Celebrating and Creating Your Christmas Traditions
- Author Karen Ciancio
- Published January 15, 2010
- Word count 478
Christmas is celebrated around the world and each of us has our own Christmas traditions developed with family and friends over the years. Many of these traditions involve the kinds of food we eat.
Christmas foods played a large role in the traditions of my family - whether it was the Christmas eve cabbage rolls and pierogi dinner with my Austrian parents or the Italian sweet treats served Christmas day by the other side of the family. And we can't forget the delicious turkey dinners, served with all the trimmings.
Often times we don't think that much of these traditions while we are young, and take them for granted. But as we grow older we appreciate the richness these holiday traditions have added to our lives. And as adults we have the opportunity to create our own traditions, those special times together that will become cherished memories for our own children to remember.
Here are two holiday recipes that may become family favorites at your house and may form part of your family's memorable Christmas traditions.
Festive Rum or Orange Balls
2 squares (ounces) semi-sweet chocolate
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup icing sugar
1/3 cup orange juice
2 cups vanilla wafers, finely crushed
1 cup chopped pecans
For the outer coating:
Toasted pecans, finely chopped
icing sugar
chocolate, finely grated
Melt chocolate squares in a pot over hot water and stir until melted. Add corn syrup, wafer crumbs and nuts. Mix well. Chill this mixture until it is firm enough to handle.
Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll in one of the coatings.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for at least one week to meld flavors.
(Use an equal amount of dark rum for rum balls).
Makes about 30 balls
Surprise Inside Hint:
Place one well drained maraschino cherry into the center of each rum ball as you are rolling them. Roll rum mixture around the cherry evenly.
Ginger Krinkles
1/2 cup shortening or unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup molasses
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
sugar
Preheat oven to 325ºF.
Lightly grease baking sheets.
Place shortening and sugar in bowl and beat until mixture is creamy. Beat in egg and molasses. In another bowl, use a fork to stir flour with baking soda, salt and spices. Gradually stir into shortening mixture until just smooth. Do not over mix.
Take dough by the tablespoonful and roll into a 1" ball. Roll in sugar and place 2" apart on baking sheet. Do not press down.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until lightly browned and tops are cracked. Cool then store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze.
Makes 48 cookies
Whatever your holiday traditions you can be sure you are joining millions in celebrating Christmas around the world. Creating memorable family Christmas traditions can increase the joy of the season immensely.
Karen Ciancio is a cook and lover of all things food and cooking related. Her website www.CookingNook.com contains hundreds of recipes, cooking tips, measurement conversions, kitchen product ideas and diet and nutritional information. Find more holiday recipes here.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Popular Chinese New Year Snacks to Include in Your Corporate Gifts
- From Pizza to Apps: The Evolution and Future of Online Food Delivery
- Exploring the mechanisms behind the impact of alcoholic beverages on social behavior and health
- Discover the Top Affordable Pasta Catering in Perth
- How Acidic Foods And Drinks Can Erode Your Enamel And How To Protect It
- Is brown sugar good in coffee?
- Conquering Perth's Dinnertime Dilemma: How Tommy Sugo Saves the Day
- Against Molecular Mixology and the Cancer-Causing Powders
- How To Cater To Diverse Dietary Needs And Preferences
- Discovering Central Asian Food: A Culinary Journey
- Nutritious and delicious: 10 remarkable health benefits of eating Alphonso mangos
- Fishing Rod Rental Panama City Beach
- Deep-Fried Everything: The Glorious Food Creations of a County Fair
- Authentic Nigerian Spices and Where to Find Them in the UK
- FutureCommPR Talks with Three Female Entrepreneurs
- The Art and Joy of Latte Art: How to Draw on Latte
- How to Grow Healthy Tomatoes from Seeds
- Unlock the Secrets Behind Our Christmas Dinner Traditions!
- Affordable Ways To Eat Healthy: How To Nourish Your Body Without Breaking The Bank
- Cooking as a Form of Self-Care
- Title: Nutrition and Diet: A Comprehensive Guide
- The Delightful World of Food: Exploring Flavors, Cultures, and Nourishment
- Processed Foods and Their Implications for Public Health in Western Societies (Western Diets vs Eastern Cuisine)
- Zanti Cucina Italiana
- The Surprising Health Benefits Of Eating Spicy Food
- 3 Food Experiences To Try Before You Die
- Why is Cardamom "The Queen of Spices"?
- Valentine’s Day Cooking Love: 4 Romantic Meals to Cook
- Mabroc Tea
- Is Spanish food really all that?