The History of the Christmas Cookie

Tis' the season...for baking cookies!  I don't know about you, but since I was a little girl I have always looked forward to the Christmas baking ritual.  I was wondering where the tradition of baking Christmas cookies came from and when the first Christmas cookie was made; here is what I found...

The term "cookies" first appeared in print in 1703. The history of the Christmas cookies goes back to 10,000 years ago when the Neolithic farmers used to bake food comprising of grain, water paste on hot stones and the cookies are believed to be the descendants of this food. Cookies are said to be the result of a devised plan associated with practicality. 

The origin of the cookies lies in the Medieval European recipes.  Lebkuchen (gingerbread) was probably the first cake/cookie to be traditionally related with Christmas. Cookies spread all over Europe by 1500. Therefore every house made or baked cookies in great amounts, which were either Lebkuchen or buttery spritz cookies. The people of  Sweden preferred Papparkakor (spicy ginger and black-pepper delights), while the Norwegians took to the liking of Krumkake (thin lemon and cardamom scented wafers). So it is seen that the cookies of one place was different in form and shape from another.


The Dutch people brought along with them the earliest Christmas cookies. Thus began the art of making delicious cookies. The word "cookies" which comes from the Dutch word "Koeptje" meaning "small cake", was first used by the people of the Persian empire of the 7th century, AD. The recipe books of the Renaissance period had abundant recipes dealing with cookies. As a result of the industrial revolution cookies began to get manufactured in factories. 

Visit www.christmas carnivals.com 

for more information on the history of the Christmas Cookie!

Next week:  Christmas Cookie Recipes!

A Simple and Delicious Thanksgiving Side Dish

Wondering what to make for a side dish to compliment that Thanksgiving turkey?  Here is one of our family favorites...

Corn Pudding

Ingredients:

1/2 stick unsalted butter

1-15oz. can whole corn, drained of water

1-15oz. can creamed corn

1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix

2 large eggs at room temperature

1 cup sour cream

3/4 cup white sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Spray an 8X8 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

3. Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

4. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.

5. Bake for 50 minutes or until the top is set.

6. Remove from oven and serve warm.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Have a Successful Turkey Day!

Thanksgiving is upon us once again and thus the preparation for feasting begins!  I remember growing up and going to my grandmother's house each year for Thanksgiving...the smell of the turkey cooking in the oven permeated the entire house with its deliciousness.  Years later, I got involved with the actual making of the Thanksgiving dinner. Here are a few hints I'd like to share to help you have a turkey day that you'll be thankful for...

*Spend the extra money to purchase a fresh, organic turkey - you'll be amazed at the flavor difference! (You'll never go frozen again.)
*Make a compound butter with lots of herbs - cut small slits in the skin of the turkey and place pats of the butter under the skin - rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the turkey - this creates a moist and flavorful bird!
*Skip the boxed Stove Top stuffing mix and create your own - there are plenty of delicious "dressing" mixes on the Internet.
*Stuff your turkey with aromatics...onions, garlic, lemons, fresh herbs.
*Salt and pepper the inside and outside of your turkey generously - this is a must!
*A fresh, 12 pound turkey should cook in about 2 and 1/2 hours at 350 degrees - no "turkey bags" necessary - just place your prepared turkey on a roasting rack inside of a large roasting pan and let it do its thing!
*The turkey is done when you cut between th leg and the thigh and the juices run clear.
*Once you remove the turkey from the oven, LET IT REST!  Make a tin foil tent over the turkey and allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes.  It won't get cold and the juices will redistribute resulting in a moist and delicious bird.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Next week....Thanksgiving side dish suggestions and a surprise recipe!

What is Culinary Concepts?

Culinary Concepts is the brain child of Dawn Veraldo, a generational, self-taught chef and former elementary school teacher... "This career just simply made sense for me - it combines two of the greatest passions in my life, cooking and teaching!  I have the knowledge to share and the patience to teach it."


Culinary Concepts is based in Gig Harbor, Washington and services the South Puget Sound area. 

We offer a unique concept in teaching our students, who are primarily home cooks, in the comfort of their own homes with their own tools and equipment.  Our classes are customized to meet the needs of the student(s) and are hands-on.

We teach cooking techniques, recipe perfection and how to entertain a crowd - everything a home cook needs to be successful!