(via The Famous Chicago Rat Hole - Neatorama)
Winslow Dumaine, a comedian, writer, and artist in Chicago, tweeted that he recently made a pilgrimage to the famous Chicago Rat Hole.
This is one of the Windy City's most famous tourist attractions, second only to the Art Institute of Chicago for drawing crowds.
The origins of Chicago Rat Hole are shrouded in mystery. Legend holds that while the concrete for this sidewalk at 1918 West Roscoe Street was being poured, a rat fell in, forever marking the sidewalk with an imprint of its own body. Other Chicagoans contend that it was a squirrel, not a rat.
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National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
Try making your own blueberry cheesecake, or visit a bakery or restaurant to enjoy this cheesy, sweet, tangy graham cracker-crusted treat.
There isn’t much in life that people love more than the rich, tangy flavor of an indulgent cheesecake. Life can be so much sweeter when everyone has the opportunity to be introduced to blueberry cheesecake!
A crumbly graham cracker or cookie crust with a rich cheesy base is topped with a blueberry syrup and then capped with fresh blueberries. This might just be the only thing that could possibly be better than the New York original!
National Blueberry Cheesecake Day was established to ensure that people everywhere know how incredible this dessert is and are given the permission they need in order to celebrate appropriately.
This holiday is a great chance for anyone and everyone to try it for themselves and pass the message on to friends and family!
History Of National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
The origins of the cheesecake can be traced back as far as Ancient Greece, when the first recipes for this cake were put into writing. In the centuries that followed, the dessert would undergo countless changes until it developed into what we know (and love) it to be today.
As different countries embraced this dish, and differing ingredients were more easily available, regional varieties came to be. Different combinations of cheese would often be used depending on the particular location, but the love of the cheesecake itself was certainly universal!
When it comes to cheesecake, cream cheese is the favored primary ingredient in America, while Italian recipes seem to prefer ricotta as a base. In addition, there is a special kind of curd cheese known as “quark” that is used in cheesecakes throughout Poland and Germany.
As these recipes came to be localized, new innovations were being made by the bakers who developed them. One of these new ideas included the addition of fruit to the cheesecake, and the best of all (of course!) was the enticing and delicious blueberry!
Of course, blueberries are delicious in their own right. Native to North America, blueberries were originally called “star berries” by the Native Americans who inhabited the lands prior to the Europeans. Blueberries are an extremely healthy fruit that is called a “superfood”, due to its high concentration of vitamins and antioxidants. Adding these yummy berries to the top of a cheesecake probably doesn’t make them healthier, but it certainly makes them tasty!
In addition to the standard options, there are a number of variations of blueberry cheesecake–as if the original wasn’t good enough! Some of the interesting variations include chocolate blueberry cheesecakes, blueberry mint cheesecakes and even blueberry cheesecakes made with kombucha!
The inventiveness of the cheesecake lover seems to know no limits, which is certainly a benefit to those who are eating it. National Blueberry Cheesecake Day is the perfect opportunity to explore them all!
How to Celebrate National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
For people who love all things related to cheesecake and blueberries, this is going to be an absolute favorite holiday to celebrate, whether on their own or with family and friends! Eating a piece of traditional blueberry cheesecake is only just the beginning.
Try celebrating National Blueberry Cheesecake Day in one of these ways, or come up with other ideas:
Try Making a Blueberry Cheesecake
While traditional, baked cheesecakes come with their own set of challenges in making them, very many shortcut recipes are now available online–and a variety of them do not even require use of the oven!
For an easy no-bake blueberry cheesecake, mix crushed graham crackers or butter cookies with melted butter and sugar to create a crust. Press into a pie pan or cake pan. Then beat milk, powdered sugar, vanilla and cream cheese to create the filling. Add a bit of lemon juice as desired. Spread on top of the graham cracker crust and then top with premade, canned blueberry pie filling. Refrigerate and enjoy!
Host a Blueberry Cheesecake Event
By gathering together a large group of friends, anyone can enjoy a full range of blueberry cheesecakes. Encourage guests to bake and bring their own variety.
Don’t forget that different varieties of the blueberry bush are available too! It would be possible to try it with the rabbiteye blueberry, or the northern highbush blueberry. Each of these varieties brings their own flavor to the table, creating a unique twist on a basic blueberry cheesecake.
Turn it into a charity event by holding a tasting contest and then auctioning off or selling individual pieces of the blueberry cheesecakes to the crowd.
Try a New Variety of Blueberry Cheesecake
Don’t let National Blueberry Cheesecake Day pass by without sampling all the amazing varieties of this cake that the world has to offer. Most people will be delighted and amazed at just how many ways it can be prepared and enjoyed!
Consider these ideas for a new take on this favorite classic dessert:
Add to the fun by using lemon zest and lemon juice in the recipe to give a little pop of tangy flavor.
For a truly Italian flare, add a little bit of honey to the graham cracker crust and then pile fresh mint and fresh blueberries on top of the cheesecake.
Instead of an actual cheesecake, try blueberry cheesecake muffins! Simply make a normal blueberry muffin recipe, but add a dollop of sweetened cream cheese in the middle and then bake. It’s a delicious way to enjoy a variation of blueberry cheesecake without even needing a fork!
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Heaven of Chhattisgarh
Mainpat, a small village in Chhattisgarh, is blessed by nature with immense beauty, lush green fields, beautiful waterfalls, and natural wonders. Mainpat is on the Vindhya range in Surguja district, whose height is about three and a half thousand feet above sea level. There are many tourist places here that attract tourists, as well as Shimla of Chhattisgarh because of the low temperature and snowfall in winter. There are many places to visit in Mainpat as mentioned below.
Tiger Point Mainpat
Tiger Point is the center of the main attraction of Mainpat, where monkeys jump and Kal Kal Karta waterfall creates a beautiful view. According to the local people, many years ago tigers of the jungle were seen in this area, due to which it got the name Tiger Point. The Mahadev Muda River forms the waterfall at Tiger Point, which falls from a height of about 60 meters.
Jaljali Point Mainpat
This is such a center of attraction of Mainpat where everyone is forced to jump like a kid because here the ground shakes without an earthquake, yes you read it right here if you jump on the ground then the ground shakes. If you come to Mainpat, do not forget to see the mysticism of this nature.
Ultapani
Mainpat's Ultapani has come into existence recently and the tourists get quite surprised after coming here because here the flow of water is towards the height, as well as the neutral vehicle parked on the road here goes towards the hill. Due to the flow of water here in the opposite direction, this place has been named Ultapani.
Jalpari Point
After visiting here, you will be fascinated by seeing this waterfall, it is the most beautiful waterfall in Mainpat, and there is a legend among the local people that the first Jalpari used to appear here, which is why it was named Jalpari. It is situated about 17 km from the village between the hills, there is a waterfall on the fish river which falls from a height of about 4 meters creating a beautiful view.
If you come to see this beautiful waterfall of Mainpat, then come with a tourist guide because this waterfall is in the midst of dense forests and you will have to walk on foot to reach Jalpari Point. Jalpari Fish Point is a better place for picnics, due to which tourists come on many occasions and enjoy the panoramic view.
The journey of Mainpat is full of adventure. If you are planning to visit Mainpat, then you can come in any month of the year, but you should keep in mind that the beauty of Mainpat is at its peak, in rainy and cold weather. If you want to enjoy the plains of Mainpat, then you must go during the rainy or winter season.
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