Having become acquainted a little with the New Year and Christmas traditions of old Europe, we decided to step overseas and talk about how our loved ones are celebrated winter holidays Americans.

Historically, the majority of the American population is Protestant or Catholic, so Christmas is celebrated as in Europe - from December 24 to 25. And, of course, this is the most important holiday. During the Christmas holidays, family and friends fly from different parts of America to celebrate this joyful holiday together. Just like in the movie Home Alone. On Christmas Eve, everyone gathers around a large table laden with all kinds of dishes.

Americans eat a lot and with pleasure, mainly beef and pork, much less often and not in all states - lamb. Used in large quantities traditional turkey, as well as chicken. But meat is a priority! This is perhaps the most main product in USA. By popularity from meat dishes The only thing that can argue is corn. In areas bordering the ocean, fish or seafood is often prepared, some of which blend so much with the image of the cities that they even become their symbols. For example, in Boston it is lobster. The most favorite way to cook any food is barbecue. It's hard to find a family that doesn't have their own grill. This especially applies to “single-story” America.

There are all kinds of grills: from stationary ones on verandas and personal plots to portable ones that you can take with you to some event, for example, at a tailgate party - a special kind of picnic that can be arranged in absolutely any place, even on parking lot. People open the trunks of their cars (hence the name), take out their grills, cases of chilled drinks, and relax culturally before going, for example, to a concert or game of their favorite team. Some people manage to “warm up” so thoroughly that they don’t even make it to the stadium :) They can also celebrate some other holiday this way: a birthday or Independence Day.

The list of dishes that Americans love and prepare is very extensive. Basically, it depends on what area you are in, and, accordingly, which country colonized this area. For example, in Louisiana the primary source would be french cuisine, in New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) - British and Western European, in Florida - Spanish. Modern cuisine is heavily influenced by Italy, Mexico, Thailand, Japan and China. Don't forget about the indigenous Indian population. As a result, an interesting phenomenon of American cuisine was born: on the one hand, it seems to not exist, on the other hand, it turned out amazing combination various cuisines peace. Imagine that the peoples of different countries took and combined all the best that has ever been prepared anywhere...

But back to Christmas... As mentioned, it's a big one. family celebration. They begin to prepare for it ahead of time. This mainly concerns the bulk purchase of gifts. The start is given by “Black Friday” - the day after Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving day) - the fourth Thursday of November. At this time, a series of promotions and sales are taking place across America. In some stores, shopping for goods on Black Friday resembles military operations. People come in the evening, some with tents or at least folding chairs, waiting all night to rush to the opened doors in the morning.

Many people complain that in the pursuit of gifts, the “spirit of Christmas” has long been forgotten; they are trying to resurrect this spirit, making films for adults and children, trying to remind them that Christmas is not only a tree, a lot of gifts and an abundance of food. Before Christmas, many schools hold plays. Municipalities and residents themselves decorate streets and houses with bright lights. Catholic churches host nativity scenes dedicated to the birth of the infant Christ. Christmas trees are decorated everywhere, children hang socks for sweets (where naughty children can get coals instead of candies), the whole family makes garlands from popcorn, bakes gingerbread houses, and makes snowmen. And where there is no snow, for example, in Florida, they make “snowmen” out of sand. It would probably be correct to call them sandpipers :) And Santa Clauses are cutting through the waves on the surf...

The most popular dishes on the Christmas table are Christmas ham, Baked Beef, Steak and Turkey. Served as a side dish mashed potatoes(Mashed potatoes) or baked sweet potatoes (Roasted Sweet Potato Yam), as well as corn (Corn), green beans (Green beens) and asparagus (Asparagus). And if you want to become a friend and favorite of all children, then there is nothing better than burgers, tacos or burritos. Drinks in colder states include Eggnog, Tom and Jerry, or Mulled wine, which are especially good when returning from skiing or snowboarding. And in warm weather, they will sedately sip Pina Colada. And, of course, there will be an abundance of all kinds of sweets everywhere: pies, cakes, gingerbread cookies and sweets.

If Christmas is celebrated on a grand scale in almost every American family, then New Year is not particularly celebrated. Rather, it's just an excuse to have a drink and maybe go to a party. But if on New Year's Eve you happen to be in New York and get to Times Square, then you can, together with the crowd (most likely tourists), count the seconds on a huge clock while one of the symbols of the city - the Big Apple - descends ( Big apple). Most Americans simply go to bed on New Year's Eve, and those who do celebrate the New Year usually watch a report from Times Square on TV. However, America also has its own New Year traditions: for example, making promises to do something in next year- go to Paris or quit smoking.

In conclusion, we want to thank all our friends who took an active part in the creation of this short note.

