Where is spirit of Christmas? Have you seen it?

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | Dec 3 2003 | Carlo3b Dad, Chef, Author

[carlo3b]

Where is spirit of Christmas? Have you seen it?

I am really getting worried that it's lost and we won't be able to find it in time.

I am just heartbroken, somewhere over the last few years we seem to have misplaced the heart and soul of Christmas. The season appears to be right, the weather has a nip to it, and the decorations have been up for a very long time, and I am constantly being reminded that it's just around the corner, but somehow I have this terribly feeling that something is wrong.

It is more than just one thing that isn't quite right, there isn't any laughter. I can't recall what it was that used to make me smile and sing at this time of the year, but it for sure isn't there anymore. Can you help me find the warmth, and love that Christmas has always brought into our lives, have you seen any joy in peoples eyes?  Maybe it's just me, oh my, is it just me?

I seem to recall that this season was a time that brought everyone together, families and friends, and even strangers. Wait, I don't remember thinking at this time of the year that there were any strangers, only wonderful people that we hadn't had the opportunity to meet yet. People smiled at each other, held the door, men and boys offered every woman their seat, and everyone said GOD BLESS YOU, when you sneezed.

Heirloom decorations were unpacked, families went out together to choose a tree, and that inexhaustible calliope of mystical music filled the air. The smell of fresh pine was abundant in each and every house, and colored lights blinked as kids giggled and whispering and scribbled notes to Santa.

Old folks and children where the center of attention, and picking just the right gift was a very special achievement, well thought out and mulled over for days. Some presents took all year to make, and some took all year to save for. Only a very few were expensive, but all had a special meaning. Gift wrapping was an art, and unwrapping was deliberate and magical.

The center of the community was your neighborhood church, and talk of God, and baby Jesus was the main topic of Grace before dinner, and bedtime stories. Mangers, Santa's, holiday decorations, and lights were everywhere. Snow was a conversation piece, and when and if, was debated and recalled.

Food, ah yes, holiday food was researched, planned, plotted and prepared for days leading up to the big event. Everyone was involved, and everyone had a job. The location of the Christmas Eve party was usually determined by the age of the grandparents, and where they lived in proximity to the bulk of the family. However that was no sure thing.

Each family was represented in the choice of menu items. Every wonderful cook in each branch of the family offered to prepare their own special version of the chosen food. This made for a memorable feast indeed. The competition was playful and fun, but most importantly, filled with love... lots and lots of love and lovers.

This is the time of the year that we built mountains of warm love, enough to store up for cold dark days ahead. If we lose Christmas, who will tell the children about the baby Jesus, who will love you and remind you how lucky you are to have freedom, and  family, and bring memories to the old folks, and memories that you can recall when you are old. Don't let it happen.

Won't you help me find Christmas, I know it's somewhere.. Do you know where it can be, perhaps it's just hiding deep in the warmth of your heart.. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your love. Thank you for being you..

THANK GOD FOR AMERICA.. God Bless you all... MERRY CHRISTMAS..

[carlo3b]

AUTHENTIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

If you make this, have the kids ready to eat it because if you taste it first, they won't get any.. Bwhahahahhaah

• 8 oz. elbow macaroni
• 3 tbs.. butter
• 3 tbs.. flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• Dash pepper
• Dash of nutmeg
• 2 c. milk
• 1/2 lb. Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 c. bread crumbs


1) Cook macaroni until tender
2) Make white sauce of butter, flour, seasoning and milk. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly.
3) Add 3/4 of cheese and blend. Pour sauce over macaroni.
4) Sprinkle with remaining cheese mixed with bread crumbs.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes at 325 degrees.

[carlo3b]

I teach kids how to make this as a real culinary treat. Rice pudding is one of my favorite desserts, but some recipes have you standing over a hot stove during the entire cooking process.  This version is virtually labor-free, and the results won't disappoint.
. Baked Rice and Raisin Pudding

• 1/2 cup uncooked rice
• 3 cups milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• A grating of fresh nutmeg

1) Combine all ingredients in a 2-quart (2 L) oven-proof casserole or baking dish.
2) Bake in a preheated 350F (180C) oven, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the milk has been absorbed,
about 2 1/2 hours.  Serve warm or chilled....Yummmmm
Serves 4 to 6.

[Soaring Feather]

Hi Carlo!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!

[carlo3b]

Advent Reflections for All -- 2003
The Advent Calendar
The Advent Wreath
The Jesse Tree

You have it.. THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THIS GLORIOUS SEASON.. BLESS YOU FOR SHARING IT!

[carlo3b]

That is just beautiful.. Thank you dear girl...

