Mixed Seafood Risotto and a #FeastoftheSevenFishes Menu

I don't remember exactly when I first read about the Feast of the Seven Fishes, but this Christmas Eve tradition with roots in Southern Italy has been on my mind for a few years now. Served in Italian households on Christmas Eve (or La Vigilia), the meal typically consists of seven seafood dishes. Although nothing I've read has given the exact reason for there being seven dishes, it is said to stem from the seven being the most repeated number in the Bible, appearing over 700 times.

Other theories are that it represents the seventh day (when God rested), that the number represents the seven hills of Rome, or the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic church. But then, there are also families who tend to serve upwards of twelve or thirteen dishes or courses, which could represent the twelve apostles (or the twelve apostles plus Jesus).

The History of (and 18 Variations on) the Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Did you know that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the classic Green Bean Casserole? It was originally developed in 1955 in the Campell's Kitchens by Dorcas Reilly and a team of home economists as an "easy recipe featuring a few simple ingredients", and known as Green Bean Bake. Apparently it caught on, because today, over 20 million households make green bean casserole and Campbell's receives over 10,000 requests for the recipe every year.

Given that fact, it probably doesn't come as much of a surprise to hear that 25-30% of all Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup is sold in the month of November. Last year, the green bean casserole page on the Campell's website received 722,052 page views on Thanksgiving day alone!