Did you know today is National Macaroni and Cheese Day? To celebrate I thought I would share some fun facts about the All-American comfort food and have two link parties! One for our normal Crafty Weekends and one for your favorite mac and cheese recipes!
History & Fun Facts
- It is believed that mac and cheese originated in Italy. There was a recipe in an Italian cookbook from the late 13th century.
- American mac and cheese has two stories. One is that it originated as a casserole served as a New England church supper in Southeast Connecticut.
- The second origin is Thomas Jefferson brought a pasta machine back from Italy and his daughter, Mary Randolph, invented the dish with parmesan cheese which later was changed to cheddar cheese. A recipe appeared in her cookbook called The Virginia Housewife in 1824. (I also found these interesting recipes and info on Mary Randolph's recipe.
- Jefferson served a macaroni pie at a state dinner in 1802. This dinner was cooked with a recipe by James Hemings, one of Jefferson’s slaves (and brother to Sally Hemings, the slave with whom Jefferson had children) and cooked by Robert Hemings (another brother). James Hemings was freed in 1796 and died at the young age of 36. He is credited for introducing ice cream, French fries, macaroni and cheese, and whipped cream to America for the first time.
- The first modern macaroni and cheese recipe however appeared in an English cookbook in 1770. The cookbook was The Experienced English Housekeeper by Elizabeth Raffald. She used cheddar cheese in the recipe.
- Kraft Macaroni and Cheese hit the store shelves in 1937. In 1937 more than 8 million boxes were sold. It was said to be the housewife’s best friend. Today Kraft sells 1 million boxes a day!
- In Canada Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is called Kraft Dinner and is a favorite meal. Canadians purchase 12% off all the Kraft Mac and Cheese sold and eat it 55% more than Americans do. And apparently they began eating it with ketchup in the 1990s and still do today.
- Apparently the story of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is that a salesman saw a box of macaroni and grated cheese attached with a rubber band and had an aha moment and brought the idea back to Kraft.
- During WWII families could get 2 boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese for 1 food rationing stamp.
- In 1993 Crayola named one of its crayon colors, Macaroni and Cheese.
- Macaroni and cheese is the number one cheese recipe in the United States. And it has remained on the list of top comfort foods for Americans for decades.
- Around 12% of mac and cheese meals are eaten for breakfast and another 12% are eaten before breakfast.
- The largest pot of mac and cheese weighed 2,469 pounds.
- 53% of mac and cheese eating occasions involve Millennials whereas only 19% involve Baby Boomers.
- About 30% of mac and cheese eating occasions involve eating with family and another 12% involve eating with friends.
- “Homemade macaroni and cheese” is the 11th most viewed recipe of all time on Allrecipes.com.
- The biggest mac and cheese lovers in America live in Alabama, South Carolina and Wisconsin.
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| Source: Bodhi Peace [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons |
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| Source: I, BrokenSphere [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons |
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| Source: INFLATE AND POP! [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons |
Sources:
- Hartman Group. “Fun Facts About That All-American Classic Comfort Food: Macaroni & Cheese.” (2017 Jul 13) https://www.hartman-group.com/infographics/2084939218/fun-facts-about-that-all-american-classic-comfort-food-macaroni-cheese
- Live. Love. Annies. “Fun Mac and Cheese Facts.” https://liveloveannies.com/fun-mac-and-cheese-facts/
- mymacaroniandcheese.info. “15 Fun Facts about Macaroni and Cheese.” http://mymacaroniandcheese.info/15-fun-facts-about-macaroni-and-cheese
- Newell, Tessa. Tastemade. “8 Cheesy Throwback Facts About Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.” (2016 Mar 8) https://www.tastemade.com/articles/8-cheesy-throwback-facts-about-kraft-macaroni-and-cheese
- On the Menu @ Tangie’s Kitchen. “The Hidden History of Macaroni and Cheese.” https://qnholifield.com/culinary-history/the-hidden-history-of-macaroni-and-cheese/
- Pack, Rachael. The Daily Meal. “10 Things You Don’t Know About Macaroni and Cheese.” (2016 Jul 6) https://www.thedailymeal.com/cook/10-things-you-didn-t-know-about-macaroni-and-cheese-slideshow
- Wright, Clifford A., “Origins of Macaroni and Cheese.” http://www.cliffordawright.com/caw/food/entries/display.php/topic_id/16/id/105/
- Wikipedia Editors. Macaroni and Cheese. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaroni_and_cheese
I often put frozen mixed vegetables in with the macaroni and when I make my mac and cheese (homemade or package) and occasionally add some browned ground meat. How about you? Share your favorite mac and cheese recipe or variation.
It is time for our party!! It was a small party, so there are only a few!! Thank you to everyone who shared with us at our last party. Just a reminder that we do not feature any of the food/recipe posts and ask you not to share them here. There were some great ideas shared. Below are a few of the features from our last party, but be sure to go back and check out the many great crafts shared! Please remember Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop is a place to share all your diverse and cultural posts there. I can't wait to see what your latest creations are!!
Features
1) From The Style Safari: Plaid Exaggerated Ruffle 2 Piece Set
2) From Fivespot Green Living: Tea Tree Oil Ointment for Bug Bites
3) From Cards by Stacey: Beautiful Mermaid Card
4) From Celebrating Everyday Life: Mermaid Bag (with Cricut)
5) From White House Crafts: Summer Shapes Washi Tape Art
5) From White House Crafts: Summer Shapes Washi Tape Art
Thank you to everyone who shared the last week!! I hope you will share again!! If you are featured here, please feel free to grab a featured button to display proudly on your blog. I would love the help spreading the word about Crafty Weekends!!
