As Thanksgiving came to an end and the holidays fast approach, I can‘t help the nostalgic feeling embracing my inner self. The holidays always makes me long for family, culture and tradition. For most of us it will be a little different this year. For me I won’t be doing my once a year family gathering. Brazilian Christmas traditional meal includes Turkey but if you like me, after Thanksgiving Turkey it will be at least another few months before I consider eating Turkey again.
Although there are many Brazilian traditions we will see at most Brazilian Christmas tables thing like pork, ham and turkey, depending what region in Brazil you are from you will have that little specific food you will have at your Christmas table. I think most of us have that special recipe one of our aunts or grandmother make every year. For me I have to say I have 2 special dishes no matter what I will have for Christmas and one dish I will always have for New Year.
I often wonder what most people that have lived in the USA for a while will cook for Christmas, for me after 20 years it is always a combination of dishes that I learned here and some traditional foods from Brazil. One Brazilian dish you will always see at my Christmas table is my version of grandmother’s cod fish balls and the other is what my American friends call Brazilian French toast ( Rabanada) so this is the one everyone in my family claims to make the best . One dish I learn in The USA although of English decendent is my go to splurge dish for Christmas is Beef Welingthon , which for those who don’t know is filet mignon, wrapped in mushroom, pate and puff pastry. Another dish I will have for Christmas is” chuchu” something I always eat in Brazil and found out it is also a southerner tradition dish and that is baked chayote and shrimp.
My article this month is dedicated to all of you out there that like me will miss your family this holiday and will find a way even if it is in the tinniest of gesture to celebrate your family, tradition and culture. Hope you all make some awesome family recipes, or drink your uncles special drink or say a family special prayer. What is important in the end is to keep our spirits , hope, love and joy alive.
Don’t forget if you superstitious like me on New Year’s Eve, eat a grape for each month so every month will be a lucky and also lentils to bring you wealth and prosperity.
Happy Holiday! Stay safe & healthy. Until next time…