You can order most of the products for the American New Year's table in our online store, and we will deliver them directly to your home. This will significantly save your time, effort and money, because our prices are stable high quality, below the urban average, and delivery for orders over 4,000 rubles is free (within St. Petersburg).

Seafood

Crab dip

Garnish

Roasted Sweet Potato Yam Sweet potato(Sweet potatoes) or Yams (Yams) - a very popular vegetable in the USA - in one form or another, it will definitely be present at any festive table. We suggest you try cooking baked sweet potato(Roasted Sweet Potato) with rosemary in olive oil - a healthy and low-calorie option for fries.
Green beans Green beans with sweet bell peppers and balsamic vinegar are a very popular dish in the USA and Mexico. Bell pepper complements the taste of beans, and balsamic vinegar completes what he started, turning ordinary dish to a delicacy.

Main dishes

Christmas ham Christmas is an excellent occasion to indulge in a little indulgence (especially after the winter fast) and to have a real holiday for our taste buds. This magnificent piece of ham, exuding an amazing aroma, is simply bound to become the king of your holiday table! Do you want to keep all the traditions? Take a piece of toasted bread, put a slice of ham on it and add a little real Dijon mustard on top. What could be better!?
Baked beef This classic recipe very good for cooking beef tenderloin, boneless brisket or striploin. As a side dish, you can offer baked vegetables (potatoes, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, turnips or rutabaga), boiled or fried potatoes, as well as purees. Baked beef is a winning option if you need to feed a large group - the meat tastes amazing and looks great!
New York Steak New York is a city stunning with the many lights of Times Square and the silence of Central Park. A city overlooked by the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings. A city of theaters, museums and restaurants. A city that values ​​great food and especially... good steaks and BBQ.... This recipe is proof of that. New York steak with spicy sauce and mushrooms - tender, juicy and aromatic - true New York chic.
Baked beef with vegetables This recipe is especially good for cold weather. winter evenings and dinner parties. At the same time, the cooking process itself will require a minimum of effort from you. And the smell in your home will be simply fabulous!

Rack of lamb (Lamb chops) This classic recipe for rack of lamb will surely please meat lovers, especially those who prefer the degree of doneness “rare” (please, give me rare), that is, rare. >>
Burrito The burrito is a Mexican dish originating from Ciudad Juarez, located in the north of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Literally translated, its name means “little donkey.” Where did it come from? One of the stories of Mexican legend says that a long time ago, a man named Juan Mendez sold food on the street. To keep food from getting cold longer, he came up with an idea: wrap hot food in a tortilla, then the tortilla will help keep the heat inside. His new product was such a success that Juan had to buy a small donkey to deliver many tortillas at a time. People said, look "comida del burrito", that is, "food from a donkey." Since then, the word “burrito” has become the name of the dish.
Taco Frankly speaking, tacos, like burritos, are not specifically an American dish - they also came from Mexico. However, just as shawarma (or shawarma) became an integral part of Russian fast food, so tacos became an integral part of first American and then our lives. What's the secret? In ease of preparation and versatility, as well as in original taste. We would like to introduce you to another classic American cocktail, “Tom and Jerry,” without which Christmas in the USA is simply unthinkable, especially in the cold states. It owes its name to the literary heroes - troublemakers Jerry Hawthorne and Tom Corinthian, invented by London journalist and writer Piers Egan back in 1821 (“The Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn, Esq. and His Elegant Friend Corinthian Tom”). The names of the heroes became household names, as they began to call the English unruly youth, prone to fights and disturbing the peace. It is believed that these literary characters became the prototypes of the cat and mouse in the popular American cartoon series “Tom and Jerry.”
Pina Colada Pina Colada (Piña Colada Spanish) - everyone has heard the name of this cocktail, which is immediately associated with the warm Caribbean Sea, sun and beach, as well as siesta, fiesta and mañana in the best Spanish traditions. Delicious, aromatic, cooling and intriguing drink- a celebrity among cocktails, is national drink Puerto Rico since 1978. Its name means freshly squeezed, strained Pineapple juice. Actually, that’s where it all started, and only then rum was added (what would it be like without rum in the pirate Caribbean!) and coconut cream. Click "Add to cart" and all products will be added. (in the cart you can remove unnecessary ones and add other products)

The New Year is accompanied by a cheerful fizz of champagne, parties and midnight kisses. However, few people realize that New Year is meant for food.

As the new year begins its march across the planet, tables around the world are bursting with long noodles, field peas, herring and pork, symbolizing long life, money, abundance and good luck.

The details vary, but the goal is the same: to gather family and friends around the holiday table to celebrate the coming year.

We invite you to take a look at the cuisine of different countries to get acquainted with the traditions and find out what dishes are celebrated with New Year's holidays around the world.

