An Exotic Holiday

 Christmas doesn't have to have traditional ham or turkey . If you want try something different. It could be a dish reflecting your heritage or from a cuisine you adore.Skip the turkey leg with gravy and explore what's out there.

This cold weather deserves a kick of spice. Asian and Mexican food can provide much needed heat. Indian food is loaded with delicious spices that make any ingredient sing.One dish that makes for a fun party meal is butter chicken or makhani. This is a relatively  easy dish to make., It's firstst creating the marinade and using Kashmiri red chili powder or smoky paprika. Garam masala along with ginger paste is used too. Greek yogurt is added to this and the chicken is marinated in it for twelve hours in the fridge. Tomato puree or tomato paste is mixed with cashews and water. It's then cooking the  butter sauce, redolent with cinnamon cloves and cardamoms.. Garlic paste and green chiles are also added.It's then cooking and straining until the sauce is free of any hard bits. The chicken can be grilled baked or air fried  and then added to the sauce. You could also make chicken Tikka masala, similar in some ways but spicier than the butter chicken. You could also buy a tasty array of samosas, veggie filled puffs at any super market like Lidl for a fun appetizer platter .

Mexico has its' own traditional Christmas dishes that anyone can make. Think  a holiday plate filled with carne asada. This can be made in a slow cooker, allowing you to create other dishes like salad or frying up cinnamon churros for dessert.it requires flank steak that's first sauteed in olive oil before it's transferred to a slow cooker.Onion and garlic are cooked up in the leftover olive oil until the two veggies are crispy. Add a mix of orange and lime juice along with vinegar, soy sauce and seasonings. This is brought to a boil and then added to the meat.It's slow cooked for four hours  until the meat is butter tender.Mole is a chocolate rich sauce with a savory and picky punch. It can be served on any meat for an elegant sauce.it's a powerful marriage of cocoa powder, tomato sauce.Onion, garlic and chili powder give this rich sauce its' kick. It's perfect with beef or chicken  but you could do a  turkey breast mole. Serve with rice or cornmeal to absorb the sauce. Mexico has so many perfect Christmas desserts. Churros is one , fried dough sticks coated with cinnamon sugar and then dipped in a dark chocolate sauce. There are also marranitos , gingerbread cookies baked in the shape of pigs - how cute- and capirotada, Mexican bread pudding . THis last is baked with cinnamon and cloves along with piloncillo - Mexican brown sugar. Cheese is added for a salty - sweet mix.

Christmas is an exciting time. Make non traditional dishes that kick up the level. They can be spicy and savory or spicy and sweet.It's up to you. HAve a good time in creating them

Meals Of Inclusion

Today is a day we should think of others ,  other nationalities, other religions ,and other beliefs The best way to do this is to have inclusion brunches , lunches or dinners. They can be held at your house or at the school or house of worship. It's not only a great learning experience but a great dining experience too,.

Planning an inclusion meal can be just with neighbors and even welcoming new ones onto your block. First think of where you want it; If you have a big enough house, you can hold it indoors.If the weather is still warm and sunny, then think about having it outside (and if there's a chance of rain, then clear out the garage and set up tables). Since the kids probably have mingled already at school, set up a table for them.Have the adults at another so everyone can meet and greet.As far as food, keep in mind people dietary restrictions. One idea is cooking the main meal such as grilled chicken  and have everyone bring a dish from their family's recipe box. These can be set family style in the middle of the table , where everyone can reach  and pass or buffet style on extra tables set in a row.. A fun  getting to know you idea is having blank recipe cards  and pens on every plate . That way people can exchange the recipes for the dishes they've brought. Also  food is a safe topic and it opens up a discussion than can include everyone no matter what their background is.

If you belong to your local PTA , float this idea to board members. A great idea of inclusion is having a food fair. or  an international fair. There can be booths set up that can featuring different finger foods  like samosas and satays, Have one or two tables that feature sweets and baked goods too. This is also a good teachable event so set up workshops where adults and kids can talk about everything from racism to bullying.There can also be games with prizes for the younger kids.If you're planning this, first decide where to have it. It could be the school gym, but if it's a beautiful fall day, spread it out to the playground. It's then writing down volunteers' names and the dishes that they'll make. Make sure it's an evenly balanced menu.You don't want to have all savory or all sweet. Another point to consider is people's strengths. Have them make what they're good at. That way there are very few disasters and mistakes. Also have the kids create a poster about the recipe and what it means to them and their families. Churches can do this too, at their Sunday lunches.Houses of worship can unite to  create an inclusion lunch or dinner.It's a great  way of having parishioners learn about other religions  from those who practice as opposed to learning about them from fanatics or politicians.

This day is a day of deep remembrance. It's also a day to think and plan an inclusion meal where we can learn about  others and tolerance. It starts with a plate of good food and good conversations.