Food

8 Christmas Food Traditions Around The Globe

Published

1 week ago

2019-12-03

When it comes to the winter holidays, food traditions are an important part the celebrations in countries around the world, even if the foods are different from country to country. For some a festive meal wouldn’t be complete without fried chicken, fruit cake or salted cod. Depending on where you grew up, and where you live now, the seasonal delicacies that grace your table may be sweet, savoury, or a little bit of everything in-between.

Let’s take a look at different Christmas food traditions around the world.

1. England’s Christmas Pudding

Via The Independent

This famous dish has many names. Whether you call it figgy pudding, plum pudding, ‘pud’ or Christmas pudding, this dessert is a key Christmas tradition in England, Ireland and also some parts of the US. Despite its name, plum pudding doesn’t actually include plums. Pre-Victorian era, ‘plums’ referred to what we now call raisins, and because dried fruits are an important part of this pudding, it is how it earned its name.

2. Tamales Of Costa Rica

Via Insight Guides

In Costa Rica, making tamales is a Christmas tradition and every family has their own ‘secret’ recipe. The basis of Tomales is corn dough, wrapped in a banana leaf or corn husk, and then steamed. Some are stuffed with pork, and some with beef or chicken. Other foods that may be a part of the filling are garlic, onion, potatoes, or raisins.

3. Latkes Of Israel

Via My Jewish Learning

Since the Middle Ages, latkes in some form or another have been an important part of Hanukkah tradition. Latkes are fried potato pancakes are cooked in oil. This recognizes that the Second Temple kept the Menorah burning with oil for eight days. Other dishes enjoyed as a part of this tradition include fried donuts and fritters. Hanukkah gelt, small chocolate coins, are given to children by relatives.

4. Germany’s Christmas Goose

Via Babble top

The German Christmas feast is historically centred around the Weihnachtsgans, the Christmas goose. A tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, eating goose was originally tied to St. Martin’s Day, but eventually became a part of the Christmas meal. Often stuffed with apples, chestnuts, onions, and prunes, then spiced with mugwort and marjoram, the goose is served alongside red cabbage, dumplings, gravy and dry fruits.

5. Christmas Fried Chicken In Japan

In Japan, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year for Kentucky Fried Chicken, or KFC, a fast-food chain. Because about 3.6 million Japanese families eat KFC on Christmas Eve, they often need to reserve their meal up to two months in advance. During the 1970s, KFC put together a holiday party bucket and behind it, a brilliant marketing plan. At the time, Japan didn’t have many Christmas traditions. KFC filled that void by telling consumers “here is something that you should do on Christmas”. The trend caught on quickly.

6. Panettone Of Italy

Via Spurce Eats

Italy has numerous regional traditions when it comes to Christmas dinner. In some parts of Italy, they celebrate with The Feast of the Seven Fishes. This meal includes seven different fish prepared in seven different ways. More often than not, two of the featured items are baccala (salted cod) and calamari. In other areas, they eat roasted lamb, or poultry roasted or boiled and seasoned with sauce.

7. Cookies Of Poland

Via Irish Central

Another country with cookies on the menu when it comes to holiday season in Poland. Additionally there’s a special cookie- Kołaczki is a flaky, jelly-filled confection, with dough often made with sour cream or cream cheese. These fold-over style cookies come with a variety of fillings. If the standard apricot or raspberry doesn’t do it for you, you can also try poppyseed, nuts, or sweet cheese. They’re topped with confectioners sugar immediately before serving.

8. Sweden’s Saffron Buns

Via Electric Blue Shots

Saffron buns are sweet and often yellow in color (due to the saffron, of course!). They are shaped into an “S” and then baked into their final buttery form. They’re served to the family by the oldest daughter, by tradition, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying your hand at making them, and most importantly, enjoying the end product. Some food traditions have a deeper meaning than just its taste.

We certainly hope that you’ve enjoyed the article, For more related content read this – 8 Insanely Cool Christmas Gifts Ideas This Season

Related Topics:Christmas Featured food Food Porn holiday new year snacks

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Food

Must-Watch Series On The Bon Appétit YouTube Channel

Published

2 days ago

2019-12-10

Snigdha

Do you enjoy watching cooking series? If that is your thing, you are definitely going to love the hit content that’s on the Bon Appétit YouTube channel. Their kitchen comprises of various chefs of different expertise and personalities. They all come together to create dishes, experiment with new ingredients, etc. in front of the camera. What strikes a chord with their millions of subscribers is the way all the chef’s help each other out, joke around, and mess up too. But in the end, they come out with delightfully plated results they are proud of. So, let’s take a look at the series you have got to watch!

Gourmet Makes Series

As the name suggests, the show has Claire Saffitz recreate popular candies, fast food, etc. right from scratch and make them gourmet. Claire has to get the taste, presentation, and structure of the reference right! The research, time, and effort she puts into perfecting her work is awe-inspiring! This series is all about patience and ingenuity – as Claire takes on one challenge after another. Moreover, it is heartwarming to see her colleagues drop by for taste testing, giving her new ideas, etc.

Back-to-Back Chef Series

Your favorite celebrity singer or actor has probably made an appearance on this show! Carla has her guests stand back to back with her, as she guides them through a recipe. They both make it simultaneously and then turn around to reveal each others’ creations. It is hilarious to see her guests struggle to keep up or panic over burnt eggs. But Carla is always ready to help them out and offer encouragement. Troye Sivan, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natalie Portman have all been here.

