Chopped fresh dill (optional)

 

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
  2. Put salmon, skin side down, in a baking dish, and spoon mustard glaze over each piece of fish. Bake until salmon is just cooked through and no longer red, 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped dill, if desired, and serve.



God Bless!
T Denise Clary


So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.
Ecclesiastes 3:12 (NLT)