Frugal Café Blog Zone

Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on December 2, 2011

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat,
Please put a penny in the old man’s hat.
If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny will do,
If you haven’t got a ha’penny, then God bless you.

~ English traditional Christmas rhyme

FOOD. GLORIOUS CHRISTMAS FOOD.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — time to wind down from the craziness and enjoy a Yuletide roundup of tantalizing Christmas food and drink photos and delectable recipes. I’ve been drooling non-stop while compiling and researching this special Christmas food/recipe edition, and am grateful one can’t gain weight by merely gazing upon fabulous food photos.

Time to start rockin’ around the Christmas tree… and planning for some bodacious holiday cookin’ as well, during this most joyous, beloved, and holy Christian holiday season. If you missed last year’s Christmas and holiday party food and recipe posts, here are the links:

Deck the Halls… Joyous, Glorious Christmas Food, Drink, & Recipes Edition

Special Christmas Eve Super Soups & Recipes Edition… Because Baby, It’s COLD Outside

When they’re available, recipes and recipe links will accompany select “Fab Food Friday Fotos,” with a guarantee that at least one, if not more, thrift-minded recipe will always be included.

Christmas Coffee & Biscuit | Photo credit: aspros, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Pear & Pomegranate Christmas Salad | Photo credit: Inspired RD, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

A festive delight for the eyes… the recipe for this colorful, fresh Christmas fruit and veggie salad — made with spinach, sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, thin red onion slices, pecans, and gorgonzola cheese — is posted at Inspired RD.

Christmas Stripes | Photo credit: wintersoul1, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Dinner, Pho Vietnamese Soup | Photo credit: franfeeley, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Stars Cake | Photo credit: adactio, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Veggies | Photo credit: chatiny girl, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook chatiny girl wrote this about her Christmas dinner veggies:

Brussels sprouts with butter and orange zest, supposed-to-be-glazed carrots and parsnips (didn’t quite work), both recipes from last year’s vegetarian Christmas Good Food. Sage and onion stuffing (using homegrown sage) from Falling Cloudberries by Tessa Kiros (I think). Roast Shetland black potatoes as per Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in the Guardian a few weeks ago. Just visible, Cranks spinach and cheese parcels for us veggies.

Christmas Peppermint Cream Cookies | Photo credit: microwavedboy, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Peppermint, oh yuuuum… Cookie recipe was provided by cook/photographer microwavedboy:

Peppermint Cream Cookies

Sift together:
* 3 c flour
* 1-1/4 tsp baking soda
* 1 tsp salt

Melt in a pot, then cool:
* 12 oz chocolate bits
* 3/4 c butter
* 1-1/2 c brown sugar
* 2 tbsp water

Add to chocolate mix after cooling a bit:
* 2 eggs
* The flour mix

Scoop by the spoonful onto nonstick baking sheet or parchment, bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.

Frosting (always makes more than you need):
* 3 c. confectioner’s sugar
* 1/3 c. butter
* 1/8 tsp peppermint extract
* 1/4 c. milk

Melt butter with 1 cup of confectioner’s sugar and mint. Alternate adding milk and sugar until all combined… keep on warm or it’ll seize up.

Christmas Eve Dinner: Jaslyn's Thai Beef Salad | Photo credit: avlxyz, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Appetizer - Goat Cheese in Herbed Olive Oil | Photo credit: Patent and the Pantry, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

The recipe for this mouth-watering herbed olive oil and goat cheese appetizer, adapted from a 1994 issue of Gourmet Magazine, is posted with more photos at Patent and the Pantry food blog, along with this commentary:

We have few Christmas traditions in my family. With all us kids grown up and no new generation to take our place, there are only a few activities we cling to during the holiday season. Gone are the days when we wrote letters to Santa and put out a plate of cookies. And we were never the type that gathered around the fire to listen to a parent read The Night Before Christmas.

But over the years we have created a few rituals that we still hold dear when the season finally arrives. The first is listening to Amahl and the Night Visitors – an opera about a poor widow and her lame son who are visited by the Three Kings en route to Bethlehem – while doing some Christmas baking.

A second, more recent, is watching the YouTube video of a house whose Christmas lights are coordinated to the operatically rock-and-roll Trans Siberian Orchestra’s Wizards in Winter – a song my mum and I both acquired permanently last year. This video, with its perfectly timed display of lighted Christmas trees and wreaths, never fails to bring on the giggles.

