Try A New Cooking Tradition This Christmas

 This Christmas do something different. break away from your usual recipes and try something new. It's a fun way to experiment since it'll be just your family. Go wild. Have fun.

If you're used to traditional American fare, then think of other cuisines. If the family loves sushi, then why not make different rolls for the family to enjoy. All you really need is a sushi mat a small woven mat that you roll the rice and seaweed. Fill with such favorites as tuna , and crab adding in sliced carrots and avocados. . If you want you can add some tempura. The batter is easy to make.It's a simple mix of cornstarch and flour mixed with beaten egg and seltzer. Most of the time tempura is vegetables, but you can also dip shrimp in the batter and fry it the traditional way or in an air fryer. Be very festive and serve warmed saki as the drink.Thinking about something hot and spicy to warm up? Indian food is a great idea. Choose recipes from Diwali , the Festival of Lights. or Holi , the Spring festival. Try a pork Vindaloo a mix of stir  fried pork cubes zinged up with a masala paste, along with ginger, chilis and coriander paste. Another holiday special is biryani, lamb spiced with onion and garlic along with ginger. Yogurt is added for a creamy texture. Serve with warmed and crisp naan . What would you drink with this? Indian wine, which comes from various wineries around the Subcontinent.

If you have Northern European heritage, then go with Southern European dishes and vice versa. Southern Italian both here and in Italy fill their holiday tables with platter of homemade ravioli and lasagna. The kids would definitely appreciate a Christmas dinner like this. The North of Italy gives a much more complex cooking experience (It is where French cuisine originated). Try Vitello or veal in tuna sauce or a braised veal dish with various greens.Another dish is anchovies with the traditional salsa verde. On the other side is northern Europe with Germany which is really the birthplace of Christmas traditions.A hearty and delicious dish is sauerbraten , rump roast marinated with a blend of red wine, vinegar bay leaves and gingersnap cookies (yes!) along with sugar and peppercorns. Serve with the famed dumplings kartoffel  kloessen, made with russet potatoes and croutons or gingersnaps inside.  You could also have air fried bratwurst with sauerkraut for a more informal holiday meal. Scandinavian Christmas meals are often lush affairs. Think roast pork or roast duck served with red cabbage and brown sugar potatoes.

Break away from tradition this Christmas. Try an entirely different cuisine for the family. It'll not only be fun but delicious too.