Galloping John, American South

The main traditional dishes in the southern states of the United States are "Jumping John" - a bean stew with pork, field peas or beans, symbolizing money, and rice with cabbage and other green vegetables and cornbread, symbols of luck and money. The dish is believed to bring good luck in the new year.

The history of this dish varies depending on folklore, but today's version most likely originates in African and West Indian traditions and was brought by slaves to North America. The recipe for Galloping John first appeared in 1847 in the book Caroline Housewife by Sarah Rutledge and has been modified several times by professional cooks over the years.

Twelve Grapes, Spain

While Americans watch the fall New Year's ball in Times Square, Spaniards watch a broadcast from Puerta del Sol in Madrid, where revelers gather before the clock on the tower announces the start of the New Year.

Regardless of where the Spaniards celebrate the coming year - at home or in the square - they adhere to an ancient tradition: they eat one grape for every stroke of the clock. Some people prepare the grapes in advance - peel them and remove seeds - to make them more pleasant to eat at midnight.

The custom began at the turn of the 20th century among grape growers in the southern part of the country during harvest. Since then, the tradition has spread to many Spanish-speaking countries.

If you decide to celebrate the New Year in Madrid, then go to Puerta del Sol before midnight. The lively square, surrounded by bars, restaurants and shops, is a great place to celebrate.

Tamale, Mexico

Tamales, minced meat coated with salted corn kernels and corn husks and steamed, are a traditional Mexican dish prepared for any special occasion. But on Christmas and New Year it is the main dish on the table.

In many families, women get together to make hundreds of small tamales for friends, family and neighbors. It is often served on the New Year's table with menudo, a stew that helps cope with a hangover.

Residents of large Mexican cities will have no difficulty finding restaurants selling tamales on New Year's Eve. But foodies who want to try real traditional tamales head to Mexico City, where the dish is sold day and night on street corners. They can also be found in famous restaurants - for example, Pujol.

Dutch donuts Oliebollen, Netherlands

A traditional Dutch New Year's dish sold at Christmas markets is Oliebollen donuts. They are made from airy dough filled with raisins and currants and deep fried.

Those who want to enjoy donuts should look for small street trailers and Oliebollenkraams bakeries in Amsterdam.

Marzipan pigs, Austria and Germany

Austrian revelers on New Year's Eve - Sylvesterabend, or St. Sylvester's Day Eve - drink red punch with cardamom and spices, eat suckling pig for dinner and serve little pink marzipan piglets called marzipanschwein.

Good luck pigs, or Glücksschwein, made from sundries, are also popular gifts in Germany and Austria.

Viennese bakeries offer... great amount sweets in the form of piglets. Head to Julius Meinlto if you want to try piggy truffles, chocolate and marzipan in all colors, sizes and flavors.

Soba noodles, Japan

On New Year's Eve, Japanese families eat buckwheat soba noodles to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one. The tradition dates back to the 17th century, and the long noodles symbolize longevity and prosperity.

Another custom, mochitsuki, involves friends and family spending the day before New Year's Eve making mochi - rice cakes. Sweet glutinous rice is washed, soaked, steamed and ground into a smooth paste. Then small pieces are pinched off from the dough, from which buns are made, served later for dessert.

If you're celebrating the New Year in Tokyo, visit professional soba master Honmura Anin in Roppongi.

Holiday Pie, or King's Pie, Around the World

The tradition of making New Year's pie spans countless cultures: the Greeks have vasilopita, the French have galette de roi, the Mexicans have the bread of the three kings, and the Bulgarians have banitsa.

In most cases, cakes are eaten on New Year's Eve, although in some cultures they are only cut at Christmas or Epiphany. Pies are usually hidden with figurines or coins, symbolizing good luck and money to those who find them in their piece.

Cotecchino, Italy

Italians celebrate the New Year with a traditional dish - cotecchino, or lentils with pork sausages, which are believed to bring good luck, and in some households - stuffed pork leg.

The dinner ends with chiacchiere - Italian firewood - and Prosecco. The tradition originates in Modena, but over time has spread throughout the country.

Pickled herring, Poland and Scandinavia

Since Poland and the Scandinavian countries are famous for their herring, and because of their silvery color they are considered a symbol of prosperity and wealth, many families serve pickled fish on the table on New Year's Eve. Some serve it with onions, others - cream sauce.

One of the popular New Year's dishes made from pickled herring - Sledzie Marynowane - is prepared from fish soaked in water for 24 hours, cut into pieces, compacted in a container in layers with onions, spices, sugar and white vinegar.

Kransekake, Denmark and Norway

Kransekake is a pyramid cake made up of several circles with the addition of candies and other sweets, and is prepared for various holidays and special events in Norway and Denmark.

The cake is made from marzipan, and often a bottle of wine or Aquavit is placed in the center with decorations in the form of flags and firecrackers.

