National Bubble Appreciation Day

National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day?? !! You’ve got to be kidding. I was innocently minding my own business this morning when it was brought to my attention that today is National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day. What????

Let’s set the way-back machine
date: 1957
place: a garage in Hawthorne New Jersey

Two engineers, Marc Chavannes and Al Fielding decided to invent plastic wallpaper! It was a novel idea, but no one liked it enough to buy it. Picture this scenario in your mind. Marc and Al come home from the wallpaper sales convention they went to and start throwing items from the garage (including their plastic wall paper) into boxes. The next day, they went back to the garage and discovered that nothing was broken!!! They realized that their invention could be used as a cushioning packaging material. Marc and Al raised $9,000 to fund a developmental production line and the rest, as they say, is history!

Fast forward the way-back machine to:
date: 2001
place: Bloomington, IN

A disc jockey for Spirit 95" Radio, (the FM station in Bloomington, IN) got another novel idea. The station started Bubble Wrap® Appreciation Day, and, held its first annual Bubblympiad with events such as a Bubble Wrap® popping relay, Pop-a-Mole (similar to a well-known carnival game), and sculpture and fashion design contests.

It’s been celebrated ever since. Who’d of guessed it?

Coming up with a recipe using Bubble Wrap is a little difficult, but I found something you just might like :)


Kellogg’s Rice Bubble ice-cream Baskets (how’s that for a title?)

Cooking time: 20 minutes setting time
Makes: 10

INGREDIENTS
200g white chocolate, chopped
2 cups Kellogg’s® Rice Bubbles®
100g milk chocolate, chopped

METHOD

1. Microwave* the chocolate on high for 2 minutes stirring every 30 seconds until almost fully melted.
2. Stir until chocolate is smooth and fully melted.
3. Add the Kellogg’s® Rice Bubbles® and combine well. Lightly spray a muffin tin with oil.
4. Gently press the Kellogg’s® Rice Bubbles® mixture into basket shapes, be careful not to make it too thick.
5. Allow the mixture to set in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
6. Melt the milk chocolate in the microwave* as per above directions.
7. Using a pastry brush, brush the insides of the Rice Bubble cups with a generous amount of chocolate. Place back into the refrigerator for a further 10 minutes.
8. Remove from refrigerator½ hour before serving. To serve, fill with your favourite ice cream or fresh fruit or both.

* 900-watt microwave used. Timings may vary.
Found at www.kelloggs.com.au/ricebubbles/recipe-iceCreamBasket.htm