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Christmas is the greatest festivals of the Christians and is celebrated accross the globe with the same level of enthusiasm. Christmas also happen to be a universal festival, in which not only the Christians but all people of the other religion also participate with great spirit. The different kind of dishes prepared for Christmas is one of the main attractions of the festivities. Various special Christmas recipes constitute a traditional Christmas meal. The Christmas recipes include the different kinds of Christmas cakes, puddings, pies, cookies and several other Christmas main course delicacies. Here are some of the most popular Christmas recipes to tease your taste buds.
Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients:
- 6 chopped and peeled shallots (bulbed onions)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh pureed pumpkin
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup half and half cream
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup pasta, rice shaped
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh dill, an aromatic herb
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
Preparation:
The shallots need to be sauted in butter for few minutes. Add the pasta and the chicken stock to it and boil them for about 5 minutes. Add the parmesean cheese, the pureed pumpkin, and crème and stir the mixture well. Put the mustard and dill in it and add pepper and salt for seasoning. Cook at low flame for about 25 minutes and serve the soup hot.
Classic Roasted Turkey
Ingredients:
- 18 to 24 pounds Whole Turkey
- Fresh basil, parsley or thyme for garnishing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Freshly ground pepper
- Salt to taste
Preparation:
Pre heat the oven at 325 degree Farenheit. Take the whole turkey and remove the neck from the body. Wash the inside, outside of it well with cold water, and dry it. If you want to have, a stuffed turkey put the stuffing of your choice inside it. It is advisable to put 3 to 4 cups of stuffings for each pound of Turkey. Don’t pre stuff the turkey but just stuff it immediately. Rub the Turkey with softened butter or olive oil and add pepper and salt as seasoning. Place the turkey in the roaster or in a shallow pan comprising a rack. A meat thermometer should be used. Put the thickest breast part and the thermometer must read 170 degree Farenheit, when it is cooked. When the turkey starts browning then cover it with an aluminium foil, so that it shouldn’t get over browned. When cooked place the turkey in the serving platter. Let it stand for 30 minutes before carving.You can use the driftings as gravy. Garnish the turkey with thyme or parsley.
Christmas Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated or brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups chopped dates
- 1 1/2 cups raisins
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 5 tablespoons vegetable shortening
Preparation:
Put the sugar, shortening, dates, raisins all together in a pan and boil. Put at a simmer flame for 20 minutes and then cool down to room temperature. Add flour, spices, salt, and soda and make a fruit mixture, stirring well. Toss the nuts with 1tbsp of flour and put in the cake batter and pour it into a greased pan of about 10-12 inches. Bake it at 300 degree Farenheit or 150 degree celcius for 1 and ½ hours and then taste that whether it’s done or not.
Sigi tells you to prepare these dishes and have a deliciously merry Christmas.
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