Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Traditional Ukrainian Christmas

This year, as always, we will be celebrating Christmas with my FIL up north. He has been ill for some time, suffering from COPD, and there have been a couple of times that we have almost lost him. This Christmas, I have decided to make it extra special for him. I have pulled out all of my Ukrainian blood, and spent 3 days (solid), cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I have made buckwheat holobtsie (cabbage rolls), rice holobstie, Nalysnika, and my traditional cabbage rolls. My hit this Christmas was this:
Yup. Braided bread. My first attempt at bread, at making anything with yeast in general. It turned out fabulous! I had lots extra, so we have been able to sample it! MMMMMM, warm home made bread with butter. Is there anything better? As much as I say I would love a bread machine (and I still would!), this was a whole lot more fun than I had anticipated. I got to knead it for 1/2 an hour and it was pure therapy! Crazy, I know, but I have spent the past 2 days rolling cabbage rolls, so this was such a treat!!! I can't wait for everyone to get together and celebrate. I am so excited!
Merry Christmas to you all. I wish you an abundance of health and happiness this Christmas and all the year through.

2 comments:

Deborah said...

It looks delicious! Have a wonderful Christmas!

Mama D said...

That looks like amazing bread! Well done!