Monday, December 28, 2009

A Big Meal on December 25th


For some Jewish people, celebrating aspects of Christmas is a common occurance. Do a Google search on "Jews celebrating Christmas" and you'll find several debates on whether having a Christmas tree (or Hanukkah Bush) is acceptable. It's hard not to feel like you're missing out on something when everyone around you is preparing for Christmas.



Growing up, we celebrated Christmas because there have always been non-Jewish family members. Actually, we probably celebrated it more than a lot of Catholic families (we had all nine reindeer in our basement next to a manger scene, with so many presents that you couldn't even touch the tree) -- a slight glimpse into the insanity that is my family.

Nowadays, I go on a "we're Jewish and don't celebrate Christmas" soapbox starting about 1 month before Christmas. Inevitably, I still get "Hanukkah presents" on Christmas. It's a losing battle.

Never ones to miss out an opportunity to cook way too much food, here's the feast we had at Giz's place.

(the recipe toward the bottom of the post)

Yorkshire Pudding


Turkey



Stuffing


Salad


Potatoes


Challah


Cabbage Rolls


Brussel Sprouts



Giz will tell you about the desserts -- there were just as many selections of desserts as mains and sides combined. It's a good thing there were 7 of us The seven of us combined hardly made a dent in the food. StumbleUpon

10 comments:

kat said...

yup, that looks like Christmas dinner to me

Julia said...

As much as I begged and pleaded, we never had anything for xmas, not even a hannukah bush. Now I'm on the same band wagon as you -- though, we didn't cook any delicious looking feast like you (I'm intrigued by the cabbage rolls!!!) just thai food for dinner and peking duck for lunch. :)

Happy New Year!! Looking forward to seeing what comes out of your new kitchen.

Anonymous said...

I think we can just celebrate the good spirit of the world going around at this time, which will do no harm! so I hope you had a wonderful season and the the new year will bring you much joy!
Ronelle

That Girl said...

I grew up in a town where my brother and I were the only Jewish kids in our elementary school, and I was 1 of 2 Jewish kids in the Jr. High. We didn't do any sort of Christmas celebrations, but I did spend every Christmas with my friend's very Italian family, so Christmas feasts were 12 courses! Then I went and married a Catholic man, so now we celebrate both Channukah and Christmas.

FOODalogue said...

Looks like a splendid feast for 7...x 7!!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

You can never have enough combinations of food to please everyone...let the feasts begin.We still have New Yeqars to get through:D

rented life said...

Yum, it all looks so good. I'm not Jewish or Christian, and my family was sorely lacking in the food dept on Christmas day. A few appetizers and lots of junk food. My brother and I left hungry and a little sick. Looks like we should have joined you!!

I with Julia on the cabbage rolls...will there be a recipe coming?

PG said...

Julia/Rented Life -- the link to the recipe is just above the picture. Just click on the title, "Perogies".

elly said...

Whatever the occasion, it looks like some delicious food! I could especially down one or two of those cabbage rolls right now. Yum.

Dima said...

That looks like Ukrainian Dinner.

I was born there.

New follower of yours,you have great food posts.

LinkWithin Related Stories Widget for Blogs
Share/Bookmark