Food and Drink to Celebrate the Holiday Season

How To Make Tamales | Gimme Some Oven

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Chili is also a big deal during Christmas time.  But as I explained in another post, Texans use any excuse to prepare a big pot of chili.  

People love making their own tamales.  But they can be bought already made in the local grocery stores: chicken, beef, or pork.  Haven't seen any ready-made vegan tamales, so here's a recipe.

I was introduced to this tradition by my Cuban friends.  I won't roast a pig myself, but I'm not going to lie … I won't refuse a piece if it is served to me at a holiday dinner.  This might not look appealing but the smell and the taste are irresistible.  Unless, of course, you're vegan or vegetarian or you don't eat pork.

I was introduced to this tradition by my Jewish friends.  Turkey is the traditional bird for Christmas in the USA.  But brisket is often served to celebrate Hanukkah.

Ask people what their favorite Hanukkah treat is and many will say potato latkes.

Certain relatives say that the Thanksgiving holiday is always disregarded because people jump from Halloween (Oct 31st) TO Christmas (Dec 25th).  It's kind of true.  But I don't want to skip over it.  Because … I would be crazy to skip dessert!  LOL.

Based on my family traditions, there are two food items that only appear during the Christmas holiday.  One is fruitcake.  The other is eggnog.  You either love it or you hate it.  I'm not even going to discuss fruitcake.  But eggnog merits a little discussion.  People have gotten creative and they don't just make the eggnog drink.  They also make cakes and other desserts.  So even if you don't like to drink eggnog, you might like gluten-free eggnog cupcakes.

Happy Holidays!!