Yule
Recipes
Apple
Dumplings
Butternut Squash
Orange-Cranberry Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
Soft Gingerbread
Ginger Cakes
Moravian Christmas Cookies
Moravian Scotch Cakes
Acorn Squash and Sweet Potato Soup
Stollen
Sweet Potatoes and Cranberries
Roast Loin of Venison with Cranberries
Wassail Punch
Wassail
Yule Moon cookies
Yule Log Cookies
Apple Dumplings
2 cups flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp. Shortening
1 cup milk
6 apples
sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Pare and core apples. Sift flour, baking powder and salt; cut in shortening, add milk and mix to smooth dough. Turn onto floured board and divide into six portions. Roll each portion large enough to cover one apple. Place an apple on each piece of dough; fill with cinnamon and sugar; wet edges of dough and fold over apple. Place on greased baking sheet, and bake at 350° until apples are tender (about 40 minutes).
Butternut Squash
2 Butternut Squash, halved with seeds
removed
Margarine or Butter
Salt
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup honey
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
4 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
Preheat oven to 400° F. Place squash cut side down on greased shallow baking pan. Bake uncovered about 45 minutes or until fork tender. Wipe cut surface with a little butter and sprinkle with salt. Return to bake cut side up about 10 minutes longer or until browned and soft. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Scrape out he squash into a mixing bowl. Add sugar, honey, ginger, pumpkin pie spice and butter. Beat with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Put in buttered casserole. Return to oven, covered, for 30 minutes.
Orange-Cranberry Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
1 orange
1 4 lb. roasting chicken
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 lb. sweet potatoes
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup whole berry Cranberry Sauce
2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
Preheat oven to 375°. Grate rind from orange (don't include the bitter white part). Rinse chicken & pat dry. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and 1/2 the grated orange rind. Place, breast side up, on a rack in large roasting pan. Roast for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, pare & cut the sweet potatoes into 1 inch slices, then toss with olive oil. Place in single layer in the bottom of roasting pan. Continue roasting 1 hour & 45 minutes, turning potatoes occasionally & basting chicken & potatoes frequently, until chicken juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a fork and leg moves freely. During the last 1/2 hour of roasting, combine chicken broth, cranberry sauce and vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to boiling over medium heat; boil 20 minutes or until reduced to 1 1/2 cups. Peel white pith from orange, seed flesh & chop. Stir remaining rind & chopped orange into saucepan; simmer 5 minutes. Let chicken rest for 20 minutes before carving. Cut chicken in half lengthwise down the middle. Spoon Cranberry Sauce mixture over chicken and serve with Sweet Potatoes.
Soft Ginger Bread
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1/2 cup butter or other shortening
3 cups flour
1 cup milk, sour
2 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 eggs, well beaten
1 tsp. baking soda, dissolved in 1/4 cup boiling water
Cream the shortening and sugar, add the eggs and molasses, and mix well. Sift the flour and spices, and add alternately with the milk to the first mixture. Stir in the dissolved baking soda. Pour into well greased cake pan and bake at 350° F for 30 minutes.
Ginger Cakes
1 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
2 each egg, well beaten
1 cup molasses
4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. boiling water
1 tsp. ginger
1 pinch salt
Use a mixture of butter and lard for the shortening. Cream the shortening and sugar together. Add eggs and beat thoroughly. Add the molasses and baking soda (which has been dissolved in the boiling water). Sift the flour and ginger together and combine with the other ingredients. Mix well. Pour into well greased muffin pans and bake at 350° about 20 minutes.
Moravian Christmas Cookies
2 cups shortening
2 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 quart molasses
8 cups flour
1 Tbsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. baking soda, dissolved in 1 tsp. vinegar
Use a mixture of butter and lard for the shortening. Sift the flour and spices together. Add sugar and mix well. Work in the shortening with the finger tips or with a pastry blender. Add baking soda and molasses and mix thoroughly. Chill. Roll very thin on floured board and cut with fancy cookie cutters. Bake at 350° F about 10 minutes.
Moravian Scotch Cakes
1 1/2 cups butter
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups flour
2 tsp. caraway seeds
Mix the flour, caraway seeds and sugar together. Work in the butter with the finger tips until well blended. Roll out about 1/3 inch thick on floured board. Cut in small squares. Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 325° about 15 minutes. When cold, cover with boiled icing and sprinkle with colored sugar.