And third, and perhaps most important, we sit down on Christmas Eve and eat goat cheese doused in herb-and-garlic infused olive oil. With a lot of bread. And a glass or two of wine.

This custom is so tied to our Christmas, in fact, that when I made it once for friends at some point outside of the holiday season, my little sister got mad at me. The word ‘sacrilegious’ may have even been used.

Christmas Fish Dinner | Photo credit: orange.plastic, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Eggs Sardou on Christmas Day | Photo credit: cool.as.a.cucumber, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Eggs Sardou is a popular Louisiana Creole cuisine dish typically made with poached eggs, artichoke bottoms, creamed spinach, Hollandaise sauce, and spices.

No recipe was included with photographer/cook cool.as.a.cucumber’s photograph, so here are links to a few I found out on the Internet: one recipe is posted at Nola Cuisine, another one from chef Emeril Lagasse posted on Food Network, and yet another posted (without the artichoke bottoms) at Gumbo Pages.

Traditional Polish Christmas Soup | Photo credit: Joey Berzowska, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Brief description of this Polish Christmas soup from photographer/cook Joey Berzowska:

It’s ear-dumplings (like little dumplings filled with meat or meat/mushrooms or cabbage/mushrooms. It’s similar to Tortellini, but it is not the same.

1910 Gold Medal Flour Christmas Baking Advertisement, Good Housekeeping Magazine, December 1910 | Photo credit: clotho98, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

I adore vintage ads… this charming Christmas advert for Gold Medal Flour, with the Gibson Girl-esque model, is from a century ago.

Christmas Dinner: Roasted Chicken with Lemon & Rosemary | Photo credit: Kitchen Wench, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook Kitchen Wench described the cooking process:

We roasted these using Barbara Kaftka’s high heat method (500 degrees, no brining, no rubbing the skin with butter or anything) and they were finished cooking in about an hour. The skin was nicely crisped and the chicken was super moist inside.

Christmas Cinnamon Maple Pecans | Photo credit: Amy Templeton, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

These look amazing…

The recipe for cook/photographer Amy Templeton’s Yuletide cinnamon/maple pecan snack is posted at Craftzine.

Scotland Christmas Roasted Vegetables for Lunch | Photo credit: Ewan McIntosh, Filckr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Dinner: Pepper-crusted Pan-seared Steak Tournedos with Sauce Au Poivre & Herb-roasted Potatoes, Schwelmer Alt | Photo credit: existential hero, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Duck Stuffed Mushrooms | Photo credit: cayobo, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

I’m fascinated by this mushroom dish with diced duck — photographer/cook cayobo provided this easy recipe:

Duck Stuffed Mushrooms

* 6 Portabella Mushrooms – Reserve stems
* 1 cup cooked, medium diced Duck
* 2 large cloves finely minced Garlic
* 1 Tbs Vegetable Oil
* 2 Scallions – chopped whites
* 2 Tbs chopped roasted Almonds
* 1 oz. Cream Cheese
* 4 oz Goat Cheese
* Pinch Peprika
* Salt and Pepper to taste

Remove stems from Mushrooms, cut off and remove end pieces and chop fine.

Hollow mushrooms and reserve.

Saute minced mushroom stems and garlic in oil, then add duck to heat, but not recook. Set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to 350. Coat baking pan with oil or cooking spray.

In mixing bowl, add Cream Cheese, Goat Cheese, Scallions, Roasted Almonds, Paprika and cooled sautéed mixture.
Mix together completely.

Salt and Pepper to taste. Remix.

Fill mushrooms with mixture, place in baking dish and bake for 20 minutes or until filling becomes bubbly or starts to brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Gingerbread House, Displayed at Peddler's Village, Pennsylvania | Photo credit: listentoreason, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Chocolate Bark (Gluten-Free) | Photo credit: Elana's Pantry, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Recipe for this visually tempting, gluten-free Christmas Chocolate Bark is posted at Elana’s Pantry — here’s Elana’s description of this fabulous treat:

I am digging this yummy Christmas Chocolate Bark. Studded with rich pistachios, tart dried cranberries, and speckled with coarse chunks of salt, it’s a winner.

