Still not decided on the Christmas menu? Marta Montanari lends a helping hand and finds five of the most delicious Christmas creations to cook to keep friends and family happy.
1) Beef Cawl
This recipe was very popular at the end of the 19th century, and even though soups are often considered an easy meal, this one requires a long cooking time but you won’t regret it!
INGREDIENTS
-4 lbs of beef or veal (can be substituted for turkey), cubed
-1/2 lb bacon, chopped
-2 oz butter
-5 litres of water
-1 turnip, chopped
-3 carrots, chopped
-1/2 leek, chopped
-1 head celery, chopped
-2 onions, chopped
-Blade of mace
METHOD
– Put all the meat and bacon in a stewpan already rubbed with the butter.
– Add half pint of water, the vegetables, herbs, salt, pepper, a blade of mace, and cover it. Let it cook until it’s covered by a thin layer..
– Add the rest of the water and cook it for 5 hours.
2) Traditional Christmas Welsh Goose Cawl
Goose were very common in the rural areas of Wales and was often used to create a cawl instead of a roast. You can accompany the goose with mash potatoes, gravy and present with buttery apples and root vegetables for a colourful touch.
INGREDIENTS
– 1 whole goose, chopped
– 3 onions, chopped
– Knob of butter
– Water to cover
– 1 Bay leaf
– Oatmeal, 2 handfulls
METHOD
– Take a large pan to fit the goose and the onions, slightly fried in butter.
– Cover with cold water.
– Add salt and a bay leaf. Let it cook for about 2 hours.
– Remove the goose and add 2 handfuls of oatmeal until you reach a consistency you like. Then add salt and pepper.
– Put the goose back and turn off the heat until you are ready for the meal.
The Christmas cake tradition comes from a time when dry fruit and oranges were an expensive treat only for special occasions. Indulge yourself with this recipe.
INGREDIENTS
– 200g glacé cherries
– 450g raisins
– 200g sultanas
– 200g currants
– 50g ground almonds
– 2 tbsps allspice, cloves & cinammon
– 1 lemon’s zest
– 75g pecans
– 250g butter
– 250g brown sugar
– 5 eggs, beaten
– 300g flour
– 2 tbsps black treacle
– 200ml sherry
METHOD
– Mix the dried fruits, lemon zest and nuts.
– Mix the butter and sugar until the consistency is light. Add the eggs and flour.
– Add the treacle and alternate between adding flour and sherry, leaving a smooth batter.
– Add the fruit and nut mix.
– Cook in oven for 2 hours and check, it may need 30 minutes more.
4) Traditional Welsh Christmas Eve Taffy
This night was known as Noson Gyflaith (Toffee Evening), when friends and family would get together to eat and await Christmas day with games, music and making Christmas taffy. It was a great way to make a treat that otherwise would be too expensive.
INGREDIENTS
– 110g salted butter
– ½ lemon’s juice
– 75ml water
– 650g soft brown sugar
METHOD
– Warm the water and add sugar until it dissolves.
– Add the lemon juice and the butter.
– Boil for 15 minutes and then drop a little piece into cool water.
– With dish a palette knife, start to shape it until you can handle it.
5) Pwdin Dolig
This is a must at Christmas time. This pudding is tasty, and extra decorations on it always get people into the spirit of Christmas.
INGREDIENTS
– 50g self-raising flour
– Pinch of salt
– 1 tbsp allspice, cloves & cinammon
– ½ tbsp ground ginger
– 125g breadcrumbs
– 75g currants
– 75g raisins
– 75g sultanas
– 50g candied peel
– 50g suet
– 125g dark brown sugar
– 2 eggs, beaten
– 150ml eggs
– 1 tbsp treacle
METHOD
– Mix the flour, salt, spices and ginger.
– Add the breadcrumbs, fruit mix, candied peel, suet and brown sugar. Then add the eggs, milk, and treacle and stir for a good consistency.
– Steam for 3 hours, and then again for one hour on the day it is being served.