Those who can't make it to Copenhagen to try the pyramid cake can visit Larsen's Danish Bakery in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. They have been delivering orders all over the world for a long time and are ready to package each layer of the cake separately so that the cake can be easily assembled right before the holiday.

What will be on your holiday table?

New Year is a celebration of traditions. This is a Christmas tree decorated by children, the usual Olivier basin, a glass of champagne during the chiming clock and long gatherings at the table. The format of the holiday has long been studied far and wide; the menu for the New Year's table is prepared with eyes closed. Whether this is good or bad is not the topic of today’s post, let’s just talk about how sometimes it is useful to deviate from the established routine and, surprising yourself, try something new and unusual.

Do you want to expand the geography of the New Year's feast this year and prepare dishes that are traditional for certain countries of the world? If you wish, you can even start celebrating the New Year with Japan, and end with the States, “checking in” along the way in China, Egypt, the Azores, Brazil and Peru. This does not mean at all that you need to compile the entire New Year’s menu in such a way as to include a wide variety of holiday dishes from all over the globe - you can limit yourself to two or three, but unusual and interesting ones.

So, let's figure out what you can prepare for the New Year so that it is non-standard and new?

Denmark – roast goose with dried fruits

What do we know about culinary traditions Denmark? Alas, the most that can be remembered is the famous lutefix, which the majority of foreigners understand little, at the same time mistakenly associating it with Denmark, although it comes from neighboring Scandinavia. At the same time, New Year's culinary etiquette exists, and thanks to it, roast goose stuffed with dried fruits appears on the Danes' table every year. On the one hand, it’s nothing special, but on the other hand, it’s very, very fragrant!

Ingredients:

• 1 goose carcass weighing approximately 4 kg;
• 4 pears;
• 4 apples;
• 1 cup prunes;
• 1/2 cup dried apricots;
• 1/2 cup raisins;
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries;
• 1/2 tsp. chopped rosemary needles;
• 1/2 tsp. caraway;
• salt, pepper, garlic to taste;
• 1 glass of white wine.

We stuff the goose carcass (gutted, washed and dried) with minced meat prepared in advance: mix dried fruits, sliced ​​apples and pears, salt and add pepper, rosemary, cumin. We sew up the hole through which the filling was inserted or secure the edges properly with toothpicks.

Rub the skin of the goose thoroughly with a mixture of salt, pepper and garlic. Place in a baking dish, pour in wine, cover with foil and leave for 3-5 hours to marinate, then place the dish in an oven preheated to 200 degrees and bake for 2.5 hours, then remove the foil, reduce the temperature to 180 degrees and keep until When ready, the crust should be golden and the juice that comes out when cutting should be clear.

Italy – pork sausage cotecino with lentils

As in many other European countries, the New Year's table in Italy is classic and standard, however, there is one dish that is invariably prepared in many regions of this country and served as a symbol of prosperity - cotechino pork sausage. Dinner is served at the usual time (and not at our usual 12 o'clock at night) and is always accompanied by lentils - to soften the fatty component of the meat delicacy.

By the way, if you think that we're talking about about regular sausage, just with some strange name, you are sorely mistaken. This is not at all the product we are used to: kotekino is prepared from the lower part of a pork leg, which is freed from everything and remains only in the form of the outer skin. That's what they fill her with minced meat and those edible ones that are removed from the shank. After cooking, you get a very fatty jelly-like sausage, which is served with a side dish. To be fair, it is worth mentioning the fact that almost no one cooks kotekino at home; people have long simply gone to the nearest butcher shop and bought semi-finished products.

However, for the sake of color and the Italian spirit, it’s quite possible to try it just once. Let's immediately allow ourselves to simplify as much as possible and adapt the recipe to our own realities and possibilities, but at the same time we will try to set the New Year's table in Italian style.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. paprika;
• 1 tsp. dry dill;
• 1 kg minced pork meat from the lower leg;
• 500 g chopped lard;
• 3 large cloves of garlic;
• 5-7 juniper berries;
• 1 tbsp. l. black pepper beans;
• 100 ml dry red wine;
• salt to taste.

Pour wine into a blender bowl, add juniper and garlic. Grind. Place the meat and lard in the same bowl, add salt, and don’t forget about whole pepper, paprika, dill. Grind again in pulsating mode. We fill the prepared thick casings for homemade sausages with the resulting mass (or, if you wish, peeled skins from pork feet), carefully tie with thread.

Boil the sausages in large quantities salted water for about 30 minutes. Serve with lentils, vegetables, any sauce of your choice.