Fancy Romanian Chicken Salad for Christmas | Photo credit: pink hats, red shoes, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Cupcakes | Photo credit: ana_fuji, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Morning Espresso | Photo credit: paige_eliz, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Charity Food Delivery, Grand Rapids, Michigan | Photo credit: TheImageGroup, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Joulutortut, Finnish Christmas Star Pastries | Photo credit: hfb, Flickr, Creative Commons, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook hfb provided this recipe link for the Finnish pastries. These are a favorite in Scandinavia, tasty pastries filled with prunes. Here’s another joulutortut recipe link at Epicurious.

Christmas Roasted Rib Eye | Photo credit: cafemama, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Recipe and description of this roasted rib eye from photographer/cook cafemama:

Rib Eye, Roasted (and my recipe)

Instructions: salt and pepper liberally. Set in roasting pan. heat oven to 450 degrees F; cook for 20-30 minutes; reduce heat to 300 degrees F. Cook until thermometer inserted reaches 110 degrees, for rare/medium rare. Remove and let rest for 15-30 minutes, then slice into steaks.

The butcher at Pastaworks gave me the general idea, and then I see the VERY SAME recipe for prime rib roast (this is the same thing, minus the bones) in the Oregonian’s food day the following Tuesday. They didn’t even mention the availability of prime rib at Pastaworks! I wanted to call and read them the riot act, but I didn’t. Maybe I’ll email.

I served with a balsamic jus, essentially just a reduction of pan juices, beef stock, balsamic vinegar, and butter. would probably have worked better without pan juices.

Christmas Fruit Salad | Photo credit: beccaplusmolly, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Tiny Surprise | Photo credit: Sebastian Mary, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Description from photographer/cook Sebastian Mary:

Tiny surprise.

I thought it is the Christmas month, so I’ll do something related.

Lets see what we got here. Sponge, mascarpone, strawberries slices , strawberry jam, more cheese and sponge.

Happy December, mates.

Christmas Turkey | Photo credit: Chewy Chua, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Trees from Cinnamon/Orange Rolls | Photo credit: stepol, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Quick Christmas treat — info provided by photographer/cook stepol:

Open up a tube of those cinnamon or orange rolls and separate them. Unwrap a roll and form it into a tree as shown in the photo. Polly decorated them with jelly beans but would use fruit in the future (cherries, etc.)

Christmas Curried Chicken | Photo credit: Chris Campbell, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Klejner (Danish Donuts) | Photo credit: Island Vittles, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook Island Vittles provided the recipe link for this Danish Christmas dessert:

Klejner – Danish Doughnuts that are very big in my house at Christmas! Click here for the recipe.

Christmas Smoked Salmon & Salad | Photo credit: Mark Ryall, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Goodies in Nuremberg Bakery | Photo credit: Reinhold Behringer, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Zimtsterne | Photo credit: anna, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

No recipe was provided for these Zimsterne cookies, so here is the link to one posted at GermanFood.About.com, with this summary:

These “Zimtsterne” cookies are a very traditional part of the Christmas and Advent offerings to guests in Germany. Cinnamon and almonds taste great together. Many people buy them packaged, but they are easy to make and taste better than the store-bought. Handmade cookies are also appreciated as little gifts, or “Mitbringseln”, when visiting friends, too.

Christmas Vegan Dinner with Tofurkey with Sour Cherry, Port, & Brandy Marinade | Photo credit: Rain Rabbit, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook Rain Rabbit wrote this about the vegan Christmas dinner:

Vegan Xmas dins: Tofurky with sour cherry, port & brandy marinade, roast potatoes, sweet potatoes, garlic and onions, sausages wrapped in not bacon, cranberry & chestnut stuffing, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, peas and mushroom & red wine gravy = phew! www.tofurky.com/products/tofurkyfeasts.htm .

Christmas Brunch Bread - Brioche | Photo credit: jazzijava, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook jazzijava provided the recipe link from Yummy Smells food blog, and wrote this about her holiday brunch bread:

My mom’s awesome Filled Holiday Brioche on this morning’s brunch table… always a hit!

Christmas Dinner of Prawns in Sweet Chilli Sauce & Salad | Photo credit: Tim Riley, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Gloogi | Photo credit: Ross Mayfield, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer Ross Mayfield describes his Christmas gloogi:

The traditional Estonian Christmas drink with vodka, almonds, and raisins. You can get the mix at IKEA nowadays.

