Christmas Eve, Books and Iceland

We Love Rosemary

Rosemary is one of our favorite herbs to flavor almost everything.

Every chicken dish we prepare usually has rosemary in there somewhere.

Did you know that this wonderful herb has long had a reputation for being helpful with memory?

In ancient Greece, scholars wore sprigs of rosemary when taking tests to give their memory a boost.

Shakespeare also credited the herb with memory - enhancing powers, writing the line 'Rosemary, that's for remembrance' in Hamlet.

Now researchers at Northumbria University agree that rosemary essential oil is helpful recollection, following on from previous research that it boosts memory.

Easy to grow and harvest, rosemary really needs to be in your garden and pantry.

We want to share a recipe for delicious Rosemary Cornbread that we will be making.

3 ounces fresh or frozen corn
1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh rosemary leaves (no stems)
1 cup heavy cream
1 package corn muffin mix
1/4 cup finely diced red pepper
2 eggs
1 tablespoon minced shallot or green onions

METHOD

Spray a 13 x 9-inch or 11 x 9-inch cake pan with non-stick oil and coat with granulated sugar.
In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into cake pan and bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes at 300 degrees F.
Raise temperature to 325 degrees F and bake an additional 20 minutes.
Serve with melted butter and your Lammas is off to a great start.

Figgy Pudding

What exactly is figgy pudding?

Dating back to at least the 16th century, figgy pudding (a dense, moist, cakelike dessert also called “plum pudding” or “Christmas pudding”) was part of an old English tradition where the wealthy would hand it out as a treat to carolers on Christmas Eve to brave the chilly night.

In time, figgy pudding became part of another popular British tradition, too, called “Stir-Up Sunday,” which took place on the Sunday before Advent each year. 

Entire families would get together to make their Christmas pudding, with each member taking turns stirring the mixture and wishing for good luck.

Today, the figgy pudding recipe is more like something akin to fruitcake—certainly more cake-ish than pudding-ish—that’s been steamed and served flambé. 

It’s an extra-special holiday treat that’s as delicious as it is unique.

Now that you know what it is, it’s the perfect time to make one for the holiday season! Click here to print your free recipe card. 

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Broken Peach