I wanted to let you know April 4th is National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day #ChickenCordonBleuDay. I never this about making Chicken Cordon Bleu but this might be a recipe Charlie would actually eat. I believe David would like it as well.
As for me I haven’t had Chicken Cordon Bleu since I was a child. I had lunch at my best friends home and Tina and her sister Tonya made Cordon Bleu for us with Cheetos and Kool-Aid. What a combination wasn’t it? Cordon Blue is Chicken Cheese and Ham and it isn’t bad but I don’t know about you but I will pass even though I like Ham and Chicken and Cheese just not all together. How about you. Do you like Chicken Cordon Blue?
National Cordon Bleu Day is celebrated on April 4 each year to commemorate the invention of Cordon Bleu, the dish which has fast become a favorite in restaurants across the globe. Essentially this dish is made with either Chicken Breast, Pork, or Veal that is then snugly tucked with Ham and any Cheese (Swiss, Emmental, or Gruyere), coated with Breadcrumbs, and then either fried or baked to perfection.
Chicken Cordon Blue is commonly served with a Dijon Cream Sauce. Another reason I don’t like Chicken Cordon Blue. Americans, in particular, seem to go ga-ga over Chicken Cordon Bleu, which comes as no surprise, given that it’s like having a giant Cheesy Nugget swimming in a Creamy Sauce. A mouth-watering entree to be sure.
Though the origins of National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day are murky, the origin of the dish Cordon Bleu is said to hail from Switzerland, where it was more commonly referred to as a ‘Schnitzel.’ Back in 1578, in France, there was an order of Knights known as the “Order of the Knights of the Holy Spirit” and they had a practice of hanging their talismans on blue ribbons.
Thanks to this, they became known as ‘Les Cordon Bleus’ (literally, ‘the blue ribbons’) and during King Henry III of France’s rule, the blue ribbon gained its significance by being awarded only to knights of the highest rank.
This is why it is symbolic of excellence even today, as blue ribbons then began to be conferred upon Chefs and their dishes which were of the highest standards. Contrary to popular belief though, the famous French culinary arts institute, Le Cordon Bleu, has nothing to do with the founding of National Cordon Bleu Day, despite the name.
The dish Chicken Cordon Bleu can also be traced back to Veal Kiev, which was introduced in Paris in the late 1840s. Later on, in Moscow, the Veal was swapped out for Chicken and the recipe first appeared in print in the year 1955.
It was in the 1960s that the dish reached America while making its first print appearance in “The New York Times” in 1967. But given this rather bland history, we prefer the story (even if its veracity is dubious), where a Swiss Chef found herself with insufficient Meat for two large groups of patrons at her restaurant.
She then hit upon the idea of butterflying the Meat Filets, stuffing them with Ham and Cheese, and frying them up, which earned her a blue ribbon. She declined but mentioned that it would make a fitting name for the dish, hence the name Cordon Bleu.
National Cordon Bleu Day Activities
- If you’ve never tried Chicken Cordon Blue before, we suggest you go out and try Chicken Cordon Bleu at any authentic French restaurant. You can make it a date with your partner, or even have a family night out. Whatever you choose, make sure to share in its delicacy.
- If you got a signature dish that you have managed to make your own over the years? Go ahead and make it worthy of a blue ribbon, with friends and family being the ones to judge it at the table. Or try making your own Chicken Cordon Bleu, because there are many versions out there to try from.
- There are so many great dishes of universal appeal, which have originated from France. National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day could present the perfect opportunity to dive into the history of these dishes and arm yourself with fascinating factoids and origin stories that could wow those at your next dinner party conversation.
Facts About French Cuisine You May Not Know
- People say this in all seriousness food is given the highest priority and cultural significance in France.
- Every region of France has its own unique cuisines and dishes.
- In any French restaurant, the Baguette is free and one can have unlimited servings of it.
- France produces over 400 different kinds of traditionally-made Cheeses.
- The French love all the popular fast-food chains which Americans does!
Why People Love National Cordon Bleu Day
The beauty of Cordon Bleu lies in its relative simplicity and variations. Chicken Cordon Bleu can be made using different types of Meats, which make it suitable for all cultures and people groups.
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a dish that has gained appreciation worldwide, so it’s no wonder that it requires a day for itself. National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day allows us to appreciate international cuisine and give it the honor it deserves.
The question is who doesn’t love another food holiday, as they give us a chance to widen our culinary horizons and gain a new appreciation for dishes which bring us more than just full stomachs the dishes bring us closer to another Culture too.
Recipe for Chicken Cordon Bleu
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)
2 slices deli ham
2 slices Gruyere or Swiss cheese
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika
- Flatten chicken to 1/4-in. thickness; top each with Ham and Cheese. Roll up and tuck in ends; secure with toothpicks.
2. Place butter in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, salt and paprika. Dip chicken in butter then roll in crumb mixture.
3. Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Discard toothpicks
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