Strawberry, Raspberry, & Blackberry Christmas Tarts | Photo credit: Dave Patten, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Santa's Choice Winter Warmer Beer | Photo credit: Lord Lucan Lives, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer Lord Lucan Lives provided this beer info:

Santa’s Choice Winter Warmer
Naylors Brewery, Keighley, West Yorkshire

Tasting Notes: Naylors Winter Warmer is a beer made for the cool winter months. It is deep amber in colour and shows some lovely Christmas spice flavours. It is a touch sweet to start, with some dry earthy malt and hop notes towards the finish.

Christmas Truffles | Photo credit: Navaboo, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Chocolate lovers alert! Photographer/cook Navaboo shared this recipe for Christmas truffles:

Truffles Recipe

Ingredients:
1 package (8 oz) semisweet Baker’s chocolate, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup heavy cream (or whipping cream)
2 tbsp unsalted butter

Coatings: You can use your imagination, but these are the types I made:
Cocoa Powder | Toasted Coconut | Sliced Almonds
Crumbled chocolate (the stuff I used looked like this, except with white and dark chocolate.)

Place the chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, until it begins to boil, stirring constantly. Pour immediately over the chocolate, stir until all the chocolate has melted and it is smooth. Cover and place in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Place coatings in separate shallow dishes, with a spoon for each. With your hands (I recommend gloves, this gets messy), form the chocolate into small balls. Roll each one in a topping of your choice, spooning the topping over it until it is covered enough to pick up without melting on your hands.

Place finished truffles on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper, and keep in refrigerator until firm. Because of the fresh cream in this recipe, the truffles will stay only for about a week… so eat and enjoy! (oh, and be sure to keep them in the fridge for that week.)

Christmas Eve Italian Pasta with Red Bell Peppers & Peas | Photo credit: jypsygen, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Coquito, Puerto Rican Christmas Drink | Photo credit: orangejack, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

A popular Puerto Rican coconut eggnog beverage made with white rum, cloves, and other spices — this coquito recipe is also posted at Allrecipes:

Coquito Recipe

* 2 egg yolks, beaten
* 1 (12 fluid oz) can evaporated milk
* 1 (14-oz) can cream of coconut
* 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
* 1/2 cup white rum
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/4 tsp ground cloves
* 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
* 1 tsp vanilla extract

In the top of a double boiler, combine egg yolks and evaporated milk. Stirring constantly, cook over lightly simmering water until mixture reaches a temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Transfer mixture to a blender, and add cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, rum, water, cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla. Blend for about 30 seconds. Pour into glass bottles, and chill overnight.

Christmas Dinner of Fish Fillet with Chili, Pearl Liang, Paddington, London | Photo credit: su-lin, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Meringue Snowmen, Back Door Bakery, Silver Lake, California | Photo credit: megpi, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Christmas Eve Pistachio Lamb | Photo credit: ulterior epicure, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Elegant photo — a description and links were provided by photographer ulterior epicure:

Christmas Eve Main Course: Pistachio Lamb

Read about this Christmas eve dinner on my blog.

Pistachio and scallion-crusted lamb chops with twice baked garlic Parmesan mashed potatoes and dirty green beans. The plate is sauced with Cabernet sauce (which the mashers unfortunately soaked up by the time I took this picture).

This main course was paired with a Bodega Norton Reserva Malbec 2004.

Vintage Christmas Magazine Ad, Moirs Chocolate, Maclean's, December 8, 1956 | Photo credit: jbcurio, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Food photos selected and posted are credited and have Creative Commons-licensed content with some rights reserved for noncommercial purposes, unless otherwise noted.

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Past three months of Fab Food Friday Fotos posts:

Easy Leftover Turkey Dishes, Bacon Tart, Cinnamon Sake Horchata, Osmanthus Cookies, Orange Wine Roast, Bean & Tuna Salad, Tofu Stroganoff, Thrifty Recipes, & More

Meat & Potato Croquettes, Spring Roll Bento, Chocolate-Filled Mexican Wedding Cookies, Spinach Feta Pie, Veggies, Spicy White Pizza, Seafood Stew, Pumpkin Soup, & Thrifty Recipes

Categories: Business & Economy, Food, Drink, Frugal Kitchen Tricks, Holidays and Family, Religious Views, Social and Political Climate
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