Acorn Squash and Sweet Potato Soup
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 1/2 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (5 cups)
1 small acorn squash, seeded and cubed
13 3/4 oz. chicken broth
4 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. white pepper
1/4 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp. sliced almonds; toasted
ground nutmeg
Sauté onion in oil in large saucepan over medium heat until onion is golden, about 8 minutes. Add potatoes, squash and broth. Simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. Cool slightly. Working in small batches, place the vegetables with the liquid in a blender or food processor. Whirl until pureed. Return the puree to the saucepan. Stir in milk to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Heat over low heat. Remove to heated bowls. Top each serving with dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of almonds and nutmeg.
Stollen
1 1/2 cup milk; scald, then cool to
lukewarm
3 1/2 yeast; dry envelopes
3/4 cup water; lukewarm
3 cups flour, sifted
1/2 cup eggs; yolks, lightly beaten
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
10-11 cups flour, as needed
5 cups currants
1 1/2 cups almonds; chopped or slivered
1 cup citron; chopped
1/2 cup lemon; rind only, grated
2 tsp. rum
Milk should be cooled to about 100°. Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water and add 1/4 cup of the cooled milk and 3 cups sifted flour. Cover the sponge with a cloth and let it ripen until bubbles appear on the surface and it is about to drop in the center. Pour the remaining milk over the sponge. Add the egg yolks, sugar, and salt and beat until the ingredients are well blended. Add 1 cup flour and beat well. Blend in the butter. Add more flour gradually to make a smooth dough, or until 10 to 11 cups have been added. Some flours absorb more liquid than others. Knead in the currants, almonds, and citron, along with the lemon rind which should be mixed with the rum. Knead the dough until the fruits and nuts are dispersed well through it and it is smooth. Dust the top lightly with flour and let it rise in a warm place about 45 minutes.
Punch it down and let stand for 20 minutes. Divide the dough in half and knead the pieces until smooth. Let them stand for 10 minutes longer. Place one ball of dough on a lightly floured board, and with a rolling pin, press down the center of the ball, and roll the pin to and fro 4 to 5 times, pressing down all the time to make elliptical shape 6 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide. The center rolled part should be 1/8" thick and 4" long. Both ends should remain untouched, resembling rather thick lips. Place this rolled out piece of dough on a buttered baking sheet and brush the center part with melted butter. Fold one lip toward the other and on the top of it. Press the fingertips down near and below the lips, pulling somewhat apart. Give a pull away from each end, pointing them toward the lips. The shape should resemble a waning moon. Repeat the process with the second piece of dough.
Let the Stollen rise, covered in a warm place until they double in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours. Bake them in a moderately hot oven (375°) for 35 to 40. Do not over bake them. Cool them on racks. Brush them with butter and cover with vanilla sugar.
Sweet Potatoes and Cranberries
6 sweet potatoes
1 cup cranberry sauce
3/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp. orange rind
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 Tbsp. butter
1 cup cranberries
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
Boil sweet potatoes in their skins until barely tender. Peel, slice thickly, and arrange in a buttered baking dish. In a saucepan, mix remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, for five minutes. Pour over sweet potatoes and bake uncovered at 350° for 20 minutes or until glazed and hot.
Roast Loin of Venison with Cranberries
2 thick slices of lemon
2 thick slices of orange
2 slices of peeled fresh ginger
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 small bay leaf
2 cups fresh cranberries
4 lbs. boneless loin of venison, at room temperature
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
3/4 tsp. finely chopped juniper berries
2 cups dry red wine
2 cups beef or venison stock
2 Tbsp. cold butter, cut into pieces
Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish
In a medium non-reactive saucepan, combine the lemon, orange, ginger, sugar and bay leaf with 1 cup cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to moderate and boil, uncovered until syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cranberries, then remove from heat and cool. Transfer the mixture to a glass container, cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, stirring once or twice during that time.
Preheat the oven to 400°. Rub the venison with the olive oil, 3/4 tsp. of salt, 1 tsp. of the pepper, and 1/2 tsp. of the chopped juniper berries, pressing the seasonings into the meat. Set the loin on a rack in roasting pan and roast, basting frequently with the pan juices, until medium rare (135° on a meat thermometers), 25 to 30 minutes. Cover the venison loosely with foil and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.