Japan – soba with crab meat

New Year in Japan is very similar to a standard European holiday - there are classic Western snacks, champagne, and fruit on the table. After the bells at Shinto shrines ring 12 times to signal the start of the New Year, people head to the nearest shrine to also ring the bell and make a wish. However, there is also a purely Japanese tradition: on the last day of the passing year, plates of soba - thin long noodles that symbolize long life - are always placed on the festive table. If you want your life to be not only long, but also rich, add crab tempura to the noodles (which, by the way, rational Japanese immediately buy at finished form) or regular boiled crab meat.

Ingredients:

• 200 g buckwheat noodles;
• 2-3 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• 100 g broccoli;
• 1 carrot;
• white part of leek;
• 2-3 cloves of garlic;
• 2-3 champignons;
• 2 tbsp. l. sesame oil;
• 2-3 tsp. soy sauce;
• 1 tsp. honey;
• 2-3 tsp. rice vinegar;
• crab meat.

Place a pan of water, add salt and boil the soba. Place the finished noodles in a colander and rinse well under cold water.

At the same time, heat the olive oil in a wide frying pan, fry the finely chopped garlic, then add leek slices. When the onion becomes soft, add mushrooms, grated carrots and broccoli, disassembled into florets. Fry over medium heat, after a couple of minutes add soy sauce(be careful, it’s salty!), honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil. At the end, add crab meat cut into pieces (you can additionally take shrimp, mussels and other sea creatures to make it more convincing). Fry a little more, taste for salt and serve.

USA – classic stuffed turkey

Let's start with the fact that residents of the United States, like many other Protestant countries, do not particularly recognize the New Year, but if they celebrate, they try not to do much magic over the festive table. A couple of salads and stuffed turkey- this is quite enough to feel the spirit of the New Year, but not to turn the holiday into a grandiose event.

However, with turkey everything is not so simple. This traditional dish is prepared differently in every family. universal recipe no, of course, just as, for example, there is no single version of Olivier salad or oven-baked chicken. Each housewife contributes to the American heritage, well, the basic recipe will look something like this.

Ingredients:

• 1 turkey carcass weighing approximately 5 kg;
• 1 large carrot;
• 1 small celery root;
• 3-4 apples;
• 1 tbsp. l. mustard beans;
• 1/3 cup dry white wine;
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh sage;
• zest of 2 oranges;
• juice of 1 orange;
• 50 g softened butter;
• salt and pepper to taste.

Mix salt, pepper, sage, zest and softened butter, grease the turkey under the skin and inside. Cover cling film and put it in the refrigerator for 5-10 hours.

Before putting the bird in the oven, cut the carrots and celery into cubes and mix with apple slices. Add olive oil, mustard, wine and orange juice, be sure to add salt and pepper. We hide the resulting minced meat in the turkey, do not pour out the remaining liquid, sew up the hole or fasten it with toothpicks.

Place the turkey in the pan and pour over the remaining sauce from the stuffing. Cover with foil and bake in an oven preheated to 200 degrees for 2 hours, then remove the foil, reduce the temperature to 180 degrees and, periodically pouring the juice over the bird, bake until done - at least another 1.5 hours.

Step-by-step recipe from the Magic Food collection:

Holland – salted beans with bacon

New Year in Holland means a lot of laughter, fun, fireworks, noise, champagne, donuts sugar icing. These are “gifts in cellars” (searching for surprises using clues), traditional “slem” (a drink based on hot milk with spices), gingerbread and waffles. And also salted beans, generously seasoned with bacon and garlic. Finding the required pre-salted component in our stores is unrealistic, so we will make this dish in a light version - with regular dry beans.

Ingredients:

• 500 g beans;
• 500 g white beans;
• 1 kg of potatoes;
• 300 g lard;
• 700 g smoked cold cuts;
• 1 onion;
• 1 carrot;
• 1/2 celery root;
• 3-4 cloves of garlic;
• salt, pepper, spices to taste.

Soak beans and beans in the evening in plenty of water. In the morning, rinse, add fresh water and, adding salt, cook until tender (of course, separately - the beans, as a rule, become soft earlier). Aim for approximately 1.5 hours.

Cook lard in 3 liters of water, adding unpeeled onion and peeled carrots and celery. After 40 minutes, strain the resulting broth and pour it into the pan with the beans. Add peeled and diced potatoes. Place assorted meats on top in large pieces, salt, add pepper (you can add Bay leaf, dried parsley, granulated onions and garlic). Cook for about 25 minutes.

When the potatoes are ready, remove the meat, puree the contents of the pan, squeezing out the garlic, then mix with the beans and place on plates. Serve with sliced ​​meat on top.

An alternative recipe is lobio with ham or chorizo ​​sausages (served in Georgian restaurants):

Bulgaria – sour cabbage stewed with meat

In this country, both Christmas and New Year are celebrated, widely and richly, although quite simply. Most dishes are with everyday table, the choice is wide and depends on the preferences of each individual family. However, almost everyone cooks sauerkraut stewed with meat!

