Delicious food for the holidays, try these 3 recipes!

Around the world, cultures celebrate many holidays in December. Within these celebrations there is an array of dishes that are traditionally only prepared for these occasions. Here are some recipes for three of those holidays:

With Hanukkah being celebrated for a week, there is a list of treats to choose from. Throughout this celebration, latkes, or potato pancakes, are classic. With over four thousand ratings and a score of 5 stars, this latkes recipe is taken from Food and Wine.

The ingredients include :

• 2 ½ pounds of peeled and coarsely shredded baking potatoes
• 1 medium onion, coarsely shredded
• 2 large beaten eggs
• A half cup of finely chopped scallions
• One-fourth of matzo meal (or regular flour as written by a review)
• 3 tablespoons of melted, unsalted, and slightly cooled butter
• 2 teaspoons of kosher salt
• Half a teaspoon of black pepper
• Half a teaspoon of baking powder
• Vegetable oil

Step 1 :
Place the potatoes and onion on a colander (over a bowl) and squeeze dry. For 2 to 3 minutes let the potatoes and onion drain.
After that pour out the liquid in the bowl and leave the starchy paste as the bottom. Add the potatoes and onion with the eggs, scallions, matzo meal, butter, kosher salt, pepper, and baking powder. Mix all those ingredients together thoroughly.
Step 2 :
In a large skillet, heat a ⅛ inch layer of oil until shimmering.
Spoon ¼ cup mounds of latke batter into the skillet with 2 inches apart. Flatten it lightly with a spatula.
With moderate high heat, fry the latke once every 5-7 minutes until crisped and golden. When done, put the latkes over paper towels to drain out grease.
Latkes can be eaten alone or with other dishes such as smoked salmon.

With a 4.55 star rating, Jo from JoCooks shares her Crockpot Honey Mustard Glazed Ham. This recipe can be served for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Ingredients :

• ¾ of a cup of brown sugar
• ½ a cup of honey
• ¼ of a cup of (tarragon) Dijon mustard
• ½ cup of water
• 10 cloves
• 10 lb. spiral cut ham

Step 1:
Add the brown sugar, honey, mustard, water, and cloves unto a small saucepan, over medium heat, and bring it to a boil. Stir the ingredients occasionally. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the glaze is fragrant from the cloves and mustard.
Step 2:
Place the (pre-cooked) ham in a large slow cooker. The cooker must be big enough to put the lid on top. Pour the glaze over the entire ham. Close the lid and cook on low for 4 or 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours. Baste the ham hourly with the glaze.
Step 3:
The ham will be ready when the internal temperature is 140 F degrees. Serve with the remaining glaze.

For Japanese New Years, Toshikoshi Soba is a dish with symbolism. The dish symbolizes a fresh start for the upcoming New Year. This recipe is available from the Japan Centre site.
Ingredients:

• 200g soba buckwheat noodles
• 100g spring onions
• 1.5L of bonito (or kombu kelp) dashi stock
• 200ml of soy sauce
• 100ml mirin
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 20g tempura flakes

Optional Ingredients :

• Tsuyu, 300ml
• Kamaboko fish cake, 150g

Step 1:
To make the soup for your soba noodles, first make your dashi stock in a large pan. Some recipes for dashi stock can be found in Japan Centre or RecipeTin Japan. The Shimaya Bonito Dash Stock can also be bought from Japan Centre.

Once made add the mirin and simmer gently for a few minutes. Add the sugar and let it dissolve before adding the soy sauce.
Step 2:
In a different pan add the water and let it boil. Next, add the soba and stir slightly. Make sure the noodles are spread out around the pot. Reduce the heat and for (approximately) 8 minutes let the noodles cook in a simmer.
Step 3:
Drain the noodles, then rinse them with cold water. Gently rub the noodles to remove any excess starch. Thinly slice the onions along with any other garnishes.
Step 4:
Gently reheat the stock and pour into bowls. Later, add noodles and garnish.

These 3 recipes help enrich the holiday season even more. Plus they are easy to make. Why not add a new holiday tradition to your menu and take it up a notch.