It’s Alive! With Brad

This one is all about fermentation. The camera follows Brad as he ferments all kinds of different foods and ingredients. One unique factor of the show is its editing. It is absolutely hilarious and goofy. It captures Brad’s charming and eccentric personality all too well.

Reverse Engineering

Chris is known for his expert sense of taste in the kitchen. So here, he is presented with different dishes that he can only smell, taste, and touch with a blindfold on. Then he has to recreate them all on his own.

Molly Tries

Have you heard of ostrich eggs? Well, Molly Baz has cooked them in multiple ways too. This show takes the professional chef on exciting adventures in and out of the kitchen. The way she is open to learning and exploring her skills is remarkable.

From the Test Kitchen

Brad, Claire, Molly, Carla, Chris, Rick, Priya, Christina, Andy, and Amiel take on various recipes in these videos. We gain insight into how they make such delicious food with all tips and years of experience.

So be it Andy passing sly comments in between shots or Priya calling up her parents to show off her dishes, the show is very endearing too. Learn how to make Saag Feta, Meatball Subs, molten caramel cake, and more.

Making Perfect

Last but certainly not least, we have Making Perfect. The whole crew comes together to create the perfect Thanksgiving meal, etc. You get to see how they all coordinate and cooperate with each other through the trial and errors of cooking. This comprehensive series has had two successful seasons until now.

For more food content, click here.

Food

Quick Dishes To Prepare In Your Hostel Rooms!

Published

4 days ago

2019-12-08

Akansha

If there is one thing that unites hostelers all over the globe, it will be the low-quality food served in their mess. Sad mess food and survival on instant noodles is a tale as old as time in every hosteler’s life. Finding paneer in matar paneer gravy and salt in dal is one adventure in the everyday life of people in hostels. It is almost impossible to reminisce about hostel life without mentioning the sufferings before every meal and comparing your food miseries with others. Most hostelers simply resort to instant noodles or order-in from restaurants and cafes. Not only does this lead to excessive expenditure but can also lead to serious health issues. It is found that most people gain weight during their hostel lives. So, what if instead of cutting a sorry figure over the food quality and eating expensive, junk food as the last resort, you could make some easy, healthy and quick that too in your hostel rooms? Isn’t it a dream come true for all the hostelers to be able to eat good food that is easy to make, cheap and quick? Keeping all this in mind we have curated a list of easy dishes that you make at the comfort of your time and space. These dishes can be made with easily available ingredients, promise less time and commitment and can be made even by a novice cook. So, next time when the sudden hunger pangs kick, and you miss the dinner time, do not worry. You do not need to rely on the mess food anymore, just prepare these simple dishes and enjoy your hostel life in the truest sense.

Paneer Chilli Sandwich

Spicy Chilli Corn

Nutella Banana Sandwich

Mint Chutney Sandwich

Farali Chaat

Mug Cake

Omelette in a Mug

Microwave Potato Chips

Masala Corn

While the mess food is always a love hate relation, try these recipes to satisfy the hunger!

Click here for more such recipes

Food

Places That Serve The Best Hot Chocolate

Published

5 days ago

2019-12-07

Ananya

Warm clothes, a fireplace, Christmas lights and a cup of hot chocolate. This all that one needs right now. The city is getting colder by the day and a cup of hot chocolate would be perfect. Hot Chocolate is usually made of milk, sugar and cocoa powder. One can also make additions of heavy cream, dark/milk chocolate or even marshmallows.

Here is a list of places where you can find an excellent cup of this magic drink.

1. Cravity

The Hot Chocolate at Cravity is perfect for people who prefer it extremely thick and indulgent. Neither watery nor underwhelming, it is just right. However, it does feel slightly heavy but it is worth every calorie.

Location: Hauz Khas, New Delhi

Credits- Shivangi Reviews

2. Baked Love By Vatsala

This small bakery is located in Green Park and hides in the Ashirwad complex. They have a small seating area and you should not miss their sinful Hot Chocolate. Freshly made (almost in front of you), thick consistency and use of good quality dark chocolate, make it a must-try.

Location: Aashirwad Complex, Green Park, New Delhi

Credits- LBB

3. Chocolateria San Churro

This one in Gk 2 market is popular for its churros served with pots of melted chocolate. But now is the time to visit them for their classic Hot Chocolate in the milk chocolate flavor. They offer a variety of twists for people who like to experiment. You can also try the mint flavor.

Location: Gk 2, New Delhi

Credits- Zomato.com

4. Elma’s

This one is not alien to any of us. And with a slice of their popular Red Velvet perfectly goes the Hot Chocolate topped with marshmallows. Their marshmallows are made in-house which makes it a must-have.

Location: Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi

Credits- Dineout

5. The Mad Teapot

Popularly known as wishing chair, this beautiful and dainty cafe serves some amazing dishes. Also, their cupcakes are one thing that one should not miss. What a lot of people do not know is that they serve a warm cup of Hot Chocolate. And this drink has a hint of nutmeg, cinnamon and thick chocolate like consistency.

Location: Shahpurjat, New Delhi

Credits- Rohit Dassani

6. Café Dori

This newly opened café in Chattarpur got popular even before it opened its door. The founder of Nappa Dori has introduced this warehouse café for his love for coffee where one can buy the products too. This is a great place to sip on their hot chocolate which is made from the best quality chocolates topped with marshmallows and cocoa.

Location: Chattarpur