Ingredients:

• 0.5 kg of sauerkraut;
• 2 onions;
• 1 carrot;
• 1 tbsp. l. lard;
• 400 g lean pork;
• 2 tbsp. l. tomato paste;
• salt, pepper to taste;
• 2 bay leaves.

Melt lard in a deep frying pan, add pork cut into small cubes, fry until golden brown crust. At the end, add the onion cut into half rings. Stirring, fry for another 2-3 minutes, at the end add grated carrots and sauerkraut(if the cabbage is very sour, first rinse it under running water). Add salt, pepper, tomato paste, Bay leaf. Pour in half a glass of broth or water, cover with a lid and simmer for about half an hour.

Serve with a side dish of potatoes or on its own.

Alternative recipe - Polish bigos:

UK – traditional roast beef

The British are great lovers of traditions, and celebrating the New Year in their format is simply following a number of traditions. Banishing the old year with fire is done, throwing away something unnecessary is done, decorating the Christmas tree is done, making sweet pudding for dessert is done. Among other things on the holiday preparation list, there is the obligatory British roast beef - like most recipes English cuisine, a simple, uncomplicated thing, but at the same time very, very tasty.

Ingredients:

• piece beef tenderloin With " marble pattern» weighing approximately 1.5 kg;
• salt, a mixture of peppers, a little olive oil.

Turn on the oven to preheat to 250 degrees.

We clean fresh (not frozen or defrosted, this is the main condition!) meat from excess films, thoroughly rub it with a mixture of peppers and vegetable oil and fry on all sides in a well-heated frying pan until beautifully golden brown. After this, salt the roast beef and place it on a baking sheet. If desired, you can put 3-4 sprigs of rosemary or juniper berries under a piece of meat.

Bake at 250 degrees for about 15 minutes, then lower the temperature to 180 degrees and bake for another 10 minutes if you like roast beef rare, or 20 minutes if you prefer meat without blood.

After the meat is ready, do not rush to cut it into portions: real roast beef should “simmer”, “breathe” for at least 10-15 minutes - this way the juices will be evenly distributed inside the meat, and the dish will be as tasty as possible.

Estonia – blood sausages

New Year in Estonia, a post-Soviet space, is similar to the holiday to which we are accustomed. Of course, there are also things that are unique to this territory - for example, the belief about meeting a chimney sweep on the street, which leads to happiness, but overall the format is very, very familiar. So much so that it is sometimes difficult to say where the roots of the tradition come from. Well, let’s say blood sausages – are they originally Estonian or not?

Ingredients:

• 3 liters of blood;
• 1.5 kg of lard;
• approximately 6 m of cleaned prepared intestines;
• head of garlic;
• 4 large onions;
• red pepper, black pepper, ground cumin, salt to taste;
• 50 ml cognac;
• 1.5 kg of boiled buckwheat.

Fry finely chopped lard in a deep frying pan. As soon as the fat has rendered well, add the diced onion and turn off the heat.

Mix with buckwheat, add spices, garlic, add blood, salt, mix thoroughly. We fill the intestines with the resulting mass, tying them every 10 cm and forming small sausages.

Place in rings on a greased baking sheet, prick each sausage in several places, and then bake at 180 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Try Ukrainian ones too pork sausages:

Cuba – chicken with rice and bananas

As in many related countries (Portugal, Spain), on New Year's Eve in Cuba it is customary to eat 12 grapes with each stroke of the clock - to fulfill wishes. But they usually have dinner there until midnight, they don’t delay the feast - they feast on chicken baked in the oven with fragrant rice. By the way, with bananas!

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken carcass weighing 1.5-2 kg;
• 2 cups rice;
• 3 unripe bananas;
• 1 carrot;
• 1 onion;
• 4-5 cloves of garlic;
• a bunch of parsley;
• salt, pepper, olive oil.

In a frying pan on vegetable oil fry the sliced ​​garlic; as soon as it starts to brown, transfer it to a baking dish. Quickly fry the sliced ​​bananas in oil over medium heat. Put it in the form. We do the same manipulations with carrots (slices) and onions (petals). Pour rice over the fried fruits and vegetables, add salt and parsley.

Wash the chicken carcass, dry it and cut it in portioned pieces. Fry in olive oil until light golden brown. Place in a baking dish on top of the rice. Add water so that the rice is covered by 1 cm with liquid, and bake in the oven at 180 degrees for about 45 minutes.

Having gone through the culinary New Year's traditions different countries, you (absolutely!) received great gastronomic joy, culinary knowledge and, we hope, a charge of inspiration. May the New Year's table this time bring your family something new, unusual and original, and may the upcoming reporting period bring a lot of happiness, smiles and warmth.

