Christmas Recipes

The children always look forward to receiving gifts, while grown-ups probably look forward to preparing and eating Christmas food the most. As it is, we all exert much effort to plan and prepare good food during Christmas. All recipes must be tasty and there must be enough of everything.

During Christmas, a whole nation eats the same food. People cook according to the same Christmas recipes and end up with the same table decorations. It is, after all, a time for observing traditions. In the USA, they serve turkey and/or ham. It is placed in the middle of table; thus, it also functions as an amazing table decor. Many people in England do the same.

However, even though traditions with regards to Christmas recipes are great, they are not the same across States.

• Hawaii blesses us with Turkey Teriyaki marinated and cooked in an outdoor pit.
• New England has Lumberjack Pie (a mashed potato crust filled with meat, onion, and cinnamon)
• Pennsylvania Dutch serves Sand Tarts (thin, crisp sugar cookies)
• Louisiana's treat is Creole Gumbo. It can include ham, veal, chicken, shrimp, oysters, and crabmeat.
• North Carolina features Moravian Love-Feast Buns (faintly sweet bread of flour and mashed potatoes)
• Baltimore serves Sauerkraut with their Turkey (which includes apples, onions, and carrots)
• Southern states have Hominy Grits Soufflé and Whiskey Cake (with one cup of 100-proof whiskey.)
• New Mexico has Empanaditas -- little beef pies with applesauce, pine nuts, and raisins
• Virginia gives us oyster and ham pie

At the same time, each family often has its own personal Christmas recipe which all members prefer. Sometimes, the turkey is stuffed with something very special or the potatoes need to be prepared in a special way on this particular day.

You will see the big differences if you examine what the different nations eat for Xmas. In Mexico, the menu mostly consists of fruits, nuts, and salad. In the Czech Republic, they eat carp, and in France, the Christmas recipes consist of both foie gras and lobster.