A Soldiers Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas.
He lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of
Plaster and Stone.

I had come down the Chimney,
With presents to give.
And to see just who In this home
did live.

I looked all about
A strange sight I did see.
No tinsel, No presents,
Not even a tree.
No stocking by the mantle,
Just boots filled with sand.

On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands.
With medals and badges,
Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought
Came through my mind.
For this house was different,
It was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,

Once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor
In this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured

Was this the hero
Of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a Poncho,
The floor for a bed?
I realized the families
That I saw this night,
Owed their lives to these soldiers
Who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world,
The children would play,
And grownup's would celebrate
A bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom
each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers,
Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve
In a land far from home.
The very thought
Brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
And started to Cry.

The soldier awakened
And I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
This life is my choice."
The solider rolled over
And drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still
And we both shivered
From the cold nights chill.
I didn't want to leave
On that cold, dark, night,
This guardian of Honor
So willing to fight.

The solider rolled over,
With a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas Day, All is secure."
One look at my watch,
And I knew he was right.

"Merry Christmas my friend,
And to all a good night."

This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

 
 

[stanz]

You mean those red ones! Ha!
Well, you sure could use them if you were here right now. We had 8 inches of snow yesterday and they expect about 4 more today. It's really early for us to have snow. It's depressing.If I could sit home and just venture out to play in it, it would be fun, but commuting to work is a disaster. Humbug.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

An emotional heartfelt bump..... God bless our troops. Merry Christmans to all.

[carlo3b]

The Legend of Robin Redbreast

On that first Christmas, it is said, the night
was wrapped in a bitter chill. The small fire in the
stable was nearly out, and the Mother Mary worried
that her baby would be cold. she turned to the animals
about her and asked them for help.

"Could you blow on the embers," she asked the ox, "so the
fire might continue to keep my son warm?"

But the ox lay sound asleep on the stable floor and did
not hear her. Next, mary asked the donkey to breathe life
back into the fire, but the sleeping donkey did not hear
Mary either. Nor did the horse or sheep. She wondered what
to do.

Suddenly, Mary heard a fluttering of little wings. Looking
up, she saw a plain, brown-coloured little robin fly into
the stall. This robin had heard Mary calling to the animals
and had come to help her himself. he went over to the dying
fire and flapped his wings hard.

His wings were like little bellows, huffing and puffing air
onto the embers, until they glowed bright red again. He
continued to fan the fire, singing all the while, until the
ashes began to kindle.

With his beak, the robin picked up some fresh, dry sticks
and tossed them into the fire. As he did, a flame suddenly
burst forth and burned the little bird's breast a bright red.
But the robin simply continued to fan the fire until it
crackled brightly and warmed the entire stable. The
Baby Jesus slept happily.

Mary thanked and praised the robin for all he had done.
She looked tenderly at his red breast, burned by the flame,
and said "From now on, let your red breast be a blessed
reminder of your noble deed."

And to this day, the robin's red breast covers his humble heart.

~From 'A Christmas Stocking' Louise Betts Egan

[carlo3b]

The Legend of the Christmas Spider

A long time ago , a mother prepared for Christmas Eve.
She cleaned and scrubbed her home, chasing the spiders
from the living room with her broom. The spiders fled to
the attic and listened to the excitement below as the
Christmas tree was put up and decorated. When all was quiet
again, the little spiders crept back downstairs to see the
beautiful tree. They were filled with happiness as they
crawled along every branch, admiring the glittering beauty of
each ornament. But alas, by the time they had finished climbing
through the tree, it was completely draped with their dusty,
gray cobwebs.

When the Christ child came, He smiled as He looked upon the
happy little spiders, however, He knew the mother would be
heartbroken when she saw the shrouded tree. So He reached out
and touched the webs and, blessing them, turned them into silver
and gold. Now the Christmas tree sparkled and shimmered and was
even more beautiful than before. Thus the custom to have tinsel
of silver and gold and a spider ornament amongst the other
decorations on the Christmas tree was born.

[carlo3b]

ESCAROLE, SPINACH, AND RED ONION SALAD WITH ANCHOVY GARLIC DRESSING

For the dressing

• 1 garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 flat anchovy fillet, or to taste, chopped
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 8 cups packed escarole, rinsed, spun dry, and torn into pieces
• 6 cups packed fresh spinach leaves, washed well, spun dry, and torn
•  into pieces
• 1 cup finely chopped red onion

Make the dressing:
In a blender blend together the garlic paste, the anchovy, the vinegar, the lemon juice, the mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. With the motor running add the oil in a stream and blend the dressing well.
In a large bowl combine the escarole, the spinach, the onion, and the dressing and toss the salad until it is combined well.

