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]

 
LowCarb Almond Mousse Supreme

• 1 15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1/2 c. whipping cream
• 1 c. Tap warm water
• 1 pkg. plain gelatin
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Sugar sub to taste, one of many great new and old brands that are now plentiful.
• 1/4 tsp. salt

1) Mix cream with 3/4 c. of water. Place gelatin in the 1/4 c. water, soften and heat until gel is dissolved.
2) Place cream and water in blender then add all the rest of the ingredients and blend at least 5 minutes on the highest setting until like cream.
Divide into 6 serving dishes.

Top with whipped cream and a tsp of fruit or berry on the top is pretty.
3 grams carb per serving
 

[alfa6]

bttt

[carlo3b]

LowCarb Butternut Turkey

Butternut squash purée makes a delicious sauce component; it provides a sweet under taste and creamy texture.

• 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 4 green onions, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless turkey thigh meat, cut into 1 1/2" cubes
• 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced stewed tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup Butternut squash, pureed*
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 packet sugar substitute
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1) Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Cook green onions 3 minutes, until softened. Add ginger and cook 2 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl.
2) Heat remaining oil in pot. Brown turkey pieces in batches, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Return green onions and ginger to pot. 3) Stir in tomatoes, pumpkin puree, water, sugar substitute, salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, 40 minutes, until turkey is tender. Stir occasionally.
4) Add cilantro and cook 2 minutes more.

*Butternut Squash Purée

Butternut Squash is much sweeter than Pumpkin, and really is a treat, even if it has a bit more carbs than I wish.

• 1 1/2 pounds butternut squash, cut in half
• 1 cup water

Preheat oven, 350
1) Remove stem from squash, cut in half lengthwise and discard seeds.
2) Place flesh side down in baking dish and add water.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until tender.
3) Add more water if necessary.
4) Scoop flesh from skin and purée in blender or food mill.

[GrandMoM]

OOOhhhhhhhhhhhh GGeeeeezzzeeee, my husband just called me to meet him for dinner (low carb of course). I'll have to catch this thread later. Booo Hooooooo ............(;>(

[mylife]

Put me on that there list Carlo!
Thanks

[Soaring Feather]

Thoughts for the New Year


Hi sweetie, ROTFLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!


Where you been?? Did you tell us??

[Marie Antoinette]

Carlo3b, Christmas is at my house.

You're welcome to join us! We celebrate old-fashioned-like here. We even had an old fashioned tree cutting with the whole family last weekend, just like the last few years.

A couple of years ago, we even did a no-light christmas tree, just pretending it was a hundred years ago.

So c'mon over!

[Humidston]

Thanks for the ping and the great recipe, Carlo! And as a side note/tip: I let my broth cool, then ladel it into heavy duty ziplock bags, and lay them on their side in the freezer. Once that liquid has frozen, the bags are easily stacked to save space!

[ladyinred]

Carlo, come to my house! It is all Christmasy, and I am singing and playing carols already. At work this week, shoppers are looking for just the right gift for their loved ones and friends.

The beauty of being an antique dealer is that during this time of year, our customers come in knowing what they want! Their Aunt Sally collects snoopy figurines, or Uncle Bill searches year round for wood golf clubs. It is fun to help them find their treasures among all of the little cubby holes filled with yesterday. The items are happy too, cause they get to go to a new home and start life all over again! They thought they were all used up, but there is always someone who is out there wishing for them, remembering how much happiness they had brought them all those years ago. (yes, that is a professional opinion! )

I love this season, so maybe I refuse to see those who don't have the spirit ! I just assume everyone is happy about it! I wear my jingle bells necklace, hum or sing "Jingle Bells" as I go around the aisles in the store and make everyone get in the spirit! :-) So far it has worked, most people respond and are soon smiling and laughing and singing along. Or maybe they are scared of me? LOL!

