It's Christmas Eve and first of all, I'd like to wish everyone who celebrates Christmas, a blessed Christmas!
This was what I started my post with last night, but had no energy to finish it. The truth is, if you're making your Christmas goodies yourself, chances are, you run out of energy by the time the Christmas celebration begins.
It's the first day of Christmas today, so nothing is lost yet, every wish is still valid and I'd like to continue writing and publish my post today. This time I'd like to show you what I've been busy with the past couple of days.
Christmas is a family event and we like to keep tradition going, which means we cook our traditional dishes. Not because it's a must as no one is going to force us to do that, but because that's part of what Christmas is about, along with the religious meaning of it, of course.
This is why I always ask the family what they'd like for Christmas and usually I get the same answer each year, but this year only part of the family said they want the famous honey cake, some brave members said they'd like something new. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the old recipes (especially this one and you'll see why), but if I keep baking the same sweets every single year, how am I to learn something new?
So let's see what I've been up to in the kitchen 😀
The traditional soup for Christmas is chicken soup. Obviously it's not a must, you can cook whatever soup you'd like, or skip it as well, but I love chicken soup any day of the year, so it was not difficult to choose.
Stuffed cabbage can't be missing from the menu either. This specific dish is made with minced pork and ham (or pork ribs), but that's too heavy for me, so I made my own version with no pork and used only minced chicken. Swapping pork with chicken gives you a lighter dish. It is served with sour cream.
Next is this. Can you guess what it is? I don't think so :) This dish is called beef salad, but in fact has nothing to do with beef. It's made of the cooked vegetables from the chicken soup, like carrots, parsley roots, potato, chicken and it has pickled cucumber added and mayonnaise. I love it, but I need to take it easy as it's not a light dish and combined with the stuffed cabbage, can be a real killer. However, if you don't know this dish, you need to taste it as it's heavenly good.
This is the superstar of the sweets, when it comes to family preferences. This recipe is from my maternal grandmother's recipe book. I have no idea where she got it from though. Back in her day ladies wrote down a good recipe on a piece of paper, then copied it into their recipe book. My mom loved it and now it's on me to keep the tradition going as I'm the only one in the family who bakes this cake. When I say keep the tradition going, I mean bake it if it is requested and trust me, it is requested each and every time there's something to celebrate.
Why is this cake so special? It is called honey cake, because it is made with honey. But the real charm in it is the combination of sweet - sour flavor given by the sweet semolina cream and a sour jam, which is my special, homemade raspberry-currant jam. I'd say it's easy to make, but it's only easy for those who have a bit of experience as with honey, you need to work fast because once the dough starts to cool down, the honey makes the dough hard and you can't roll it out. However, it's not rocket science, you get the hang of it after the first or the second attempt. Totally worth it, trust me.
And this is the new entry this year, a cake called Teddy cake. Over the years I have bought and have been gifted a number or cooking and baking books. Most likely every lady has a few, but the truth is, when we need something, the fastest and most efficient way to find a recipe is to search online. This way those nice and expensive books have been staying on the shelf. Till now.
When I was given green light to create something new, I took out a recipe book I got from my nephew, who is the same person who asked me to bake something new and started browsing it. The truth is, there are a lot nice recipes in the book but I wanted something easy, simple and healthy as well, as I didn't want us to end up in a diabetic coma.
This cake is called Teddy cake because it has a special ingredient, which is chicory coffee, which in Hungary (the recipe book was issued in Hungary) is called Teddy coffee. The dough contains the chicory coffee, the cream has a small quantity of ground nuts and the top has a nice layer of dark chocolate, sprinkled with ground nuts.
I was a bit nervous as I don't like to experiment with new recipes when there's no room for error, but have no reason to complain this time. Everyone was satisfied with the result, even me, so I think this Teddy cake will be regular from now on.
It's the first day of Christmas, so again, I'd like to wish everyone Merry Christmas, and if you don't celebrate it, then happy holidays and all the best.
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Aaaaaaaarrgggghhh I'm hungry and why did I read this 😂
Now I want the whole honey and teddy cake! I think I can eat 2 whole cakes now 😂
Seriously, I want to try making the honey cake but it seems it's a bit challenging because you need to have fast hands and as you say, needs experience.