In Japan, every dish on the New Year's table is symbolic. New Year's feast begins with serving the main dish of soba - buckwheat noodles with broth. Dog is a symbol of longevity, and longevity is the main wish for the New Year. In subsequent holidays the Japanese eat osechi-ryori - a variety of seafood: nihon-tai fish, shrimp, herring caviar, lobster, oysters, seaweed. All of the above products are served either raw or steamed. Osechi-ryori is served with ozoni soup with rice cakes. For dessert, the Japanese prepare black soybeans, symbolizing health, and sweet potato puree with chestnuts - for good luck. On New Year's Day, the Japanese prefer to drink green tea And rice vodka moju.

France

The French are real gourmets, complementing their traditional New Year's dish - turkey with goose liver and cheeses. The French cook turkey by adding cognac and cream. Served with baked chestnuts. An equally traditional French New Year's dish is pate goose liver with crispy toast French baguette. Also traditional on the New Year's table are seafood: oysters and smoked salmon. And of course, cheese plate. Dessert - Christmas log is a creamy cake-cake with big amount chocolate. French champagne and dry wines are always present on the New Year's festive table.

Mexico

Despite the fact that Mexico is famous for burritos, nachos, and fajitas, for the New Year, Mexicans prefer to bake a young pig. It is served with very tasty and healthy side dish— rice baked in the oven with black beans and sweet peppers. Mexicans usually serve a lot of vegetables and leaf salad, as well as pasio, serano and jalapeño stuffed with hard cheese. For dessert - simple baking from corn flour. The national New Year's drink is homemade tequila.

Italy

On the Italian New Year's table there is always a place for small tortellini dumplings with pasciutto ham and cream sauce. But the main dish of the New Year's table is homemade pork sausage, which in Italian sounds like “cotecchino”. Cut the sausage into small circles and serve with a side dish of corn grits and stewed lentils. For dessert, Italians prepare pannetone cake with dried fruits inside. On New Year's Eve, Italians prefer to drink dry or sparkling wine.

India

It is not surprising that in India, the land of spices, the New Year is celebrated with biryani pilaf and okroshka. Biryani pilaf is made from mutton. Kersew nuts, sultanas, pineapples, green peas and, of course, many local spices - cumin, cloves, coriander, turmeric, cardamom - are added to rice and carrots. The spices give the rice several colors, making the dish look very festive. The pilaf is served with raita - an Indian okroshka made from tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers based on light kefir. And dessert is fermented milk drink lasi - curdled milk whipped with ginger and sugar.

IN New Year's Eve miracles happen! You can go on a trip without even leaving home. It is enough to prepare traditional festive dinner some distant country, such as Japan or Mexico. Or put one of the exotic dishes on the New Year's table: buckwheat soba noodles, stuffed duck, whole baked carp, chocolate-covered turkey, bread pudding or just gingerbread cookies...

China

On the Chinese New Year's table, dumplings, noodles, peach broth and dishes from five types of vegetables or grains, symbolizing 5 individual species happiness. Chestnuts represent profit, a whole fish - abundance, shrimp - joy and happiness, chicken - prosperity.

At this time, peach and apricot trees, tangerines, almonds, watermelons - their red sweet pulp symbolizes good luck in the coming year.

Dumplings are made with pork filling, cabbage and onions. Usually they put a coin in one or gem, and whoever finds it will have great luck in the coming year. Long strings of noodles are perceived as a symbol of long life.

The Chinese are very sensitive to color scheme festive New Year's table - only rice can be white on it. You must try all the dishes, otherwise you will not be happy.

It is a Chinese custom to cook whole fish on New Year's Day, which is considered a symbol of strong family ties. They also cook the chicken, also whole - with head, tail and paws - this symbolizes family unity.

On New Year's Day, the Chinese always eat a vegetarian dish called “yai”, with the addition of various seasonings.

Japan

To welcome the deities who bring good luck and happiness, oshogatsu is prepared on Japanese New Year. original dishes, which the gods prefer and approve. Special New Year's cuisine, "osechi ryori", includes not only offerings to deities, but also simple dishes, which all Japanese eat during the three-day traditional holiday.

There are different versions of osechi, from traditional to modern and even exotic for Japan (Italian, French, Chinese cuisine), but they are all based on the main principle of “hozonshoku” - preserved food.

In Japan, housewives prepare food for the New Year from products that they believe bring happiness: they believe that seaweed brings joy, fried chestnuts - success in business, peas and beans - health, boiled rice - tranquility, herring caviar - family happiness and many children, noodles, like the Chinese, are a symbol of long life. Therefore, soba (noodles) must be uncut, since the longer the noodles, the longer our life.

