Figgy Pudding and Other Treats

by valloryv on December 16, 2014

This year for our Christmas Eve dinner, I’m planning on stepping out of my comfort zone and doing something new. Instead of precut cookies from the refrigerated aisle, I’ll be preparing a yule log. This is basically a yellow sponge cake rolled into a log shape and filled with ganache or chocolate buttercream. The trick to this is the decoration. It should be frosted to resemble a log. I’ll take pictures and let you know how this turned out.

This sweet treat idea came as the result of searching through other Christmas meals or treats. Here are a few that I decided not to try.

Christmas Pudding – Oh, bring us a figgy pudding /Oh, bring us a figgy pudding /and a cup of good cheer The original recipe consisted of figs together with butter, sugar, eggs ,milk, rum, apple, lemon and orange peel, nuts, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. The modern day Christmas pudding is similar to this but you may find plums and other fruit. And of course if you serve it flaming, you’ll be a big hit!
Photographer: James Petts used under the Creative Commons Attribution License
Deep Fried Caterpillars – In South Africa, a Christmas Day delicacy is the deep fried caterpillar of the Emperor Moth. Mmmm, no…
KFC – In Japan, a popular Christmas Eve dinner is the special from KFC. In some cities, the special dinner must be ordered weeks in advance. If my family wouldn’t throw a fit, I could go for this.
Photographer: Kici used under the Creative Commons Attribution License
Mattak – In Greenland, a strip of blubber is wrapped in whale skin and is supposed to taste like coconut. I’m not sure that tastes like coconut.
Loksa Pudding – In Slovakia, this mixture of bread dough, poppy seeds and honey is flung onto the ceiling. The more loksa that sticks, the more luck the family will have in the upcoming year. I would do this but I wouldn’t throw on the ceiling.