Today, September 17th, is Constitution Day. Our great nation's constitution was signed today over 220 years ago. So, let's celebrate this great moment in our history in some style.

To begin our celebrations of this great day, let's hear some powerful words from the official presidential proclamation of Constitution Day this year.

Today is a day for all Americans to come together and give honor to this influential piece of America's history is a great way to remind us why our country is so very great.

It is also important to remember why exactly the Constitution is such an crucial part of our history. Here is a little reminder of what exactly the constitution did.

Want to get the kids into Constitution day?

1. Play a game.

Scholastic Books has developed a game that makes it fun for the kids to learn more about the document that made this country what is it. Click right here for this Constitution Game.

2. Interview Ben Franklin.

This website connects your children to the man himself, Mister Ben Franklin. They are able to ask the Constitution Center's favorite employee a question and learn a little. Click here to start your interview with Franklin.

3. Eat like the founding fathers.

Make dinner tonight a learning experience with a couple of simple recipes. Your kids will love the idea that they are eating something close to what our founding fathers, and the writers of our nation's Constitution, ate.

Smokey Ham & Corn Chowder

Ingredients:

  • 4 ears of corn (cut kernels off and keep cobs reserved)
  • 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 1/2-pounds of ham diced
  • 2 cups of heavy cream
  • 1 pound of baking potatoes, peeled diced
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, scrape the corn cobs with the back of a knife to release juices. When finished, keep the cobs.

2. Heat the vegetable oil in a medium sized pot. Mix in your onion and cook until softened.

3. Add 3 cups of water, juices from the cobs, and cobs.

4. While cooking over slightly above "low" heat, remove cobs after approximately 6 minutes.

5. Stir in potatoes and cream.

6. Let simmer and cook until the potatoes are almost tender.

7. Mix in corn kernels and ham and cook until the corn and potatoes are tender.

8. Season to taste with pepper and salt.

9. Enjoy!

Cherry-Berry Pie

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups of frozen all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons of salt
  • 14 tablespoons of unsalted butter cubed (9 tablespoons frozen 5 tablespoons chilled)
  • 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar mixed with 6 tablespoons of ice water
  • 1 cup and 1 teaspoon sugar (more for sprinkling if desired)
  • 1/4 cup quick-cooking tapioca
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 cups of pitted sweet cherries
  • 3/4 pound of raspberries or 3 cups
  • 1/2 pound blueberries or 1 1/2 cups
  • 1 teaspoon of all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons of heavy cream

Directions:
1. Making the crust: In food processor, pulse together the flour and salt. Mix in chilled butter and pulse further until all is the size of small peas. Add your frozen butter and pulse returns to a small pea size. Slowly add vinegar mixture over the flour mix. Pulse again until dough starts to come together. Empty dough on a lightly floured surface and knead gently to form a more smooth dough. Cut dough into two and roll into 2 circles. Cover in plastic and refrigerate until firm but not hard. This might take up to two hours.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out refrigerated circles. Roll again until disk is 12-inch round, 1/8 inch thick. Place circle a 10-inch metal pie plate and freeze for 20 minutes.

3. Roll other refrigerated dough to be 1/8 inch thick. Place onto a baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes.

4. Making the Filling: Whisk 1 cup of sugar in a small bowl with your tapioca and salt. In separate bowl, mix cherries,raspberries, and blueberries. Sprinkle sugar on top of mixture and further mix.

5. Mix together flour and the rest of the teaspoon of sugar. Sprinkle in the crust; tap out the excess.

6. Using a spoon, add the berry filling into the crust.

7. Cut the left over dough into 3/4-inch-wide strips.

8. Place strips across the pie in a "lattice pattern". Remember to cut over hanging strips into 1/2 inch and press them to the crust. Pinch the rim between your fingers.

9. Freeze the pie for about an hour while preheating the oven to 400°.

10. Brush cream over the top and sprinkle with extra sugar if you desire.

11. Bake at the top of the oven for 1 hour, or until the crust is richly browned and the filling starts to bubble. You can also cover the pie with foil in the last ten minutes to insure a thorough bake.

12. Let cool in oven.

13. Enjoy!

I hope you all have a great Constitution day. May you remember what it took to make this country as great as it is while having some fun with the kids and, maybe, enjoying some pie!

 

 

 

 

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