Philippine Islands

?On the Philippine Islands, people prepare a lot of different foods on New Year's night; the more food, the better, since a rich New Year's table is considered to be the foundation for an equally rich and well-fed coming New Year.

Tibet

Tibetan housewives bake mountains of pies with various fillings for the New Year and treat them to everyone, friends and strangers, because the more you give away, the richer you will be!

In some provinces of Tibet, on New Year's Eve they traditionally eat sheep's head with a side dish of vegetables and sauce. It is believed that a head on a festive table is an auspicious sign.

England

In England, the traditional Christmas food is pudding and stuffed turkey with vegetable side dish from Brussels sprouts. The turkey is traditionally stuffed with chestnuts, grated breadcrumbs and sage, and served with a wonderful sauce made from gooseberries, cranberries or cream.

Pudding is made from bread crumbs, flour, lard, raisins, eggs and various spices. Before serving, the pudding is doused with rum, set on fire and placed on the table flaming.

In England, if you are invited to visit for the New Year, you must bring bread, coal and a pinch of salt with you, which symbolize food, warmth and prosperity.

USA

In America, stuffed turkey is also considered a traditional dish. The turkey is stuffed with everything that is lying around in the refrigerator: bread, cheese, prunes, garlic, beans, mushrooms, apples.

But the traditional New Year's dish of the inhabitants of the New World is considered to be a dish with the cynical name “Lame John” - Ham with red beans. In the southern United States, they believe that to be happy and rich in the New Year, you need to eat peas or beans. New Year's hours. You can often hear that peas, greens, and cabbage symbolize money.

Mexico

Despite the fact that Mexico is the country of burritos, nachos, and fajitas, Mexicans prefer to bake a young pig for the New Year. It is served with a side dish of rice baked in the oven with black beans and sweet peppers.

Mexicans usually serve a lot of vegetables and lettuce, as well as pacio, serano and jalapeno stuffed with hard cheese. For dessert - simple baked goods made from corn flour. Mexicans stuff turkeys the same way. Beans, corn and other vegetables and, naturally, do not spare the fiery hot sauce with chili peppers. Another signature dish they have is chocolate covered turkey.

Italy

?Among the traditional dishes, the New Year's table must include homemade cappelletti, truffles, smoked salmon, campone, turkey, almond pies, steam cod or perch in white wine, small dumplings - tortellini with pasciutto ham and cream sauce.

But the main dish of the New Year's table is homemade pork sausage “kotekkino”. It is cut into small circles and served with a side dish of corn grits and stewed lentils. For dessert, Italians prepare a pannetone cake with dried fruits inside, reminiscent Easter cake, decorated with raisins and candied fruits.

In Italy, it is customary to serve grapes, nuts, and lentils at the New Year's table as a symbol and guarantee of longevity, health and prosperity.

Spain

?The Spaniards set a rich table, on which sweets are a must: cookies with cumin, almond cakes. They eat roast lamb, shellfish, turkey, suckling pig, and sherry. In Spain, it is customary to eat twelve grapes at midnight, according to the number of strokes of the clock. With each grape you make a wish - twelve cherished wishes for every month of the year, which will definitely come true!

Germany

In Germany, the centerpiece of the table is goose with red cabbage and potato and bread balls. Be sure to serve a brightly colored dish with apples, nuts, raisins and pies. The symbolism here is as follows: the apple is the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, the nuts with their hard shell and tasty core symbolize the mysteries and difficulties of life.

In Germany they say: “God gave the nut, and man must crack it”. ?If there is herring or carp on the New Year's table, it will bring happiness in the coming year.?

Poland

In Poland, traditionally there are 12 dishes on the table, and none of them should be meat. Definitely fish! Basics holiday treat- a symbol of family happiness and prosperity - carp. And also mushroom soup, borscht, barley porridge with prunes, dumplings with butter, and chocolate cake for dessert.

A must on the table is strudel - a puff pastry with apples, the pride of every good housewife.

Norway

According to tradition, at Christmas in Norway you need to have 7 baked goods. The most common Norwegian flour products:


Kransekake - a pie made from rings folded into a pyramid
Julekake - Christmas round bun with raisins, Fattigman - brushwood, Krumkaker - waffles, Mandelkake - almond cake.

Pepperkaker - gingerbread cookies.
?

India

In India, New Year is celebrated with biryani pilaf and okroshka. Biryani pilaf is, of course, made from lamb. Kishmish, cashew nuts, green peas, pineapples, green peas and a large number of local spices - cumin, cloves, coriander, turmeric, cardamom are added to rice and carrots. Spices give the rice several colors, which is why the dish looks very festive and “elegant”.

The pilaf is served with raita - an Indian okroshka made from kefir, tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers. For dessert they prepare lasi - curdled milk whipped with ginger and sugar.