Have a Happy National Catfish Month with Spicy Baked Catfish!

The secret to this dish is the tortilla crumb coating--it really makes it deliciously different!

Spicy Baked Catfish
by Judy

1 cup ground tortilla crumbs (you can buy them in a can or pulverize your own in a food processor)
2 teaspoons Slap Ya Mama Original Blend Cajun seasoning
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup milk
4 catfish fillets (about 5 to 6 ounces each)
1/2 stick butter (4 Tablespoons), melted

Have a Happy National Ice Cream Sandwich Day with Chewy Molasses-Spice Cookies & Pralines and Cream Ice Cream!

I asked Willie to tell me his ultimate ice cream sandwich. Ultimate! Right away he said make your molasses cookies and add pralines & cream ice cream.

Now right about the same time these ice cream sandwiches were being concocted, our daughter Lauren showed me a tricky way to make an ice cream sandwich and I loved it!

Click on this website to see it in action!

Have a Happy National Ice Cream Sandwich Day with Double Chocolate Chip Toffee Ice Cream Sandwiches!

Double Chocolate Chip Toffee Ice Cream Sandwiches

by Aimee
cookies adapted from this recipe at Real Simple 

For the cookies:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup toffee chips

Have a Happy National Peach Month with Spiced Peach Wontons!

Spiced Peach Wontons

by Rachael
adapted from this recipe at She Wears Many Hats

12 ounce pack of wonton wrappers

1 Tablespoon flour
1 1/2 Tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1 15-ounce can diced peaches, drained (or use frozen peaches, thawed and diced)

Canola or vegetable oil, for frying
Powdered sugar or honey (optional, for garnish)

Have a National Peach Month with Peach Kuchen!

A kuchen is a traditional German cake made of batter and fruit. It's extremely adaptable, and both fresh and dried fruit may be used. Naturally, for National Peach Month peaches would be the star. Any berries or stone fruit may be used as is. Apples, though, should be sliced and cooked until tender before they top the kuchen.

Have a Happy National Peach Month with Chunky Peach and Avocado Salsa!

Once upon a time, my cousins had a huge peach orchard in Mexia, Texas. They had a trailer that sat right in the middle of it. You could open a window and pick a peach. When I would go visit during the summer, there were always plenty of fresh peaches to eat. My cousin would also put up peach preserves that were to die for. Who wouldn't love biscuits with peach preserves for breakfast, fresh peaches for lunch, and hand churned peach ice cream for dinner? Peach heaven! While my cousins no longer have the peach orchard, I still love the beautiful Freestone peaches from that area.

Have a Happy National Cotton Candy Day with a Cotton Candy-tini!

I had a drink like this at a restaurant in Vegas a few years ago and thought it was the coolest thing! You can play around and mix different things for this drink, but the key is the cotton candy - that's the fun part!

Cotton Candy-tini
by Rachael

1 ounce X-rated Fusion Liqueur ("A sensuous fusion of ultra premium French vodka and Sicilian blood orange mingling with mango and passion fruits")
2 ounces Ivanabitch Whipped Cream Vodka
1 ounce cranberry juice
Small handful of cotton candy (flavor of your choice)

Have a Happy National Cotton Candy Day with a Cotton Candy Extravaganza!

I picked Cotton Candy Day because it sounded fun and challenging. At first, I was going to wow you with some extravagant cotton candy delights. Then after combing Pinterest, I realized it is just cotton candy, people! So, I decided to make it fun! Which is what cotton candy is all about!

You can find cotton candy in bags and buckets at stores and, if you are lucky, you can find the big poofs at a carnival. I didn't want to buy a cotton candy machine, so I started asking around if anyone had one. Turns out my teenage daughter's friend had one. So we decided to have a cotton candy party. I have two girls at home, and the girl with the cotton candy machine has two sisters, so we went for it!

Have a Happy National Raspberry Cake Day with Raspberry-Blackberry Swirl Meyer Lemon Angel Food Cake with Crème Fraîche!

I came across this recipe for raspberry angel cake a couple of years ago. I really like the combination of raspberries and blackberries, so I adapted the recipe to use both berries along with some Meyer lemon. I've also used tangerine juice and zest in place of the Meyer lemon. The raspberry and blackberry purees create the most beautiful bright pink and purple swirls throughout the cake. It's a must have for Memorial Day and Labor Day cookouts.

Have a Happy National Raspberry Cake Day with a Chocolate Raspberry Cake!

Chocolate Raspberry Cake
by Rachael

1 box Devil's food cake mix
1 pint raspberries
Semi-sweet chocolate bar (shaved or curled for garnish)

1 cup confectioner's sugar
1/4 cup cocoa

2 cups whipping cream

Have a Happy National Raspberry Cake Day with Chocolate Raspberry Upside-Down Cake!

This deep, rich cake has become my family’s favorite indulgence, not least because it comes out of the oven already frosted! It makes a 9-inch single layer cake that’s perfect for a small gathering (serves 6 to 8). You’ll want a rounded bottom (contour) cake pan for this cake – check your local baking supply store, or see this pan here. 

