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]

TO YOU KNOW WHO, thanks for the order of the "CLINTON LEGACY COOKBOOKS", I have signed them and they will be there ASAP, I know you will love them, FReeper are the funniest and best cooks on the planet... {{{{{BIG WET SMOOCH}}}}

How did we get here... let me count the ways....

PLEASE READ....

It has taken 2 years 3 months to produce this product. Over 1100 recipes were presented by 200+ Freepers, and another 34 Cookbook threads with thousands of posts to sift through, to accumulate 15 different categories of recipes, shopping, housekeeping, cooking, and baking tips. A small group of folks had to make suggestions, and conclusions, and come to aggreements Re: cartoons, links, sayings, comments, indexed, and original Freeper humor. All of this had to be discussed, culled, and approved, to begin the hard stuff.

Over that time, thousands of hours of IM's, E-mail's, telephone calls, fax's, FedEx's, UPS's, snail mail, and Freep mails had to be written, read, analyzed, considered and responded to. All of this had be completed before we could start editing, formatting, lay-out and page designed and proofed.

Thennnnnnnn, additional hours of discussions re: colors, sizes, trims, printer searches, specs, standards and quotes.  All of this time and efforts were expended by people that have talked, laughed, argued,  screamed, and yes cried, just to work as much as 18 hours a day, and more than a few all-nightsers. Many of these items costs were staggering, and neverending, and the toll became stressful and downright sad for the handful of folks that did this all for your enjoyment ...FREE.... GRATIS
JUST FOR YOU

Now it's here, in time for the holidays.

[Fawnn]

Have you or has anyone on the thread come up with any "soft drink syrup" recipes? (I really REALLY really want a recipe for Mountain Dew! LOL ... I can't use artificial sweetener, but I figure I can adapt the recipe to use Whey Low.)

[AppyPappy]

It sounds great but I don't do PayPal.

[christie]

Ooooooh, this sound good. I'd better start on that 2 mile walk now!

[carlo3b]

(LowCarb)AUTHENTIC COQ AU VIN

A true coq au vin is made with the master of the farmyard, The Rooster. If you can't find such a beast, use a good-size roasting chicken, and reduce the cooking time (cook it for about one hour, or until the meat is tender and cooked but not falling from the bone).

• 1 (6-pound) roasting chicken, or rooster, cut into 8 to 10 pieces
• 2 cups chopped yellow onions
• 2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
• 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 bouquet garni (1 sprig each of thyme and parsley, a bay leaf and a small celery stalk wrapped in cheesecloth)
• 2 bottles good red wine (I like burgundy or pinot noir)
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons cognac
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
• 8 ounces salt pork diced, or thick-cut bacon, diced
• 1 pound small white button mushrooms, cleaned
• Garlic croutons, optional

1) In a large container or plastic bag, combine chicken pieces, onions, carrots, shallots, garlic, bouquet garni and wine. Refrigerate overnight and up to 24 hours.
2) Remove chicken from the marinade, reserving marinade. Pat chicken dry, then season with salt and pepper.
3) Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, a few at the time, browning each piece on all sides, about 10 minutes for each batch. Remove chicken as it is browned.
4) Stir flour into the pan, then cognac.
5) Remove pot from heat, and carefully ignite cognac and cook until the flames stop (or simmer the cognac for 3 minutes to evaporate the alcohol). Return pot to heat.
6) Add reserved marinade to the pan and bring to a boil, scraping up any brown bits. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Place chicken pieces back in the pan. Partially cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Remove chicken.
7) Strain sauce, then return strained sauce to the pan. Whisk in cocoa. Cook uncovered for 20 minutes.
8) Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, render salt pork or bacon until crisp. Remove pork with a slotted spoon, and add to the sauce. Saute mushrooms in pork fat until golden. Remove mushrooms with a slotted spoon and add to sauce.
9) Return the chicken to the sauce and heat at a low simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with garlic croutons if you like.

You can skin the chicken to save a few calories.
Open another bottle of the wine you used for the braise.
NOTE: One authentic twist in the recipe below is the addition of cocoa powder, the secret ingredient for the best versions found in France.

Makes 6 servings.

LowCarb, copyrighted by Morelli Enterprises Inc.

[dennisw]

Well done!!!! Not the hamburger, your post!!! Good Christmas cheer and spirit. I'm Jewish but like the Christmas season and have zero problem with Christmas displays. In the public square and elsewhere.

Matter of fact we drove around the neighborhood last night checking out the displays and lights.