Meanwhile, remove and discard the bay leaf and the lemon, orange and ginger slices from the cranberries. In a food processor, puree half the cranberries and half the liquid until smooth. In a medium non-reactive saucepan, boil the wine over high heat until reduced to half a cup, about 5 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the cranberry puree, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Strain the remaining whole cranberries and add them to the sauce with the remaining 1/4 tsp. each of salt, pepper and chopped juniper berries. Swirl in the cold butter. Slice the venison thinly (stir in any juices into the sauce) and serve with the sauce, reheated if necessary.
Wassail Punch
1 dozen apples; baked
1 cup water
4 cups sugar
1 Tbsp. freshly ground nutmeg
2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground mace
6 whole cloves
6 allspice berries
1 stick cinnamon
1 dozen eggs, separated
4 bottles sherry or Madeira wine
2 cups brandy
*Ancient England gave us the custom of "wassailing". It is based on the tradition of friends gathering in a circle, whereupon the host drinks to the health of all present. He sips from a glass of hot punch or spiced ale, then passes the glass. A special bowl was used as the vessel. As each friend raises the vessel, before sipping he or she proclaims the Saxon toast, "Wass hael!" meaning "be whole" or "be well". Although many versions exist, this one contains the symbolic ingredients: apples, representing fertility and health; spices, signifying riches and variety; eggs, a symbol of life and rebirth; as well as wine and brandy. This beverage is served hot, so plan on a heatproof punch bowl. this makes enough for a crowd. Just how large a crowd depends on your groups taste for rich, spicy wine drinks. Figure on at least 16-18 servings.*
**Cook's notes: This also can be made with a combination of beer and wine, preferably sherry, with roughly 4 parts beer to 1 part sherry. The resulting flavor is authentic to the Colonial period, but far less familiar to contemporary palates.**
Prepare the punch: Combine water, sugar, and spices in a large stainless steel, enamel or glass saucepan. Bring to boil over medium high heat, and boil for 5 minutes. Meanwhile beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks until light in color. In separate pans, bring the wine (and beer, if used) and the brandy almost to the boiling point. Fold the whites into the yolks, using a large heatproof bowl. Strain the sugar and spice mixture into the eggs, combining quickly. Incorporate the hot wine with the spice and egg mixture, beginning slowly and stirring briskly with each addition. Toward the end of the process, add the brandy. Now, just before serving and while the mixture is still foaming, add the baked apples.
Presentation: Serve in heatproof cups or punch glasses. Guests are welcome to take part or all of an apple.
Wassail (Non-Alcoholic)
2 quarts apple juice
2 1/4 cups pineapple juice
2 cups orange juice
1 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 (3-inch) stick cinnamon
1 tsp. whole cloves
Combine all ingredients in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes. Uncover and simmer an additional 20 minutes. Strain and discard cinnamon and cloves. Serve hot.
Yield: 3 quarts
Yule Moon Cookies
1 cup butter
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. grated lemon peel
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/3 cup flour
1 1/2 cup grated almonds (blanched)
1 tsp. vanilla
Icing:
2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 Tbsp. water
Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Add grated lemon peel, salt, flour, grated almonds, and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix thoroughly. Place dough in bowl. Cover and chill thoroughly. When the dough is well chilled; or the next day, roll out dough to 1/8" thickness and cut with moon/crescent cookie cutter. Place 1/2" apart on un-greased baking sheet. Bake in preheated 375° oven for 8-10 minutes.
Icing: While cookies bake, combine confectioner's sugar, vanilla and water. Spread over the tops of cookies while still warm, but not too hot, as icing will melt. Thin with additional drops of water if glaze is too thick. Allow cookies to cool.
Yield: 10 dozen cookies
Yule Log Cookies
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
red and green decorator icing
Preheat oven to 375°. In a medium bowl, beat the brown sugar and margarine until blended. Add the egg; beat until well blended. Lightly spoon flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices; mix well. Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half of dough with your hands to make two 10 1/2 inch logs; flatten slightly to 1 1/4 inches in diameter. With a spatula, place the logs 2 to3 inches apart on an un-greased cookie sheet. Dip a non-serrated knife in water; score each log diagonally at 3/4 inch intervals. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until set and no longer moist. Cool for 5 minutes. With a serrated knife, cut the logs at the scored lines. Cool completely. Decorate each cookie with decorator icing to resemble a holly leaf and berries.
