Here is a dish that is a little on the exotic side for most of us in the US. Why not give it a try, it actually sounds delicious. When cooking the brisket there is two things to keep in mind. Cook it long, and cook it with the fat. Since the meat comes from the grainier forequarters of the steer, slow cooking is required to tenderize it.
Okay we’ll start with the ingredients. This will give you 8-10 servings:
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
One 5-6 pound brisket
Salt and pepper to taste
2 apples, chopped (about 2 cups)
1 cup dried apricots, halved
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried plums, pitted
12 cups apple juice
1-2 cups canned beef or chicken broth
Now lets prepare the brisket:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Brown the onions, garlic and ginger in the oil until the onions are golden. Then scatter the mixture in a roasting pan.
3. Season the brisket with salt and pepper and gently lay it on top of the onions. Add the apples, apricots, dried cranberries, dried plums and enough apple juice and beef or chicken broth to almost cover the brisket. Cover the roasting pan with a lid or aluminum foil and cook for 3 hours, basting occasionally.
4. Remove the brisket, cool, and refrigerate overnight.
5. Just before serving, reheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the brisket is still cold, skim off any fat that has accumulated on top of the juices, and slice off the excess fat from the meat. Slice the meat against the grain, place in a baking dish with the reserved juices, cover, and reheat for about a half hour. Remove brisket to a platter, surrounded by the fruits and the sauce. Now all you need is your side dishes and you’re ready to eat.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Monday, December 17, 2007
An Exotic Christmas Dish, Brisket with Apricots and Apples
Poinsettia- the Christmas flower
There are number of flowers and herbs associated with Christmas like Mistletoe, Wreath,
Poinsettia. Of them , my favorite flora for Christmas decor is the last one, Poinsettia.
While the most common ones are the red Poinsettia with three to six blooms, there are other shapes, sizes and colors.
Lots of myths and stories are associated with this flower. These are actually native of Southern Mexico, Central America and Africa. The Mayan Indians believed that poinsettias are powerful creatures from another world while for the Aztecs the poinsettia was a symbol of purity.
According to a Mexican legend a child picked up some weeds from the side of the road as she could not afford a gift for Christ on Christmas. As she entered the church with the weeds, it blossomed into red and green flowers.
Tags: Christmas Flowers, Christmas flower ecards, Myth of Poinsettia, Christmas wishes
Legends about Mistletoe
Thanksgiving is just on day after tomorrow. I think everyone has finished preparations for it. I have completed my invitations and decorations. Actually there is not much to decorate on Thanksgiving day. Just the usual Autumn flowers in a vase and using the Thanksgiving special card holders and mats. There is hardly any myth associated with any flower, tree or shrub on Thanksgiving. Whereas in Christmas, I don't know how many myths and legends are there about different plants. The most famous plant associated with Christmas is perhaps the mistletoe. Hanging of a artificial mistletoe bunch at the door or at the room is a common scene in Christmas.
The most popular custom around this plant is to exchange kiss by a man and a woman that signifies their marriage in the near future and life long happiness. This event can b e traced back to the old Greek Greek festival of Saturnalia and later with primitive marriage rites. In Scandinavia, mistletoe was believed to be the plant of peace under which the enemies made peace and the quarreling couples kissed and made up. In the eighteenth century the English started the custom of creating a mistletoe ball under which a young lady cannot refuse to be kissed. Such kiss would mean deep love and everlasting friendship.
Even before getting associated with Christmas, mistletoe has been considered as a sacred and magical tree by the Greeks and other Europeans. In the medieval age, people used to hang mistletoe on the ceiling with this believe that it would keep away the evil spirits. Even the Europeans used to put it before the doors having such belief. It is quiet clear the association of Mistletoe with Christmas has roots in the Pagan rites and rituals. The mistletoe has number of other legends and folklores, but that is to be discussed later.
Mistletoe - some more facts & funny Christmas video
As I have promised I am here with some more information on mistletoe.
The plant itself is an interesting plant to the botanist for study. It is an partially parasitic as it grows on branches and trunks of other trees , but it can also make it's own food through photosynthesis. There are two types of mistletoe- while one type is the native of North America and are mainly used for Christmas decorations, the other type is European in origin with looks like green shrub with yellow, white flowers and berries that are said to be poisonous.