Have a Happy National Cheesecake Day with Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars!

Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars
by Rachael
adapted from a recipe on Cookies & Cups blog 

1 (17.5 ounce) package sugar cookie mix
1 (4 serving size) box French Vanilla instant pudding
2 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick)
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 whole eggs + 3 egg yolks
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup toffee bits (optional)

Have a Happy National Cheesecake Day with Banana Pudding Cheesecake!

When I was trying to figure out what kind of cheesecake to make for National Cheesecake Day, I was throwing all kinds of suggestions out to my co-workers. I got instant "no way's", "um, no", and even a couple of sideward glances that told me to keep looking. When I was going toward banana cream pie, I had a taker, but then I said banana pudding cheesecake. My friend (1st), boss (2nd), Debbie, said "I can taste that." So I decided that she needed to taste it. She will tell you she is on a diet (she doesn't need to be), but she is a trooper when it comes to my food. And I appreciate all the help she is to me. So, this is for Debbie!! Enjoy, my dear friend!

Have a Happy Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day with Spicy Focaccia with Gorgonzola and Roasted Red Pepper!

It’s a cool, rainy day here in central New York. I noticed that all of this rain we've had has certainly been good for our trees when I took Miss Ellie for a walk this morning. The leaves on our Japanese Maples are a deep crimson and reminded me of the puya chilies I've been working with. I thought I would use some of the puya chilies that the fine folks from Marx Foods sent me to make a spicy and rich focaccia to go with dinner tonight. I love cheese in breads - comfort food - and since I had some Gorgonzola and Parm in the fridge, they went into the bread. It’s a perfect way to take care of the nip that will be in the air this evening and satisfy this crazy need of mine to bake bread.

Have a Happy Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day with White Cheddar and Pork Sausage Fondue!

If you know the origin of National Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day, please let us know! In the meantime, we'll be sacrificing for you and eating lots of cheese! ~ 37 Cooks

Cheese fondue is wonderful at a party or dinner with your family. I have a fondue pot, but when we eat this for dinner it is just easier putting it in individual bowls and letting everyone do their thing!

Have a Happy National Coffee Milkshake Day with an Espresso Milkshake with Whipped Cream, Chocolate-Espresso Syrup and Pecans!

It's National Coffee Milkshake Day and a simple coffee milkshake is in order!

I decided to make some Jameson Irish Whiskey-Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate-Espresso Syrup as a special Father's Day treat for my sweet husband Carl, but any store bought ice cream, coffee flavored or vanilla, and chocolate syrup will do. I've included both recipes below should you choose to make your own.

Espresso Milkshake with Whipped Cream, Chocolate-Espresso Syrup and Pecans

by Lori

3 cups Jameson Irish Whiskey-Vanilla Ice Cream
3 shots espresso - I used Southern Pecan Flavored Blend coffee
3/4 cup 2% milk

8 ounces heavy cream for garnish (whip it good!)
Chocolate-Espresso Syrup (for garnish), recipe below
1/4 cup chopped pecans (for garnish)

Have a Happy National Hot Fudge Sundae Day with Kahlua Hot Fudge Sundae with Ferrero Rocher Chocolates!

The last time I tried to make homemade ice cream, there was rock salt, a hand-crank, and about 7 young cousins (myself included) hanging out in my grandmother's back yard. I remember fighting to see who got to sit on the tub of ice cream next and who got to crank it next. Of course, we were also fighting to see who "got" to cut the next part of her lawn with the man-powered grass cutter.  Yeah, we were a sharp bunch, weren't we?!? But those were good times, and I wouldn't trade the memories for anything.

Have a Happy National Tequila Day with Blackberry Margaritas!

To me, nothing says summer like an icy blackberry margarita!

Blackberry Margaritas 

by Judy

1 lime
kosher salt for rimming glasses
1/2 cup blackberries
4 ounces tequila
2 ounces triple sec
2 Tablespoons agave nectar
ice

Have a Happy National Tequila Day with Hornitos Fajitas!

Hornitos Fajitas
by Willie

2 Tablespoons Penzey's Fajita Seasoning
2 Tablespoons water
1 cup corn oil
juice of 1 lime
2 ounces Hornitos Tequila
1 pound skirt steak

Pico de Gallo (recipe below)

ripe avocado

flour tortillas

Have a Happy National Tequila Day with Jalapeno Margaritas!

Here is a refreshingly different drink that is certain to be a party-starter! The longer it sits, the spicier it gets, so drink up!

Jalapeno Margaritas
by Judy

hickory smoked salt for rimming glass (or alternately, chipotle salt)

lime wedges
ice cubes
4 ounces tequila
2 ounces triple sec

juice of 2 limes

2 Tablespoons agave nectar
1/3 to 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and sliced (be sure to wear plastic baggies on your hands or gloves when doing this!!!)