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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | November 2016 | 37 By Micki Rosen, Four Seasons Beaumont Homeowner Did You Know? Did you know that Nov. 26 is Cake Day? The history of cake dates back to ancient times, and the first cakes are thought to have been made in Ancient Greece and Egypt. These first cakes were rather heavy and flat, and were eaten at the end of a meal with nuts and honey. Nowadays, this type of cake has evolved into baklava, a traditional Greek dessert. In later years, the ancient Romans also created their own version of this sweet treat, which was rather creamy and rich. However, like in many cultures around the world, this cake was often reserved for the gods and was offered to them at their temples as a sign of respect, love and reverence. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the English word "cake" back to the 13th century. During the Great Depression, it was necessary to provide easy, relatively cheap food to millions of Americans who were living in poverty, and the boxed cake mix was born. The idea turned out to be pure gold, as millions of housewives all over the United States took advantage of this way to make their lives easier. In celebration of that major pig-out known as Thanksgiving dinner, here is an all-food version of "Did You Know?" for your enjoyment: Did you know that Nov. 2 is Deviled Egg Day? There are many ways to prepare eggs, but one of the most delicious is to make them into deviled eggs. If you haven't ever tried them, now is the time! Start with a hard-boiled egg and slice it in half. Scoop out the yolk and mash it with mayonnaise and mustard. These are the two most standard ingredients for deviled eggs, but you can be as adventurous as you like. Many people add various seasonings such as cayenne or chipotle. When you're finished, fill the egg halves back up. When you eat deviled eggs, you are carrying on a culinary tradition that started with the Ancient Romans. The word "deviled" wasn't used until the 18th century, when it came to signify something spicy or zesty. Enjoy! Did you know that Nov. 6 is Nachos Day? Nachos originated in Piedras Negras, Mexico, just across the border from Texas. One day in 1943, when the wives of some American soldiers stationed nearby came into his restaurant, the maître d'hôtel, whose name was Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya, had to make them something to eat. The problem was that it was already a few minutes past closing time, so Ignacio really didn't have enough ingredients left over to make any real, full dish – all he had were a few tortillas, some shredded cheese and some pickled jalapeno peppers. So he cut up the tortillas into pieces, sprinkled what else he had over them, and baked them for a few minutes to melt the cheese before serving them. The women greatly enjoyed the snack, and when they asked Ignacio what it was called, he answered "Nacho's especiales." The word of this new hot snack traveled fast through Texas and the Southwest. Ignacio Anaya himself went on to work at the Moderno Restaurant in Piedras Negras, which still uses the original recipe to this day. Anaya's original Nachos recipe was printed in the 1954 St. Anne's Cookbook. A few years later, a modified version of the original dish, with cheese sauce and prepared tortilla chips, was marketed in 1976 by businessman Frank Liberto during various sporting events taking place in Arlington, Texas. This version became known as "ball park nachos." Did you know that Nov. 14 is Pickle Day? Pickles take their name from the Dutch word for brine. They began to be a popular food some 4,000 years ago when cucumbers were first imported from India, as they hadn't really existed in Europe or North Africa before then. Cleopatra is said to have attributed her looks and youth to the green treats. No matter whether you like Gherkin, Dill, Lime, Bread-and-Butter, Branston, Cornishon, Hungarian, Polish, Danish or Swedish pickles, made in either brine or vinegar, you'll be as cool as a cucumber if you munch on a pickle! There's even a dessert pickle called a Koolickle, which is a pickle that has been marinated in brine and Kool-aid!

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