The Greeks and the Europeans considered mistletoe, specially those which grew on oak trees as sacred and magical. Most of us perhaps heard about the myths that the Druids in Britain believed. They considered mistletoe to be the miracle plant giving fertility and life to man and animals. After the winter solstice, on the sixth after the new moon, the Druid priest would cut the mistletoe from the oak tree with a golden sickle and would place it on a white cloth. A ceremony followed where two bulls were sacrificed and prayers were said for the well being of the mistletoe receivers.
Then there was the legend among the Viking people about Balder, the god of the summer son. Once Balder had a dream that he would die. His mother , Frigga was panic stricken and asked sky, air, water, animals and plants not to kill her son. But Balder's enemy Loki found that Mistletoe is not a plant as such as it has no root inside the ground. So he made a poisoned dart with the plant and made Balder's blind brother to shoot at Balder. When all the elements failed to bring back life to Balder, Frigga's tears changed the red mistletoe berries to white, restoring life to her son. Frigga then changed the bad reputation of the mistletoe and kissed everyone who worked underneath the mistletoe as a mark of her gratitude.
I have found a funny Christmas video about mistletoe. Here it is -
Counting Down to Christmas
There's nothing like getting an early start on your Christmas by decorating your whole place. I'm starting off my 'blog decor' with this cool Christmas count down widget. And of course the count down really starts right after Thanksgiving! I'm so exicted. I love the whole decorations, dressing up, and yes, even my grandma's badly designed sweaters for gifts. Hey, it's the thought that counts right?
So here's my Christmas countdown check it out!
Tags: Myspace Christmas countdown, Christmas countdown, Blogger Christmas countdown
Funny Christmas Jokes new
Christmas is the time to have fun with your near ones. Tickle the funny bones of your friends by cracking these funny jokes in the Christmas party and have a good laugh. Enjoy!
Why does Santa always go down the chimney?
Because it soots him!
What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
Snowflakes.
Why does Santa like to work in his garden?
Because he likes to hoe, hoe, hoe!
What do you call someone who doesn't believe in Father Christmas?
A rebel without a Claus!
What's red & white and red & white and red & white?
Santa rolling down a hill!
What nationality is Santa Claus?
North Polish!
What does Santa get if he gets stuck in a chimney?
Claustrophobic!
What would you call Father Christmas if he became a detective?
Santa Clues!
Where do elves go to vote?
The North Poll.
And finally here is a detail of the Clause family.
St. Nicholas is the main Claus. His wife is a relative Claus. His children are dependent Clauses. Their Dutch uncle is a restrictive Claus. As a group, they're all renouned Clauses. Santa's elves are subordinate Clauses.
Tags: Funny Christmas Jokes, Funny Christmas facts, Christmas jokes, Christmas fun, Christmas
Christmas gift ideas for grandparents and parents
So 10 days are only left for Christmas! The mood has already set in. On this weekend I am going to try out my hand in making a Christmas cake. I wish my first attempt in baking a cake turns out well. If it's going to be good one, I will share the recipe with all of you. Yesterday I completed buying the Christmas gifts for my grandparents. This year, for both of them I bought a lap writing desk.
After extensively searching the net for latest Christmas gifts for grandma and grand dad, I found some unique gifts that can be given on this holiday 2007.
Digital frames - This gift is for everyone of every age. Let your grandparents have a slide show of their favorite moments with you in the digital photo frames.
Computer books - Is your grandparents not so Computer savvy? Do they still get confused in sending the mails and chatting in the net? Then don't worry. Present them on this Christmas a tutorial book on Computer and Internet.
Battery operated letter opener - Today is the age of hi-tech systems. Why not give your grand dad or grand ma a lightweight battery-operated letter opener which is easy to handle and safe.
Photo album book - I think this a photo album book for grandma or grand dad is the most common Christmas gift. However, it can be personalized by engraving the name of the grandchildren of the old couple.
Giant pill box or pill organizer- Medicines are an integral part of the old age. So help your grand pa in remembering taking the pills and grand ma in organizing the medicines by giving them a giant box for pills
So, if you are still wondering what to buy for your grandparents, you can check these things out.
Tags: Christmas gifts for grandma, Funny Christmas comments, Christmas gifts for granddad, Christmas gift ideas for grandparents, Christmas gifts, Christmas greeting cards