And oh, merry Christmas!
Lol, I guess this was payback for all those food posts you have posted that made me hungry, remember? 🤣
Ok, jokes aside, I wish I could send you some, but first someone needs to invent teleportation. Till then, you can try making it at home 😎
Merry Christmas Witty 🤶🎄🎁🥂
Hahahaha I hope I can make it at home since teleportation isn’t a thing yet for this era 😅 Or maybe you need to come here and make it for me 😂
Lol, one day I'm gonna visit Japan for sure, but I'm not at that level yet. The flight would cost an arm and a leg 😜
On a second thought, I just checked, it's not even so expensive. Would be around $1k. But the bullrun is coming next year, so ... no time to go to Japan 😕
You've been busy, Erikah. Soup is one of my favorite foods, and those sweets? 😋 Teddy and Honey are my special guests. 😂 I assure you they won't leave here in one piece.
Merry Christmas 🎁
I've been busy indeed but it was a good busy time. I'm glad you like the soup as most of the comnenters went for the cake. But you can have some of the cakes too 😄
Merry Christmas dear @nanixxx 🤶🎄🎁🥂
🤗✨
I have eaten so much that my stomach is in open protest. 🙄
Lol, kinda feel the same, so I think I'm gonna go on hunger strike for the next week 🤣
😂😵💫 Mine has already begun.
Merry Christmas!
The beef salad is nice and a little scared of the short future it will have.
Merry Christmas @bluemoon! 🎅 🎄 🎁 🥂
Looks like you know what's good 😄
Beautiful your Christmas decorations, I love the soup in particular and your dessert was very tasty for sure. All for the family. ☃️🎄🥰
I'm really glad to know you like them.
Merry Christmas 🤶 🎄 🎁 🥂
Greetings @erikah I hope you had a nice Christmas with your loved ones. 🥰💚
Those cakes you made look super delicious, I hope you and your family enjoyed them a lot. I hope someday you can share the recipes with us. 🙏🏻
Greetings to you too @milagroscdlrr! I had a nice Christmas indeed and I hope you had a nice time with your family and friends too. 🧑🎄🎄🎁🥂
The cakes had a huge success, everyone loved them. I need make them again and post the recipe as there was no time for that now.
Thank you very much! 🤗❤ I'm glad you had a nice Christmas, and I'm also glad that everyone here liked the desserts.
I will be looking forward to those recipes hahaha! 🙏🏻
I would go for some of that honey cake and the Teddy cake too but I'm a sucker for tradition. Merry Christmas 🎄
Lol, looks like the cakes are the favorite this time.
Merry Christmas to you too! 🎅 🎄 🎁 🥂
Oh how I wish I could taste some Teddy cake. Chicory coffee got me interested because I have no idea about it. I found it comes from the roots of the chicory plant. Even more surprising it is a staple in New Orleans here. I may just try this as a coffee because of it's nutty aroma. As I was reading I couldn't help but to think about a Teddy bear, hehe. Hey there the same color, shades of brown 🤣😂🤣
Hope you had a great Christmas, mine was fantastic even though I didn't leave the house.
And how I wish I could send you some. Looks like chicory is the winner today and maybe my post made you try the "coffee" out. Don't expect a caffeine drink, but it's a nice substitute for cocoa in my opinion.
I bet you'd like the cake too 😏
Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 🎁 🥂
Yes the special ingredient made me reach outside to learn more about 😊 Looks like there are many benefits it provides as well. The best is it supports weight loss and improves gut health. I think this time of year that in itself is worth injecting some into ones diet. If anything it is a good source of fiber. I will get some and give it a try.
I have a pack in my pantry, so most likely I'm going to have one tomorrow, or tonight? 😏
👍 😊
@erikah Wow - I love the ornaments. The Beef Salad intrigued me. Reminded me of the Pudding cooked by Rachel in FRIENDS where she mixes up two receips because of stuck pages. LOL 😀 Then I read the explanation that it has actually cooked veggies and has nothing to do with Beef. Whew...
Thanks for sharing your lovely experience and Merry Christmas...