[carlo3b]

Welcome aboard.. :)

 
LowCarb Country Bumpkin Cheesecake

• 1 pkg. Gelatin
• 1 C. Water
• 2 8 oz. pkg. Cream cheese
• 1 t. Vanilla
• 10 pkg. sweetener (I used 3/4 C. Splenda)
• 1 sm. can Pumpkin
• 1 t. Cinnamon *
• 1/2 t. Nutmeg *
• 1/4 t. Cloves *
• 1/2 t. Ginger *

1) In small bowl, combine gelatin and water and microwave for 40 secs.
2) In a larger bowl, mix cream cheese and sweetener and vanilla till smooth.
3) Add gelatin, water, pumpkin and spices and mix until smooth and thickened.
Refrigerate.
* (all of the above spices can be substituted with 1 Tbls of Pumpkin Pie spice)
Serves about 6 (I really can't remember... LOL.. blush)  <:|

 

[Miss Marple]

How glad I am to see this thread! My husband and I have been sick for the last three days, and I have been moping about how behind I am in Christmas preparations. In honor of your valiant effort to get us all in the Christmas spirit, here is a carol that my dad used to sing as he bustled around the house at Christmas:

[carlo3b]

GGeeeeezzzeeee, my husband just called me to meet him for dinner (low carb of course). I'll have to catch this thread later. Booo Hooooooo ............(;>(

Sure.. go ahead and leave us to cook dinner, alone, ..snif.. ;)

 LowCarb Portobello a la Broccoli Aliolo

• Large bunch of broccoli
• 3 Tbls extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• Kosher salt to taste
• Several cloves of garlic, chopped or mashed
• 1 med. onion, chopped
• 3 lg. portobello mushroom, cut into 1/4" slices
• 2 Tbls butter
• 1/2 cup dry sherry
• Season
• Red pepper flakes (optional)


Prepare Broccoli;
1) Wash, clean and trim off the stem of the broccoli. Peel it to beneath the fibrous layer, and cut into bite sized pieces.
2) Separate the head of the broccoli into bite sized chunks.
3) Place broccoli in a large skillet with the olive oil, water, salt, and garlic, and bring to a boil, cover tightly, and let steam until the broccoli is bright green and al dente tender (tender but a bit crisp) approx. five minutes. Keep skillet with remaining oils. Remove broccoli, and set aside.
4) Add butter to skillet, and melt. Add onions, (and red peppers) and sauté until soft, then add sherry, and mushrooms.  Sauté for 3-4 mins., boil off most of the remaining liquid.
5) Add broccoli to the mushrooms, toss, and coat, and reheat.
Transfer to a warmed serving platter.
Serve at once.

You can also mix this with cooked pasta (I prefer a tubular pastas, as penne or rigatoni), season it with red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese, or eat it as is.

LowCarb, copyrighted by Morelli Enterprises Inc.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Carlo,

A short story...

Mom came for Thanksgiving, I was worried about her visit, but figured, she could make the pie pastry, again, and then I wouldn't feel guilty that I never learned how! Well, she declined on making the pastry and told me to buy the store-bought (GASP! I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WAS ALLOWED!)

So, I did as told. Got out the canned pie filling, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, eggs, milk, etc... Mom said, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" I said, "I'm going to make a pie, with you." She said, "What is all that stuff? I have NEVER made pumpkin pie by having to add ALL of those ingredients, why didn't you buy the canned pumpkin pie mix?"

I was in shock... NEVER knew such a thing existed! But, now I can say, and Mom will agree, that I taught her how to make pumpkin pie! :) I FEEL REDEEMED!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[Revelation 5]

Thanks Seniram US
I copied your poem and sent it on to my mailng list.
The poem is so very true without Christ there is no joy in Christmas.

[boxerblues]

baccalà

thats one stinkin a fish....I will never forget that smell

[suzyq5558]

Carlo's what a great story.i have tears in my eyes reading it,i too have been wondering where christmas went.so this year iam determined to find it again.

[varina davis]

Carlo, beautiful Christmas sentiments. I also miss the Bethleham scenes in front of city halls and parks, and hearing church bells ring out the carols.

Let's bring Christmas back!

[uglybiker]

Every time I walk into a singles bar I can hear Mom's wise words: "Don't pick that up, you don't know where it's been!"

Sometimes I don't know which is worse: Not knowing where they've been, or knowing where they've been!

[GodBlessUSA]

Welcome Back Carlo3b!
I missed the pings!

I had an awful day shopping and decorating today. People were very rude in the stores today :( and the lights for the tree were out once I put them on, ugh. Try to find that one light once there up. One of those days...
This thread put me back into the spirit! :)