The other day Mr. Muse and I were chatting about what might make a good blog post leading up to the Christmas holiday. I’d been watching Food Network while on the treadmill and there was a show called “The Twelve Foods of Christmas” with the Holderness Family hosting. As they were rolling on through the various food items, I kept thinking “I’ve never had that”. So, without much further ado…a post about Christmas foods I’ve had… or had not.
Traditional Christmas Foods I have not eaten… Yet.
- Eggnog. Haven’t had it. Haven’t had it in any form. Really. Is it good? I know that it typically has booze in it, but… it’s it good? Would I like it?
- Yule Log. Nope. No cake in the shape of a log for me. Mostly because nobody has made it.
- Christmas Pudding. Honestly, I don’t know if I’d heard of it until I really got into reading old cookbooks, but even then, I didn’t have the mind to make it.
- Tom & Jerry. I’ve seen the mix on countertops, but I’ve never had one. As a kid, I always associated this with the cartoon, but somehow knew that’s not actually what the tub on the counter was about.
- Oyster Stew. So, once upon a time my sister and I bought a can of Campbell’s Oyster Stew in a fit of feeling adventurous. We heated up the soup with the requisite milk and… Damn. That smelled pretty terrible. Admittedly, we each tried a spoonful but couldn’t make it through the whole spoon. The contents went to the barn cats, who, if I recall correctly, eschewed the pan until it froze and we had to dump it out. Lesson: if the barn cats won’t eat it, you won’t want to either.
Traditional Christmas Foods I have eaten.
- Other typical, American Christmas dishes. All of them, even fruitcake. No need to list the rest here.
- Lussekatt (aka lussebullar), Swedish Saffron buns. Not my favorite, mostly because of #3. Also, gluten.
- Semla. When I could eat gluten… OH MY LORD! Sadly, this one is off the menu for me until or unless I find a good gluten-free version.
- Glögg. Which is fabulous and best served with slivered almonds and raisins.
- Other typical, Swedish Christmas dishes. Because Mr. Muse and I have a lot of Swedish friends, and when in Rome. Or Stockholm… You eat the herring. Or, the semla.
What is a traditional dish that your family insists is a “must have” for Christmas or any other cultural celebration this time of year?
And and Mom Muse would say: “Be good. Be safe. And if you can’t do that… at least be careful.”
Musings of the Amusing Muse 
I love your list! There really is something about traditional foods that bring up a lot of memories. Believe it or not the first thing that comes to mind is Cranberry Sauce in a can. There is something about this fructose corn syrup delicacy that makes me smile. Of course my palate has evolved, but it saved a little spot for some old favorites.
Your mom’s advice is perfect!
Deck those halls with love & laughter!
Thanks, Lisa! I think it’s all of those foods combined with people you (hopefully) enjoy being around. The cranberry-sauce-in-a-can is something, I too, enjoy. I’ll actually eat that or non-gelled varieties, but it always has to be on the table for one of our friends at Misfit Thanksgiving. I think it’s one of those things that was created when people figured out they didn’t like the pokey bits front the centers of cranberries – regardless, it’s good on leftover turkey sandwichs. 😀
Like you, I have never had eggnog. Have never cared to. Looks terrible, and sounds like a waste of good booze.
I’ve just always been suspicious of something that seems like it’s more suited for being the custard batter for French Toast, but yet… you’re supposed to drink it? Who knows – maybe I’ll try it this year? I have been feeling adventurous.
Oh gosh and here I thought all northern people liked eggnog. My northern wife certainly does but this southern boy can continue to live without it. My first taste was when I was a child and yes it was spiked with bourbon. However the bourbon wasn’t the deal breaker, just the taste and consistency did it for me. Plus I would also pass on the above listed foods with the exception of pickled herring, love that.
We are ditching the traditional Christmas foods this year and just doing snacks and finger foods with the kids and grands along with playing games and of course there is the opening of the Christmas excessiveness that happens every year.
Agree on being safe and careful. 🙂
I asked around and it appears more people do not care for eggnog vs those who like it. Admittedly, I caved to curiosity and got some, added the rum as seems common for these parts and… Meh. It’s not horrible, it’s not great. My stomach however promptly responded with “THIS IS A MISTAKE!” Thankfully, I didn’t have to pursue a refund – just not drink any more.
What, no Lutefisk? I would also suggest Julekake, but I’m pretty sure it has gluten in it. Anyway, I hope you and Mr. Muse have a very Merry Christmas.
LOL, Nope, no lutefisk. Honestly, all the Swedes I am “framily” (friends who you choose to be family) with don’t like it, so they’ve never served it. One of my extended Swedish framily members cannot eat gluten either, so I need to start picking her brain for some GF recipes.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas as well, John. 🙂
Of your list, I’ve only had eggnog. Love it. Never had it with alcohol though.
Our tradition is chili on Christmas eve. Just something that happened.
And my dad would always tell me when I was growing up, “Be good. If you can’t be good, don’t send ‘Little Johnny’ out without his galoshes…” 🙂
LOL! Wise words from your dad. Admittedly, I was really curious about eggnog, so I got some. My brain thought it was neither great nor terrible. My stomach, however, yelled that it was a mistake to drink it and I should not have any more. So I didn’t. Now, what do to with nearly a quart of nog?