Veteran’s Day

Don’t miss Me and McKayla on The Rachael Ray Show TODAY, November 11th, for a Special Veterans Day Appearance.  Click here to find the time and channel in YOUR area.

The purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor all of America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  

Did you know?: 

-Veterans Day started as “Armistice Day” on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I.  And in 1926, Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. 

 -It occurs on 11/11 every year in the United States in honor of the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918 that signaled the end of World War I, known as Armistice Day. 

-In the late 1960’s, Congress passed a bill (Uniform Holidays Bill, intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays!) and actually moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October.  So 1971 – 1978 is the only time Veterans Day has NOT been on November 11th.  President Gerald Ford realized the importance of the historical significance of the date and moved it back to 11/11 – as it should be.

-It wasn’t until 1954, 67 years ago, that President Eisenhower changed the name from Armistice to Veterans Day.  It’s fitting because it’s a day to honor all Veterans, even though it began as Armistice Day (an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting for a certain time).

-Arlington National Cemetery holds an annual memorial service on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

-The men and women who serve and protect the United States in all branches of our Military come from all walks of life; they are parents, children, grandparents, neighbors and friends, and are an important part of their communities. 

-The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m (I’m not sure what happened to that part these days!).

-The purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor all of America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  Let me take this time to thank each and every Veteran for their service and sacrifice!

NOW FOR MY E.O.D INSIDERS, YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS  –  THANKFUL

RECIPE TIME!

This recipe for Spaghetti Carbonara is rumored to have its origins in Italy, but only because the U.S. troops that had just successfully freed the Nazi Occupation back during World War II, were the inspiration.  Isn’t that amazing if it’s true…that an Italian restaurant owner/chef thought to put traditional spaghetti pasta with two staples of American breakfast – bacon and eggs?  It was a hit from the first night and I’d like to share this recipe with you.  If you give it a try, please let me know how you did by clicking here.

It seems like one of those dinners with so few ingredients that how could you possibly mess it up, but oh how you can if you aren’t using with the right method.  This recipe works so well because the pasta is boiled in less water to really concentrate the starches, which helps bind everything in the sauce and prevent separation when you add it to the egg mixture.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or unsalted butter

1/2 pound thick cut bacon, diced

1-2 garlic cloves, minced, about 1 teaspoon (optional)

3-4 whole eggs

1 cup grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese

1 pound spaghetti (or bucatini or fettuccine)

Salt and black pepper to taste

Fresh parsley

How to cook:

Add bacon to a medium hot skillet and cook well.

Remove bacon from pan and reserve the drippings.

Saute garlic in that same skillet until golden brown, then add garlic to a separate bowl with 1 tablespoon bacon fat, eggs, one egg yolk, Parmesan and pepper. Mix well.

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti or linguine pasta until al dente. Once cooked, drain pasta and reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.

Slowly pour the hot cooking water into the egg mixture, mixing quickly so it cooks smooth without curdling. Then pour over the hot pasta and toss to coat. 

Add crumbled bacon.

Let pasta rest for a few minutes, tossing frequently until the carbonara sauce thickens. 

Serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh parsley!