Senior News December, 2001 Vol. 20. No.  12

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Senior Friends: Gifts of time, energy and talent are recognized

CSL: Seniors set priorities

We stand together: Local nonprofits could be inadvertant casualties of Sept. 11 horrors

Holiday spirit: Recipes bring memories, celebrate world cultures

Pick up a copy today! Better yet, subscribe and never miss an issue!

Holiday spirit
Recipes bring memories, celebrate world cultures
by Rachel Windsong

I went hunting for recipes connected with December's holidays, remembering when turkeys were only available for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Peeking in the oven and monitoring its browning, beating my sister to the liver when it was done, setting the table for company to the mingled smells from the kitchen were memories that have lasted a long lifetime and still bring a feeling of warmth, belonging and love.

Our special dessert was a loaf of chocolate cookies covered with a generous layer of whipped cream, topped with cut up maraschino cherries and pieces of walnut with the cherry juice dribbled over it-and repeated in three layers. It was made the day before the holiday so the flavors could blend. Since we only got it twice a year it remained the ultimate of treats.

Chanukah

December is also the time of the celebration of Chanukah for members of the Jewish faith. The holiday commemorates the reclamation of the Temple and the fact that a small amount of oil for the Eternal light, that always burns in a synagogue, lasted eight days instead of the expected one or two, while runners fetched enough sanctified oil to keep the light burning. Today children get one gift a day for the eight days of Chanukah and light an additional candle on the Menorah every night.

One of the favorite foods served during that time is Potato Latkes (pancakes). Nichole Barchilon-Frank, from Temple Beth El, gave me her favorite recipe for them:

Wash and grate 5 potatoes; soak, drain and dry. Grate 1 large carrot, garlic to taste and 1-2 onions and mix. Mix 2 eggs, 1/2 cup matzo meal, and combine with veggies. Fry large spoonfuls in olive oil (used to commemorate the oil in the temple), drain and serve with applesauce and sour cream. Serves 4.

Ramadan

For the Muslims the holy month of Ramadan started Nov. 17 and ends on the first night of the new moon in December with the holiday of "Eid." Ramadan commemorates the giving of the Koran to Buddha and is a month of fasting until night time when Eid is celebrated with a feast of many foods. Lelah Selad of the Muslim Mosque in Ashland, Oregon said the desserts are the most important part of the meal. She gave me her recipe for an almond cake called Bassousa.

1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
2 cups fine yellow semolina (cr. of wheat)
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
2 small eggs
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 350, use olive oil to grease an 8x12 cake pan. Mix dry ingredients with eggs, stir in water, mix with first ingredients into smooth batter.

While cake is baking, boil 2 1/4 cups sugar with 1 1/2 cups water and juice of a lemon for 10 minutes. When cake is done but still hot, spoon syrup on cake until it won't absorb any more. Score top in diamond shapes and put one whole blanched almond in the center of each diamond.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an African American cultural holiday celebrated Dec. 26-Jan. 1. It was created in the mid-60s by a professor of black studies at California State University Long Beach and has grown in popularity as a seasonal expression of African culture. Sweet potato pie and other "soul" foods are enjoyed during the celebration, said Nathan Smith, professor of ethnic studies at HSU.

Christmas

Christianity is a religion that has so many facets that tend to take a national expression-the wassail, turkey and trimmings, mincemeat and pumpkin pies, gingerbread men, stollen bread. Customs are based on a rich ethnic background.

One thing was common-everyone is looking forward to December and celebrations that include lots of food in endless variety. However you celebrate December, may your days include family and friends with much love and rich memories. Have a happy holiday.

Rachel Windsong lives in Eureka. Her e-mail is windstar@northcoast.com.