Christmas takes place during the darkest days of the year and helps us psychologically to get over the hump and look forward to spring with it increased daylight, warmth and plant growth. This "hump" can be serious if you don't have stores of food and a good autumn harvest. Winter presents the challenge of surviving in Northern climates. Thus, Winter made man's brains and intellect grow.

[carlo3b]

It sounds great but I don't do PayPal.

Not a problem, Freepmail me your address and I'll send you an address to pay by check.. I will send it out tonight if you wish.. Thanks big boy.. :)

[carlo3b]

LowCarb Holiday Apple Omelet

• 1 Tbls butter
• 3 lg. eggs (beaten with water)
• 1 med. dessert apple for 2 servings.
• 2 Rashers of bacon, cooked well and crumbled (optional)
• sprinkle of Splenda
• pinch of ginger
• salt and fresh pepper to taste

Simple and delicious - wash, dry, core and cut into segments. The finished flavor depends on the variety of apple you use, a cox is rich and sweet, a Granny Smith tart and excellent with bacon.

Heat a little butter or light oil in a frying pan and cook the apples on both sides over a medium heat until they just start to color, turn the heat up a bit, pour in 3 well beaten eggs mixed with a tablespoon of cold water.
Make the omelet how you like it - crisp or soft in the inside. For dessert sprinkle with Splenda and a pinch of ginger, or serve with crispy bacon and salad.
Final thought, cook some apples on their own, sweeten with honey and use to fill the omelet, sprinkle with icing sugar and glaze under the grill.
 

[Uncle Jaque]

Hey, Carlo!;

Re your recipie for "Rustic Pork Roast" - it looks delicious!

I'm assuming that you don't mind if we print it out and stick it to the refridgerator door in order to try it!?

But why, for goodness' sake, would we want to season a PORK Roast with KOSHER salt?
Se'lah.(?)

Your "Where is Christmas" Article, btw, is just beautiful IMHO. Thanks for sharing it!
Poigniant and melancholy, perhaps, but how timely and true!

Even though I have had my theological issues with the tradition of celibrating our Saviour's birth a couple of months after he was probably actually born and within a couple of days of the old Roman / Pagan Feast of Saturnalia, a post like yours wants me to don a Santa Clause suit and run up and down the streets of our Town "Ho-Ho-Ho"-ing up a storm just to see how many liberal Yuppies I can "offend" and infuriate.

Come to think of it, little groups of kids used to go around town singing Christmas Carols, especially for the elderly Folks in front of their houses and in the Nursing Homes ...

"Used to", that is.

With your permission, I'd like to send that article along to a number a Friends & Family Members who would be very unlikely to visit the Free Republic.

Man; that recipie has me salivating already !! {8^{P~

Thanx -- UJ in ME

[carlo3b]

But why, for goodness' sake, would we want to season a PORK Roast with KOSHER salt? Se'lah.(?)

Hahahahaha Good point! I guess you know that Kosher salt is one of the purest commerical version of the lifesaving substance. In this typical fragile rock configuration, it contains no iodine, and melts about 1/3 quicker into the recipe when heated.. thus tastes fresher.. my only beef with using it on pork..ha, is that for some unknown reason too many people think post is already salty, (a myth) so they are restrained from using as much as the recipe calls, and never enjoy the full flavor of the meal.

You are free to use any of my recipes in any part of your home as you see fit, or sent them to family and friends.. Women have been known to sleep with my Chocolate Cheesecake recipe.. sigh.. :)

TRY THIS BAD BOY FOR A GOOD MORNIN EYEOPENNER!!!!  I thought this might be a nice way to start your day...
for those who are kinda-like Atkinsing... LOL

Chocolate and Banana But Without Guilt Low Carb Pancakes

AS EASY AS 1-2-3

• 1 scoop of protein powder (of course chocolate flavored works best)
• 1 pre-package serving of splenda
• 1/2 mashed banana
• 3 egg whites
• 1/2 package of instant oatmeal (plain)
• 1 dash of cinnamon to taste


1) In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, (except cinnamon) and mix well.
2) Pour onto preheated sprayed skillet and cook until lightly browned.
3) Then flip and repeat on the other side.
Enjoy!

[Marysecretary]

AMEN. That's EXACTLY what happened. You can hardly hear a Christmas carol in the stores anymore. How sad for all of us. BUT with Christ in your heart, you can have Christmas every day. Mxxx

[Marysecretary]

When I was actively doing the antique shows, I used to love to do the Christmas one in Oneonta at the Elks Club, which was later moved to one of the hotels. It was such fun decorating and selling little goodies to folks who collected or were buying for someone else. It's the only thing about my past life that I really miss!

