National Raspberries and Cream Day

August 7th in the United States is National Raspberries and Cream Day.

This is a rather simple dish, as it is made from only two ingredients, neither of which need cooking in order to be prepared. Raspberries are a type of fruit that is commonly in  season in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year, and one that is widely eaten, with the red Eurasian variety being one of the more popular, and well know, species.

Cream is the layer that is higher in butterfat that is skimmed from the top of milk - usually, cow's milk - before the milk is homogenized. There are different types of cream (with the definitions varying from country to country), so there is no need to stick to one particular type when preparing this dish; you can use anything from aerosol cream to clotted cream, a thick cream which is a speciality of Devon and Cornwall in the UK, with various types in-between.

For those that are lactose intolerant, there are various non-dairy substitutes that can be used. To serve, simply put the raspberries in a dish and pour, squirt or spoon the cream over. If you can find a pick-your-own raspberry farm, or grow your own at home, so much the better.

National Strawberries & Cream Day

May 21st is National Strawberries & Cream Day in the United States.

Strongly associated with the Wimbledon Championships, held later in the year, this is a traditional English dessert.

Strawberries are a type of fruit cultivated all over the world and can be eaten fresh, as in this case, as well as being used as an ingredient in prepared foods and in preserves and jams. A common commercial crop, they are a good source of vitamin C, and are a comparatively easy fruit to grow yourself, although the growing season will likely be limited.

The top layer of butterfat is skimmed from the top of milk (not non-dairy), which is the cream. This is then poured over the strawberries which, depending on their size, may be cut into smaller pieces - strawberries can be quite large, large enough that putting a whole one in your mouth could be a bit tricky.

National Whipped Cream Day

In the United States January 5th is National Whipped Cream Day.

Whipped cream is just as the name suggests - cream that has been whipped. The cream itself is the layer of higher-butterfat that is at the top of un-homogenized milk. When the milk is left standing, the cream will rise to the top, and can be skimmed off.

The cream itself is whipped until it is light and fluffy, and this can be done with a whisk, fork, hand or electric mixer. Whipping the cream adds air to it, creating the light and fluffy texture. Whipping cream dates back to at least the 16th century.

Whipped cream is a popular addition to cakes, desserts, pies, milkshakes, ice creams and puddings, as well as a topping on hot drinks such as hot chocolate or cocoa. Aerosol cream can be purchased as an easy to use substitute for whipping the cream by hand.