If there is something that always makes me happy with the advent of Winter is Christmas time, i know, its part religion, part ancient habits and traditions, in the sense that the coldest and most gloomy part of the year is the best time for a celebration to raise everyone’s spirit.
And the best part of Christmas for me is the food… i know cliche on a food site ;D So let me crack open the archive and share some of my favorite christmas recipes that you can try at home, i’ll focus on the the recipes that i think are tastier and easier to follow 🙂
Sweet Christmas Recipes to Try at Home
Portuguese Aletria Doce or Sweet Angel Hair Pasta – This is a classic portuguese Christmas dish, i think its one of those sweets that like the “fatias paridas” sweet below only done really at Christmas, its a variation of a rice pudding but made with angel hair pasta or capellini pasta, there are 2 versions, one creamy and another very dense that you can cut slices.
Orange Pudding from Portugal – There are a ton of pudding recipes in Portugal, but i kinda like this kind of condensed milk pudding, i think the pure egg pudding are maybe too rich and this pudding is lighter with a hint of orange, its perfection!
Portuguese Deep Fried French Toast – Classic portuguese Christmas treat, i wouldn’t recommend all year round (very rich and fried), but one or two slices for Christmas, it’s highly recommended, it’s super simple and delicious, just follow the recipe and you won’t go wrong.
Portuguese Style Egg Custard – There is custard everywhere, what makes this special, i think it’s portuguese is a bit like french custard, its so simple that just makes it better, there are no additives and flours, it’s just infused aromatic milk and egg yolks, its delightful.
Migliaccio Creamy Italian Polenta Cake Pudding – This is more a Easter/Carnival kind of traditional cake in Naples, Italy, but i think its good for Christmas too (thats why i made if for Christmas), its soo creamy, thats why i say its half way between a cake and a pudding.
Souffle Cheesecake from Japan – Talking about creamy and soft, this Japanese cheesecake souffle é absolutelfy devine, everything is so sudtle, not too sweet or soft, just the right amount of creamyness, i love american baked cheesecakes, but this japanese version is on a league of its own.
Salty Christmas Recipes to Try at Home
Portuguese Style Roasted Octopus – Who doesnt love roasted octopus, its the best way to cook octopus and its very traditional type of dish in Portugal, with some roasted onions and new potatoes, it might look complicated but its a simple fantastic dish!
Deep Fried Battered Green Beans – This is a classic Portuguese snack, and its probably the origin or well inspiration for the Japanese tempura, its deep fried green beans in a batter, and yes its mind blowing, its eaten crispy just after frying but its also common to eat it the next day more creamy and cold.
Portuguese Roasted Codfish Casserole with Cornbread Crust – Portugal has a thousand ways to cood codfish this is just another delicious way of doing it hehehe, i like it because its a bit more friendly to kids since the codfish is already ready to eat without any skin or bones.
Pierogi Traditional Polish Filled Dumplings – Classic Polish, well Eastern Europe dumpling good for everyday or big parties like Christmas, i do like dumplings because you can go with classic fillings or whatever filling you want as long as its not too liquid.
Roasted Pork Loin with Chestnuts – Gotta love the “put everything in a dish and let it all roast” in this case its a nice pork loin with some veggies and chesnuts, i think i did it for the Saint Martins celebrations where its common to use chesnuts, but its good for any celebration.
And that’s it, hope you enjoyed the recommendations and maybe try one or two for your Christmas table, enjoy the holidays and until next time! ;D Ohhh ohhh and the main article picture is of a traditional portuguese sweet rice pudding also a very traditional Christmas sweet in Portugal 🙂
