Holiday Foods: A Round-Up

BY KIRSTEN ADACHI

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go.

Let’s be honest, it has looked like Christmas here since the day after Halloween.  I am OK with that for the most part, but the Christmas carols get to me. I like them in the context of December but I can really only handle them for a month. I’m not a grinch or anything, I listen to Christmas carols faithfully for 25 days…Anyway, back to talking about food.

I am pretty much a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas dinner. I don’t change it up because I am very satisfied with what I have. Plus, I have a potluck so others bring a variety. When I was growing up we had the same menu every year and we loved it. My mother perfected Christmas dinner and there was no need for variety. Actually, she wanted to try new things but my dad loves tradition and I guess it was too much to listen to his whining.

The menu

• turkey
• stuffing
• gravy (turkey drippings permitting)
• pumpkin pie
• gingerbread cake–You can sometimes find molasses and corn syrup at Kaldi Coffee or import stores. The one I buy is here on Amazon.
• hot wine or hot spiced apple juice

Every year on December 23 we do a Christmas dinner potluck and I make the above. I post a list of suggestions for what guests should bring and I make sure there is salad and mashed potatoes. We always have a good spread and a great time. One of the great things about living abroad is you can shape holidays how you want them. I just skip the parts of Christmas that I don’t like (materialism, materialism, materialism) and focus on what I do like (food and friends/family).

I’ve been trolling Pinterest for good ideas to make for parties I attend, or just for fun. Here is the shortlist. There is an ever-growing collection on my pinterest page so if you follow me I’ll keep Japan-friendly Christmas recipes coming your way.

Sweets

Strawberry tree brownie bites from Erica’s Sweet Tooth–these are sure to impress and I will be making them as soon as strawberries return to stores.

Holiday Spruce Cookies from Taste of Home–this would be great for kids and you could use vanilla extract and rice flakes if you can’t find corn flakes and almond extract.

Fill strawberries with cheesecake filling for a great snack (link is picture only) I would use this recipe for the filling.

These poinsettia cookies are a cute idea. Use that recipe or your favourite rolled white cookies.

These Christmas sugar cookies are a nice, colourful addition to a cookie plate.

Savory

This stuffed Italian loaf looks amazing. Have it at home or assemble and bake right at a party you are attending. Poppy seeds can be found in stores with big spice selections (in a little spice bottle). You could easily skip them for this recipe.

This avocado humus looks divine. Serve with cherry tomatoes and you have a healthy Christmas party stack.

This snowman pizza would be great for a kids party.

These mini frittatas would be great on Christmas morning or at a party. I often make them with soy milk instead of cream.

Crispy edamame look like a great snack for Christmas movie night.

I’d love to hear what you are planning to make for Christmas. Leave a comment here or on my Facebook page

If you are having problems sourcing ingredients please let me know by leaving a comment here or my Facebook page. I’ll do my best to help find a way to get what you are looking for.