Your grandmother's house in mid-fall. The air outside is crisp, eve though the sun is shining. Leaves swirl all around you in streaks of yellow, red and brown. And then a delightfully sweet, buttery scent reaches your nostrils and you hear your grandmother's voice, "Pie's ready! Come and get it!
Aaah, pecan pie. A favorite not only in the United States but the world over, pecan pie is considered a staple of traditional Southern U.S. cuisine. So why not celebrate this delicious dessert on its very own day by making a pecan pie of your own? You've got to admit that sounds pretty delicious.
The History of Pecan Pie Day
There
are various ideas about the origins of pecan pie. There are those who
state that the French first made it soon after settling in New Orleans
in the 1700s and being introduced to the pecan by the Native Americans
of the area. Other claim pecan pie was first made in the early 1800s in
Alabama; however, no recipes or other culinary literature has been found
that would support either of those claims. The first actual pecan pie
recipe was written in 1886. Originally, pecans were mized with custard,
boiled, and then poured into a crust and baked. The makers of Karo syrup
also contributed significantly to the popularization of pecan pie, as
their product was often used instead of the more expensive honey or
maple syrup. Pecan pie has been mentioned numerous times in American
literature and television and has even become a literary symbol of the
Southern States, as can be observed in the Zac Brown Band's lyric:
"Beneath the shade of a Georgia pine
And that's home you know
Sweet tea, pecan pie and homemade wine
Where the peaches grow.
Today, pecan pie is most often eaten on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
How to Celebrate Pecan Pie Day
The answer is easy, make your own pecan pie! Even if you don't have too much culinary experience, don't worry! Pies are relatively easy to make and plus, this recipe calls for a frozen crust, saving you the Pecans can be expensive in some parts of the world, so you could use walnuts instead if you like, which will also make a very tasty pie. Still, if you want to really taste this traditional Southern dessert and celebrate this day to the fullest extent, pecans are the best bet.
Simple Pecan Pie
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups pecan pieces
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup light or dark corn syrup (or honey or maple syrup if you prefer)
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (9-inch) deep-dish frozen unbaked pie shell
Preparation:
1. Spread pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes or until just toasted.
2. Put the eggs, sugar, syrup/honey, butter, vanilla extract and salt in a large bowl and mix them all together. Then, stir in the toasted pecans and combine well.
3. Pour the filling into pie shell.
4. Bake at 350 for 55 minutes or until set. It's probably a good idea to shield your pie with aluminum foil after 20 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning, or even the nuts getting a bit burnt and losing some of their flavor. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream, if desired.
National Different Colored Eyes Day is observed annually on July 12th. There are many people out there that have two different colored eyes, and this is their day to celebrate!
Having two different colored eyes is a condition called Heterochromia. There are three types of Heterochromia:
The concentration and distribution of melanin are what determines the eye color, specifically the color of the irises. The affected eye may be hyperpigmented (hyperchromic) or hypopigmented (hypochromic). The excess of melanin indicates hyperplasia of the iris tissues, whereas a lack of melanin indicate hypoplasia.
Most cases of heterochromia are hereditary, caused by a disease or syndrome or due to an injury. It is possible that just one eye may change color following certain diseases or injuries.
A few celebrities are known to have two different colored eyes include David Bowie, Christopher Walken, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Seymour and Mila Kunis.
Do you remember Etch a Sketch? If you spent many happy hours drawing pictures on the screen then magically removing them using the plastic slider, you'll relish the opportunity to relive your childhood on Etch a Sketch Day. The Etch a Sketch toys are still readily available, so it's a chance to invest in one and get sketching. If you prefer, taking time to do any sort of drawing or painting will be a good way of marking Etch a Sketch Day.
This day is all about creativity, so undertaking anything which involves a pencil, pen or brush is appropriate. Why not have an Etch a Sketch competition with friends or colleagues, or give everyone a thirty-second limit to produce a work of art? With so many choices for having fun whilst also creating something original and wonderful, it's no wonder that Etch a Sketch Day is so widely celebrated.
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