The Christmas Special

Oh I've been WAITING for this one.

It’s time! The biggest food holiday for my family is here.

Christmas is kind of a big deal in my family.

Yes, Jesus being born…..yeah yeah family being together, whatever. Christmas Day though is the day when we go ALL OUT on Lebanese food.

*to clarify: Before I get any angry messages, I do believe Jesus being born is the biggest part of Christmas. The reason for the season, I’m just very excited to talk about food (as usual).*

We have a FEAST.

Kibbeh, Grape Leaves, Cabbage Rolls, Meat Pies, Hummus, Tabbouleh, Baba Ghanoush, Ma’amoul—the whole nine yards.

IT’S THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR.

If most of these words aren’t familiar to you, google them.

Most of these foods we make all year round, but there’s never a time when we have them all at once. Except for Christmas.

Similar to Thanksgiving, my family divides the workload so that it’s not one person making a legit feast. For example, my dad is in charge of bringing Syrian bread and Kibbeh. We made a full batch (about 40-50 loaves) Tuesday, and it was a work of love. They are absolutely delicious.

I’d like to add you have to make Syrian bread in the morning. This is Brett mixing at 7:15 am.

Honestly, most Lebanese food isn't difficult, but time-consuming. Sorry Rachel Ray, 30 minute-meals just don’t exist in our kitchen.

Cabbage Rolls stuffed with rice and round steak,

Growing up, my Siti was in charge of almost every aspect of Christmas (food-wise). She’d start prepping the week of Thanksgiving with the Syrian bread, meat, and spinach pies and store them in the freezer. Ma’amoul was made on weekends, and the rest was made week of Christmas. She was a force to be reckoned with.

As she got older, collectively we took on more foods to help with.

While Christmas Day was our biggest day, Christmas Eve arguably was just as busy and just as delicious. It was a jam-packed day!

Morning-finishing preparations for tomorrow’s dinner (as well as tonight’s)

Afternoon- the family beginning to come together!

Night-Mass, Dinner, rest of family shows up, BONUS: Gido’s Birthday (yes, on Christmas Eve), then Christmas games, then little family gifts.

I’d argue Christmas Eve was my favorite day of the year as a kid.

**I’d like to add our Christmas eve menu: Homemade Tamales from a lady my Siti went to church with, Mexican Rice, Taco soup, and birthday cake. So so good.**

One thing my Siti always let me help with as a kid was making my Gido’s birthday cake. I went through a big baking phase during my teen years (I’ll have to write about that one day because that was interesting…). For years, she’d make a big chocolate cake with frosted writing and big candles. Once I was old enough to help, I’d make a german chocolate cake. Apparently, that’s his favorite, but this man will be happy with whatever he’s given, I digress.

Food plays a big role in the holidays, especially for our family. Our family recipes and traditional foods are one of the main ties we have to our culture. I’m immensely grateful to have had the opportunity as a kid to learn how to cook from a young age and be invited into the kitchen to watch and learn. It’s taught me how to be creative, how to show love through dishes, and has shaped me so much as a human being.

2019 Christmas feat. grape leaves, kibbeh, Gido, and Aunt Deb (hey Aunt Deb!)

That’s it from me, I’ll be in the kitchen helping prep if anyone needs me.

Happy Holidays!

With love,

Cara