Yes, it has nothing to do with beef as my soup was a chicken soup, but it tastes just as good.
Merry Christmas to you too 🎅🎁🎄
I am inviting myself to have this delicious dinner next year. Darn, I have to put your home on my wishlist just to have these delicious foods. The honey cake looks so tasty... I hope you had a great time with your family...
Lol, my home as travel destination, that's a good one! 🤣
I'm glad you like these dishes, everything was delicious and we had a great time indeed. I hope one day you get to taste these goodies :)
Greetings @erikah, you have been very busy in the kitchen preparing the Christmas dishes, in fact they look delicious, the salad looks good, my favorites are the honey cakes and Teddy cake; I would like to try them, I imagine a delicious and crunchy flavor.
Merry christmas!
Thank you @belkyscabrera indeed it was a busy period, but that's it's always like that. Looks like the teddy cake is the winner today as everyone likes it.
Merry Christmas to you too 🎅🎁🎄
Boldog Karácsonyt!!
We also had chicken soup, but not stuffed cabbage. It is my friend who is great at making it, I should call him and ask when he will prepare it :D
Áldott Karácsonyt nektek is! 🤶🎄🎁🥂☃️ Kicsit el vagyok maradva a kommentelésekkel.
Then tell your friend to hurry up with the stuffed cabbage as Christmas is almost over 😀
What did you have for main course then?
He invited us already a few months ago but we were so busy, both of us. Stuffed cabbage will come one day, even if Christmas passes. 😁
We had chicken and potatoes from the oven, zucchini sauce and asparagus :)
Aww 😍 that is delicious! Should have showed up on your doorstep for lunch on Christmas eve 😄
Your passion for baking shines through your words. Its inspiring to see how much effort you put into making Christmas special for your family. AHHH that honey cakes looks so tasty the combination of sweet and sour.
Homemade food is always better than what you buy or order, especially when it comes to special events. I wish I could send you some cake 😄
Antes que nada muy felices fiestas, totalmente comprensible la falta de energialuego en el lapso de las festividades, organizar la reaunion familiar, encargarse de los alimentos y que todos disfruten ajaja me ha pasado.
Y antes de que termine el año quiero agradecerte por los posteos tan interesantes que haces, sino hubiera sido por eso no me hubiera aventurado a explorar museos en mi ciudad.
Awww, Nitsu, my friend, thank you for the nice words and the wishes too.
Merry Christmas to you too and your loved ones as well! I'm glad my posts served for something good and that you're on a path to become museum and exhibition addict 😁
I'm looking forward to your amazing posts and Happy New Year to you, if we don't meet till the year end!
Can I get a bite😁
Open the window 😄
All those look very appetizing. I just had supper and I feel hungry again :)
I don't have a sweet tooth, but do love chiory based filter coffee. So that Teddy cake seems to be something I would love. Need to check it out.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry and Blessed Christmas from all of us too.
Thank you for the nice wishes. I wish you Merry Christmas and happy holidays too 😀
CAKES ! punks love CAKES !
Thank you!
Teddy cake looks lovely and makes me salivate. I wish I can have a taste
Lol, I wish I could send you a piece.
Greetings friend, what a great way to share that great day that is so special for everyone, where the most important thing is to be able to meet and be with the family, since moments like those are unique and will always be remembered. The dishes they prepared were incredible and it is the first time I have heard of them and now I would like to see how they are, without a doubt each family will have their recipe and way of preparing it. Success and continue enjoying Christmas.
You're right, in this day of age, when family members are all over the world, it's a privilege to get the whole family in one place.
The idea behind sharing the traditional dishes we have was to let others know too as every country, every region has its own traditional dishes for every occasion 😀
Merry Christmas 🤶 🎄 🎁 🥂
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Wow I love this cake. I wish to have it will me I will deal with it lol
You can make it at home.
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You decorated so well.
Merry Christmas dear!!!
Thank you @rikoy, Merry Christmas to you too 🎅🎁🎄
Really hard work man. Honey cakes are my favourites. You did well making all these recipes. I think I should call you a chef. By the way merry Christmas 🎁🎄
Thank you @mdakash62.
@mdakash62 you can stop calling me sir. I'm a woman.