[ZULU]

The real spirit of Christmas is all around us, all year round. You won't find it in malls and department stores. Nor will you find it in most television shows, and least of all Hollywood.

Where you will find the real Spirit of Christmas is all around us, in Salvation Army Shelters, with the Sisters of Charity in India and other poverty spots, with all the hundreds of volunteers looking for Dru Sjodin in the Midwest, in the faces of all the ordinary people around us doing extraordinary things day after day for no personal reward.

That's the REAL Spirit of Christmas.

[Marysecretary]

We bought a tree last year that had lights ON it. Sooo much nicer, easier and keeps my blood pressure down.

[Marysecretary]

Thank you for that poem. I just lost my sister on Sunday, after a long battle with cancer and alcoholism, and I like to think of her as spending this Christmas with Jesus, her savior. Again, thanks. It's a comfort.

[lorrainer]

Bookmarking yet ANOTHER great thread from Carlo.

[carlo3b]

Holiday Ham with Fruit and Root Beer Glazed

BOILING AND SYRUP INGREDIENTS:

• 6  12oz bottles root beer (high quality)
• 1 red apple, sliced
• 1 green apple, sliced
• 1 cup red seedless grapes
• 1/2 orange, sliced
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• cracked black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp file (ground sassafras)

BOILING HAM:
1) Place ham in a heavy-bottomed black iron pot or dutch oven.
2) Surround the ham with apples, grapes, orange and cloves. Add root beer and dust with cracked black pepper and file. 3) Bring to a rolling boil and reduce to simmer. Boil approximately 1 hour and turn ham over and continue boiling until root beer is reduced to a thick syrup.
4) Remove ham and set aside. Continue to reduce syrup until it is the consistency of molasses.
CAUTION: Do not burn, or scorch. Remove syrup and place in a mixing bowl, allow to cool and reserve for later.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (5 - 10 pounds) smoked ham
• 1/2 cup root beer syrup (reserved)
• 1 cup Creole mustard
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup cracked black pepper
• pinch of cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• pinch of allspice
• pinch of ground clove

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
1) Place in the mixing bowl, all of the above ingredients except the ham. Using a wire whisk, blend all spices into the mustard mixture until well incorporated.
2) Place ham in center of dutch oven and coat completely with the sweet mustard mixture.
3) *Bake uncovered for 1 hour.
*Preparing a decorated the ham for the table centerpiece. Start by uusing a sharp paring knife to cut slits on eighth inch deep diagonally across the ham. Continue in the same pattern from the opposite side until even triangles appear from the cuts. Stuff with cloves and, using toothpicks, secure pineapple slices or fresh strawberries to the top of the ham before baking.
SERVES: 6

[carlo3b]

Christmas takes place during the darkest days of the year and helps us psychologically to get over the hump and look forward to spring with it increased daylight, warmth and plant growth.

Bingo.. A very Happy Holiday my FRiend..

Holiday Artichoke Bruschetta

• 1 med. jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
• 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
• 5 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 French baguette, cut into 1/3 inch thick slices


1 Preheat the broiler.
2 In a medium bowl, mix marinated artichoke hearts, Romano cheese, red onion and mayonnaise. Top French baguette slices with equal amounts of the artichoke heart mixture. Arrange slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
3 Broil in the preheated oven 2 minutes, or until toppings are bubbly and lightly browned.
 Also great, add spinach or tomatoes!
Will make 8 yummy baguettes

[carlo3b]

A trusted holiday treat, that can come in many sizes and flavors, Bruschettas. Start anywhere... here are a couple of great ones;

Bruschetta

• 1 French baguette
• 3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
1) In a small mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, oregano, and salt and pepper. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate.
2) Cut the loaf of French bread into 12 slices on the diagonal. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Reduce the oven's temperature to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
3) Spoon equal amounts of the tomato mixture onto the toasted slices of bread.
4) Top with slices of mozzarella. Place the pan of bread back into the oven until the cheese has melted just slightly and is oozing over the tomatoes, approximately 2 minutes. Serve immediately.
Makes 12

[carlo3b]

The real spirit of Christmas is all around us, all year round. You won't find it in malls and department stores. Nor will you find it in most television shows, and least of all Hollywood. Where you will find the real Spirit of Christmas is all around us, in Salvation Army Shelters, with the Sisters of Charity in India and other poverty spots...

Bless you ZULU, you have it.. The Real meaning of this Holy and Happy Christmas Season..