Serves 6 to 8.

[carlo3b]

Peppered Venison Steaks with Burgundy Wine Sauce

1  3 1/2 to 4 pound boneless loin of venison, trimmed and cut crosswise into eight 4 to 6 ounce steaks,  (reserving any remaining for another use, or eight 6 ounce filets mignons of beef)
2  tablespoons black peppercorns
2  tablespoons Szechuan peppercorns
2  tablespoons dried allspice berries
1  stick (1/2 cup) plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3  tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup minced white part of scallion plus 1/3 cup thinly sliced scallion green
1  cup dry red wine

1) Flatten each steak to a 3/4 inch thickness between 2 pieces of plastic wrap.
2) In a heavy-duty sealable plastic bag or between 2 sheets of wax paper crush the peppercorns and the allspice berries  coarsely with the bottom of a heavy skillet.
3) Press the peppercorn mixture into both sides of the steaks and chill the steaks, covered with plastic wrap, for at least 2 hours or overnight.
4) In each of 2 heavy skillets heat 1/2 tablespoons of the butter and 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately high heat until the foam subsides and in the fat sauté steaks, seasoned with salt, for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until they are just springy to the touch for rare meat.
5) Transfer the steaks with a slotted spatula to a platter and keep them warm, covered loosely.
6) Pour off the fat remaining in the skillets, to each skillet add 1 tablespoon of the remaining butter and half the minced white scallion, and cook the scallion over moderate heat, stirring, until it is softened.
7) Deglaze each skillet with 1/2 cup of the wine, scraping up any brown bits clinging to the skillet, and pour the wine mixture from one skillet into the other.
8) Boil the wine mixture until it is reduced to a glaze, remove the skillet from the heat, and whisk in the remaining 8 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, adding each new piece just before the previous one has melted completely. Whisk in the scallion green and salt and black pepper to taste.
9) Spoon some of the sauce over each steak.
Serves 8.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Did a little bird tell you I was having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit?

For the first time in my entire life, I have not wanted the tree, the decorations the, the spirit.

How did you know that Carlos? Did a little Robin redbreast whisper into your ear that I needed help this year?

Thanks for your thread and your posts. They have comforted my heart. I am feeling better now.

I am Glad to see there are some people willing to fight , even for Christmas. Who ever would have thought we needed to?

Merry Christmas, dear FRiend. Merry Christmas!

[carlo3b]

This baby will make you feel even better.. :) MERRY CHRISTMAS

 
Here is a little something that Italians, as well as almost everyone else enjoys but can't quite make it as  well as their favorite authentic Italian Trattorie and Ristoranti!
Well, "THIS IS IT, JUST FOR YOU" exactly as my family and I have prepared this wonderful dish all over the world! It's easy!

   FETTUCCINE ALL'ALFREDO
   (Egg noodles in the style of Alfredo)

•    1 lb, Fettuccine (I prefer dry, it holds up much better when time to sauté)
•    4 handfuls of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano preferred)
•    1/4 lb, Butter
•    1/2 pint, Whipping Cream
•    1 tsp. fresh chopped Parsley (fresh flat Italian Parsley)

  
  1) Bring ample (4 to 5 qt.) amount of salted water to a rolling boil, then add fettuccine.
  2) Slowly melt butter, and add cheese and cream which has been slightly whipped, and beat together, then set aside.
   Preheat all individual serving plates and forks.
  3) Place a large scope of mixture in a heated (but not too hot) large pot.
  4) When pasta is near done, (al dente') quickly drain and add at once to mixture, stirring constantly, then add the rest of the mixture, folding in at once, and serve immediately. Sprinkle generously with additional grated Parmesan, and fresh chopped parsley.
  Enjoy with a fine hearty red wine!

THE HOUSE OF CARLO
 

[carlo3b]

 
NORTHERN ITALIAN-STYLE PEPPERED CHICKEN

Plenty of black pepper is what makes this simple chicken dish so good. It's also terrific cooked on a grill.

•  2 3 1/2-pound chickens, halved, backbones removed, excess fat trimmed
•  8 tablespoons olive oil (preferably extra-virgin)
•  2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
•  Lemon wedges


1) Rub each chicken half all over with 2 tablespoons oil, then 1 1/2  teaspoons pepper. Sprinkle generously with salt.
Let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
Preheat broiler.
2) Arrange chicken, skin side down, on broiler pan. Watching closely to avoid burning, broil chicken 5 to 6 inches from heat source until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Remove broiler pan from oven.
3) Using tongs, transfer chicken to plate. Pour off any pan drippings. Return chicken, skin side up, to broiler pan. Broil until skin is crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes.
4) Turn chicken over, skin side down again, and broil until cooked through, about 8 minutes longer.
Transfer chicken to platter; let stand 5 minutes.
Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over
 Serves 4.

