CHRISTMAS EVE
Friday night (Christmas eve) is a 13 course feast of traditional Ukrainian foods. I don't think Australia has much traditon to share, so I am very happy to adopt!
As I sat down to the beautifully decorated table, I recalled the previous year. Attending the celebrations for the first time, I was terrified that I wouldn't like any of the traditional food. Yet, I was excited to be experiencing a tradition different to my own. Needless to say, the food was delicious and left me feeling like I would explode with any sudden movement.
Pickled herring and onion on pumpernickel bread. I need to remember for next year that this is the first of many courses and I should perhaps have just one (or two) piece of this so I have room for everything else!
White fish with a tomato and carrot reduction. So delicious. I had some the day after (there is an abundance of leftovers!) and I could have happily eaten bowls of the carrots!
Not a great photo but any how, this is white fish with a delicious herb crust created by Pete's sister.
Borsch (beetroot soup) with mushroom dumplings. For someone who doesnt like, what i define as, the dirty taste of beetroots, borsch is rather delicious. Mushroom dumplings on the other hand, they find themselves in Pete's bowl rather quickly.
Without a doubt, these little bundles of carby goodness are what I look forward to devouring the most! Varenyky - a type of dumpling which I think is traditionally of the potato variety, (above photo) but they come in all sorts of flavours - potato and cabbage, cabbage, potato and cheese, even sweet flavours such as cherry. They are cooked in butter and onions so probably not that great for the hips, but it is Christmas, so who cares!?
Holapchi - a rice and mushroom mixture wrapped in a cabbage leaf and baked. For someone who doesnt like mushrooms, (this was about 80% mushroom) I didnt find it all that appealing. I am one to try new things though, so I gave it one bite. Nope, sorry, I found the one thing that I dont like.
A very traditional dessert consisting of cracked wheat (I think it was), nuts, dried fruit and poppy seeds. Im a big fan, and im told it makes a delicious breakfast for days after.
CHRISTMAS DAY
The entree -
I love salmon but my continuous baking of it and sprinkling with sea salt saw me get tired of the flavour very quickly. This salmon on the other hand, was amazing. Marinated in a soy mixture and cooked in the webber, served on lettuce leaves with lemon juice. Bravo, Roman!
The main -
As much food as I could shove on a plate! The variety of food on Christmas day is much similar to what the Australian culture has to offer. Ham and turkey, salads, roasted vegetables, a delicious mango and coriander salad and those little onion tarts that I can never only have one of.
A lovely weekend with beautiful company.
щасливого Різдва
My goodness, so much deliciousness! Loved this little peek into Ukranian culture. So much seafood! That dessert sounds incredible, hope to try it one day!
ReplyDeleteHeidi xo