Christmastime and Chirstmas Food

   I love Christmastime. The lights, the music, the decorations, and the general feeling of happiness in the air. Yes, I realize that sounds completely cliché, but its true. There is just something about this time of the year, that makes me feel happy -- whether it's putting up my Christmas tree with my family, or singing along (completely off key) to Christmas music on the radio. As the Christmas season comes upon us, so does the season of Christmas food. Christmas food and baking have always been a big part of the holiday season for my family.
   One of my favourte treats that my mom makes at this time of year is chocolate bark. My grandmother used to make it, and after she passed away my mom picked up the tradition.
   Chocolate bark is so delicious and really easy to make. It only has three ingredients: white chocolate, toasted hazelnuts, and dried cranberries. All you do is, melt the chocolate, add the nuts and cranberries and then spread it out on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. It takes a few hours in the fridge to let it set, and then you're done! You could also make it with milk, or dark chocolate -- pretty much any kind of chocolate you'd like. But my family always makes it with white chocolate, so that's the way I like it.
   Another food in my house that is associated with Christmas, is "Christmas cheese''. It's a type of cheese that my parents buy only at Christmastime. They've done this for as long as I can remember, and, to this day, I still don't know what it is actually called. It's a type of aged cheddar, that comes in a little red tub (like a cream cheese tub). The cheese itself is bright orange, and solid but crumbly at the same time. It's definitely one of the Christmas treats I look forward to every year.
   My family always goes full out with Christmas dinner. Turkey with all the fixings: gravy, potatoes, two kinds of stuffing (regular and sausage), green beans, brussel sprouts (which my aunts call ‘green bombs’), and cranberry sauce. We also have shrimp salad for a starter, and wide selection of desserts. Christmas dinner is always so delicious, and I love gathering with all my aunts, uncles, and cousins.
   Once I am on winter break I plan to do some Christmas baking and cooking. I will be posting updates about anything I cook or bake that is Christmas themed.



Until then,

Happy Holidays! :)