[maggief]

carlo,

Thank you so much for this thread and especially the Legend of the Christmas Spider. Years ago my mom made Christmas spider ornaments. She also included the legend with the gift, which I since misplaced. This is the first Christmas without my mom, AND my dear husband. We lost both of them this past year to cancer. I just wanted you to know that the spider legend warmed my heart and made today just a little bit better.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

maggie

[carlo3b]

LowCarb Roasted Red Snapper Vera Cruz

• 1 Red Snapper, filets 3 to 4 pounds,
• salt, to taste
• pepper, freshly ground, to taste
• olive oil
• 1 cup scallions, minced, both the green and white parts
• 1 tsp. garlic, minced
• 1 cup cilantro, minced (fresh coriander)
• 3 cups tomatoes, seeded and diced (canned are fine; drain them first)
• 1/2 cup dry white wine


Preheat oven to 450ºF.
1) Cut three or four vertical gashes on top side of the fish, then sprinkle it with salt and pepper.
2) Brush a baking pan with olive oil
3) Mix together all but 1 tablespoon of scallions, the garlic, 3/4 cup of the cilantro and the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
4) Stack mixture on pan, then lay fish over half of this mixture and spread the rest over the top. Pour the wine around the fish.
Roast for 20-30 minutes, basting occasionally with the pan juices. The fish is done when it begins to flake and is opaque clear to the bone. Spoon the remaining pan juices over the fish and garnish with reserved scallions and cilantro.
Serves 4

[carlo3b]

Bless you Maggie.. It's always warm and cozy in FReeperville, especially on my threads.. we're a bunch of ole (NOT OLD) softies.. KISSES from Zeke, my minature Doxy.. :o)

[Salvation]

Thanks for posting this. I posted copies on the Canteen and FR of the Day and then lost it -- probably deleted it! Now I know it's in a Christmas thread!

[jellybean]

History of the Jellybean

Jelly Beans, an American original

The great-great jelly bean ancestor first appeared in the 1800s, but jelly candies of one kind or another have been around for thousands of years.  "Turkish delight," a citrus, honey and rose water jell, has been putting smiles on kids' faces since biblical times.

Fast forward 2500 years. When the penny candy craze came along in America during the late 1800's, candy makers began experimenting with tricky sugar candies. The jelly candy inspired by Turkish delight was shaped into a bean and given a soft shell using a French process called "panning".

The first jelly bean was created by an American candymaker whose name has since been lost in time.

Although the penny candy boom waned a bit when America fell in love with chocolate in the early 1900's, there was a real chocolate shortage when most chocolate went to overseas troops during World War II. So patriotic Americans once again discovered their urge for non-chocolate sweet treats like the common candy store jelly beans.

The birth of the world's most famous jelly bean The idea was born in Los Angeles, just next door to Hollywood.  Yes, the home of countless famous movie stars is also the birthplace of "the original gourmet jelly bean."

Back in 1976, a Los Angeles candy distributor had an idea for a jelly bean made with natural flavorings. So he called up the candymakers at Jelly Belly (formerly known as Herman Goelitz Candy Co.) who had a reputation for making the very best candies.

Creating "true-to-life" flavors was, well, a natural evolution. The candymakers cooked up a recipe for a new kind of jelly bean -- intensely flavored throughout, with natural ingredients for flavoring whenever possible. In 1976 the first eight Jelly Belly flavors were born: Very Cherry, Lemon, Cream Soda, Tangerine, Green Apple, Root Beer, Grape and Licorice. Funny enough they are still some of the most popular flavors made.

The rise to the top, or, what a long, tasty trip it's "bean."

A furor arose when people tasted Jelly Belly beans for the first time. Wow, what flavor! Soon Jelly Belly became the favorite candy of President Ronald Reagan, who made the beans a staple in the Oval Office and on Air Force One. (President Reagan's passion for jelly beans inspired Blueberry flavor, which was cooked up so he could serve red, white, and blue beans at his inaugural parties.)  Diplomats and world leaders clamored to have Jelly Belly beans. And guess what? Jelly Belly was also the first jelly bean in outer space. Free floating, weightless  Jelly Belly beans were sent on the space shuttle Challenger in 1983 as a presidential surprise for the astronauts. Coincidentally it was the same mission that boasted another bit of history -- the first American female astronaut, Sally Ride.

more...

[carlo3b]

SO... that were you came from.. and that is why you are sooooo sweeet.. :o)