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On June 25, 1987, President Ronald Reagan began a presidential Proclamation 5672 with the words: “more and more Americans are discovering a uniquely American food delicacy — farm-raised catfish.” In doing research to learn more about catfish in general, I learned that 95% of the nation’s catfish comes from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. At Kathey Jo’s Kitchen, we’re going to be enjoying this dish in different ways. A traditional preparation method is to coat it with cornmeal and fried, or blackened in a cast-iron skillet. How do you like your catfish? Let your friends at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen know in the comments.

Oven-Fried Catfish

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds catfish fillets
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoo...

I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but National Peanut Butter Cookie Day was on the 12^th.  I just found out myself! So, we’re making up for it at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen by celebrating a few days late. Today is not the best day to have a nut allergy, but for those of us who can partake, we should do so with gusto. The biggest promoter of peanuts in the United States was George Washington Carver. He first published a book with over 100 recipes using peanuts in 1918. Today at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen, we’ll be celebrating the cookie version. How do you like your peanut butter cookies? Let your friends know in the comments below!

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 ½ cups all-purpos...

On International Sushi Day, we’ll be eating sushi at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen, if you couldn’t already tell. You could take the easy route, and go to a Japanese restaurant that serves all-you-can-eat sushi. But for the particularly brave… how about trying to make sushi at home? It sounds intimidating but the great thing about it is that you’re allowed to make mistakes. Professional sushi chefs deserve all the respect in the world for doing what they do. But when you’re at home, you don’t have to have that pressure on you. We’ve never made sushi at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen, and today is as good a day as any to learn. How do you plan to enjoy sushi today?

Sushi at Home

Ingredients

• 6 sheets sushi seaweed / nori
• 1 batch prepared sushi rice
• ½ lb...

Who doesn’t love sweet corn on the cob? It originated in Mexico, and goes as far back as 9,000 BC. National Corn on the Cob Day is a reason to enjoy this tasty summertime treat. There’s so many ways that we’ve enjoyed it at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen, such as the old standard of boiled in a hot pot of water with salt and pepper. We’ve tried it steamed, and grilled. If you didn’t know, sweet corn loses its sweetness quickly, so it’s important to cook them immediately once you buy them from the store or your local farmer’s market. What’s your favorite seasoning for corn on the cob? Let your friends at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen know!

Boiled Corn on the Cob

Ingredients

• 6-8 ears of corn, husks and silks removed and cut in half (if desired)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 stick of butter

Directions

1. Fill ...

World Oceans Day was first introduced in 1992 to raise awareness of the crucial role the sea plays as sources of food, oxygen, and medicine. No matter where you live, you can participate, and we will at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen. There are tons of concerts, demonstrations, fossil hunting walks, and photo contests to show your support. Today – June 8^th –  was recognized by the United Nations in 2008. This year’s theme is encouraging solutions to plastic pollution, and preventing marine litter for a healthier ocean, and a better future. Kathey Jo’s Kitchen believes in sustainable seafood initiatives, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium has an invaluable resource called Seafood Watch. How will you support the day? Let us know!

Seared Scallops with Chorizo and Potatoes

Ingredients

• 1 pound red-sk...

National Chocolate Ice Cream Day is a great day to eat America’s favorite flavor of ice cream. It’s a big for ice cream makers, and it’s part and parcel of the experience here at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen. We don’t need any additional incentive to eat it, nor will we entertain any argument against eating it. With the arrival of the summer weather, cooling off with ice cream is a natural, time-honored solution. How do you enjoy a day themed after a great dessert? Eat it, of course! How many times you should eat it is entirely up to you. Here at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen, the bare minimum will be three.

Easy No-Cook Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup whole milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Whisk t...

With the summer growing season in full swing, we here at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen can’t think of a better time to enjoy the bountiful and yummy options that come with the start of summer. I challenge you to make half your meals either fruits or vegetables. You’ll see how quick and easy it’ll be to add them to your meal plans. In fact, apricots, blueberries, cantaloupe, carrots, celery, cherries, cucumbers, figs, green beans, honeydew, lemons, lettuce, nectarines, onions, oranges, peaches, peppers, plums, potatoes, raspberries, strawberries, summer squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, and watermelon are in season right now. Enjoy, and let your friends at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen know how you plan to incorporate more vegetables and fruit into your meals.

Blackberry-Cantaloupe Salad

Ingredients

• 2 c...

Hamburgers are America’s favorite sandwich. It’s one of ours here at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen, the perfect cheat day meal. What would Memorial Day, or Fourth of July be without them? So, it’s only fitting that we have a special day to celebrate this cherished beacon of Americana. The best way to cook a hamburger is on an outdoor grill. Don’t forget your French fries. Add your favorite fixings and condiments. Cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, bacon, mustard, ketchup, and relish. The possibilities are endless. What’s your favorite way to enjoy hamburgers? Let your friends at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen know in the comments!

Glazed Bacon-and-Cheese-Filled Burgers

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp. dark brown sugar
• 1½ tsp. paprika
• ½ tsp. garlic powder
• ½ tsp. ground cumin
• ¼ tsp...

Pick Strawberries Day is a sweet, tasty way to enjoy a late spring day. If your parents ever took you picking fresh strawberries, Kathey Jo’s Kitchen knows you have an irreplaceable childhood memory. It’s time to make new memories with your kids and grandkids. If you’ve never picked fresh strawberries, you’re missing out on the fun. If you don’t live anywhere near fresh strawberry fields – and believe me, I know how that is – then consider supporting the vendors at your local farmer’s market. Tell your friends here at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen what your favorite strawberry-centric dish is in the comments.

Summer Berry Tortilla Tart

Ingredients

• 2 flour tortillas (6″ or 8″)
• Softened butter, for brushing tortillas
• Sugar, for sprinkling
• ½ c. whole milk ricotta cheese
• Assorted ber...

Welcome to National Brown Bag It Day. It’s a fun, unofficial holiday that Kathey Jo’s Kitchen enjoys. The brown bag has been around for a long time. Nowadays, few people bring their lunch from home. Working moms didn’t have the time in the morning to pack a good lunch. Today is the perfect day to go “retro,” and brown bag your lunch. There are good reasons to brown bag it. First, it can save money over time. Second, homemade or foods packed from home always taste better. It’s the perfect day to go back in time and brown bag it. What’s your favorite lunch to pack? Tell us here at Kathey Jo’s Kitchen!

Picadillo-Style Chicken Taco Salad

Ingredients

• 12 ounces uncooked ground chicken
• 1/3 cup chopped onion (1 small)
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ½ teaspoo...