Christmas around the world..........

[HappyMartin]

How could I forget scones. Warm scones with fresh cream and strawberry jam.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by Slite

We have a similar tradition, but it's related to the "Risgrynsgröt" which is a porridge made from rice. What you do is you peel an almond and put it into the porridge, and the person who gets the almond will get married during the coming year

I thought the person who got the almond wouldn't have to eat the porridge.

[Slite]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I thought the person who got the almond wouldn't have to eat the porridge.

One would think so yes, but actually, it's quite tasty:

Risgrynsgröt

4 servings

1 ½ dl grötris (round grain rice)
3 dl water
1 tablespoon butter
½ teaspoon salt
7 dl milk
1 quill of cinnamon bark
1 almond

Measure the rice, salt and water and let it come to a boil. Stir and cover with a lid, leave boiling on slow heat for about 10 minutes.

Add the milk, butter and one or more pieces of the cinnamon, stir and let it come to a boil again. Leave the porridge on a slow boil for 40 minutes without stiring. If the porridge after 40 minutes is to loose, let it simmer on slow heat for another 10-20 minutes.

Serve with cold milk, ground cinnamon and brown sugar.

[Sparrow]

That's interesting, does rice have a long history in Swedish cuisine?

[Slite]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

That's interesting, does rice have a long history in Swedish cuisine?

Not really, I dont think it started to get popular here until the 50's or so. Before that it was mostly potatoes. And we don't consume a whole lot of rice normally, I think the average is like 4 kilos per person and year.

At our place however, we consume a lot more than that as I love rice and use it whenever I get a chance.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

I think I"d like to spend Christmas in the UK just once to taste their food. How exotic!

I LOVE (love ... love ... love) English cooking!!! I was in hog heaven when I was there. And, any country that comes up with the idea of afternoon tea, is my idea of wonderful!

[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by HappyMartin

English cooking has a bad reputations but they make lots of fine things. English deserts, especially the hot ones, are wonderful and English breakfasts are the best if you are facing a hard day. Christmas mince pies, steamed Christmas puddings and trifle, yummy.

I'll also point out that Britain makes some of the best cheeses...

And I absolutely love Kedgeree.

And there are some wonderful pies, including the non-pastry Fish Pie (though it amazes me the number or recipies that it has....

I also think of Marmalade as British, especially in the truly divine form of Hot Marmalade Pudding.

<pause>

Excuse me, I seem to be drooling somewhat.... I'd better stop now.

[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by HappyMartin

How could I forget scones. Warm scones with fresh cream and strawberry jam.

The cream should ideally be clotted. (cute scone picture if you follow the linky.)

(which is also useful if you come under trebuchet attack, but this isn't a silly thread...)

[mjh215]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

(which is also useful if you come under trebuchet attack, but this isn't a silly thread...)

All threads are silly, some just haven't realized it yet...

-MJ

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

And there are some wonderful pies, including the non-pastry Fish Pie

There's also stargazey pie if you don't mind being looked at disapprovingly by what you're about to eat.

[zelda_pinwheel]

oh my god i'm suddenly so hungry i think i may starve to death before i manage to make my dinner. stop talking about food.

(mmm... scones... however i want none of that stargazey pie :shudder:, except to quote this sentence and giggle : "The dish in question is Stargazy Pie, a traditional pie from Mousehole (pronounced Mouzul*)")

*of course it is.

edit : hey, look at that ! 8989 posts ! that's a nice number.

[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

except to quote this sentence and giggle : "The dish in question is Stargazy Pie, a traditional pie from Mousehole (pronounced Mouzul*)")

*of course it is.

Don't argue with the Cornish, though whether or not it is because clotted cream (and jam and scones) has jammed up their mouths is a unknown...

[Daithi]

OK, I'm American of Irish decent and we have the standard open the presents Chritmas morning and have a big turkey and ham meal with the extended family later in the day.

But, my girlfriend is of Italian decent and they do things different. They have a huge dinner on Christmas Eve that is comprised of 7 different courses of fish. I didn't think I'd like that much fish, but it was really good. Really Good.

Here is a cute story too. My girlfriend has a 5-year-old nephew, and his parents had stayed up until wee hours of the morning wrapping a few remaining presents, putting together toys, and getting everything just right. The next thing they know, they wake up with their son jumping on their bed and just full of excitement and glee. In one of his hands he was holding one of the toys that they had bought him, and then they realized he had unwrapped it. Sure enough, when they went downstairs they found that while they were sleeping their son had already been downstairs and unwrapped ALL the presents Santa brought him.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

Don't argue with the Cornish, though whether or not it is because clotted cream (and jam and scones) has jammed up their mouths is a unknown...

well i can't think of any better explanation.

[mjh215]

I thought everyone might enjoy these images of Christmas around the Globe... http://www.philly.com/philly/living/.../35662694.html

-MJ