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National Cordon Bleu Day

Food · April 4

A food day for cordon bleu, the breaded cutlet rolled or folded around ham and cheese, then fried or baked until the cheese melts inside.

National Cordon Bleu Day falls on Sunday, April 4, 2027. That is 159 days away.

Cordon bleu is a cutlet with a secret. A thin piece of meat, most often chicken in American kitchens, is wrapped around a slice of ham and a slice of cheese, then breaded and cooked until the outside is crisp and the middle has gone soft and molten.

The first cut is the best part. The crust cracks, a little steam escapes, and the cheese slides out to meet the plate. Swiss cheese is the usual choice because it melts smoothly and tastes mild and nutty next to the salty ham. Veal and pork versions exist too, and some cooks skip rolling altogether and simply fold the cutlet over its filling like a book.

At home the dish is mostly a matter of patience. The meat gets pounded thin so it will roll without tearing, and the bundle often rests in the refrigerator for a while so the breading holds. Toothpicks keep stubborn rolls closed. Frying gives a deeper crust, while baking is gentler and easier to manage for a crowd.

The name is French and means "blue ribbon," a phrase long used to praise excellent cooking. Restaurants and frozen food aisles both carry it, and a plain cordon bleu with a green salad and a spoonful of mustard on the side is about as classic a dinner as it gets.

Ways to celebrate

• Try rolling chicken cordon bleu at home with ham and Swiss cheese.
• Bake a sheet pan version with cutlets folded over the filling.
• Look for cordon bleu on a local diner or restaurant menu.
• Share a cross-section photo showing the melted cheese inside.
• Try a mustard or creamy sauce on the side.

Dates

All national days on April 4

Also on April 4

• 404 Day
• National Hug a Newsperson Day
• Tell a Lie Day
• National Vitamin C Day
• National Walk Around Things Day

Categories: Food days