Main dishes for Christmas

in Ukraine

12/8/13

• Kutia is a traditional dish made of boiled wheat, seeds of poppy and honey

• Uzvar, a drink made of dried fruit

• Salad of beetroot• Holubtsi• Varenyky with potatoes

Christmas dinner

12/8/13

• Kutia is the hostess of Christmas evening

RECIPE• Ingredients:

Servings: 8

1 1/2 cups wheat berries, soaked in warm water for 24 hours, and then strained (kernels) 4 1/2 cups water (or more) or 4 1/2 cups milk (or more) 3/4 cup poppy seed 2/3 cup sliced roasted almonds or 2/3 cup walnuts 1/2 cup honey, to taste 2/3 cup chopped dried apricot (optional) 1/2 cup raisins 1 pinch salt, to taste 1 dash ground cinnamon

Kutia

12/8/13

Directions:

1 In a medium pot, combine wheat kernels and milk. 2 Bring to a boil.

3 Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 3 hours. 4 Add more liquid as necessary to keep kernels covered. 5 Scald the poppy seeds with boiling water, drain, and add lukewarm water to cover. 6 Soak 30 minutes, drain and grind in a food processor. 7 Set aside. 8 Drain water from wheat kernels and keep 1/2 cup of the liquid. 9 Add the honey to the liquid and mix well. 10 Mix kernels, honey, ground poppy seeds, almonds, apricots, raisins, and salt. 11 Bake in a 2-quart casserole dish, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. 12 Kutia may be served warm or chilled, and sprinkled with cinnamon, but it is best when prepared several days ahead of time in order for the full flavor to develop. 13 Kutia can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.

12/8/13

Uzvar

Uzvar is the main drink of

Christmas evening.

Uzvar is a drink prepared from

several kinds of dried fruits

(original recipe features apples,

pears and prunes) and sometimes

berries sweetened with honey or

sugar.

Also, there are many other dishes we can taste on

Christmas Eve

12/8/13

We wish you a merry

Christmas!!!