Holiday Recipes From Around the World

Time again.

Christmas music on the radio, mint chocolate mochas at your favorite cafe, and concern about what to purchase your partner are all indicators of the holiday season, but this year feels different around world recipes.

We gathered best international holiday dishes to embrace the unique. Cooking around the holidays is a terrific way to learn a new world language and recipes.

Use these to spice up your holiday feast and enjoy celebrating differently and the world

Glühwein (Germany)

version of mulled wine, a warm, citrus-y red wine drink that will liven up your holiday party—even if it is only the three people in your COVID bubble.

Kid-friendly version? Kinderpunsch ingredients

1 half-sliced orange
1 red wine
200g sugar
5 cloves
1-cinnamon stick
2-star anise
3 peeled ginger slices
150ml brandy, rum, amaretto, or schnapps

Method

In a large pan, heat the orange slices, wine, sugar, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, and ginger for 10–15 minutes. Avoid boiling it.
After warming, add brandy, rum, amaretto, or schnapps. 
Serve in glasses or mugs. 

Latkes (Israel)

Hanukkah latkes are fried potato pancakes. They offer flavor and richness to holiday meals. You can also use leftover mashed potatoes by substituting shredded potatoes.
Ingredients

1 1/2 pound baked potatoes (3–4)
Quartered medium yellow onion
Large egg
2-tablespoon matzo meal or unseasoned dry breadcrumbs
1 tsp.
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1 cup canola oil, chicken schmaltz, or Applesauce and sour cream for serving

Method

200°F oven. Paper towel a baking sheet. Keep the latkes warm here after frying them.
Scrub and cut potatoes in half crosswise.
Grate potatoes and onions. Grater or food processor.
Squeeze the potatoes with a cheesecloth or tea towel.
Finger-mix the potatoes, onion, eggs, matzo meal or breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper in the bowl. Ten minutes. 
Medium-high heat a big frying pan with oil. Fry the latkes till golden brown. In oven.
Serve with sour cream or applesauce.

Bibingka (Philippines)

Philippines and Indonesians love bibingka, a baked rice cake. It is a Christmas morning staple. Filipinos consume them for breakfast during novenas, a nine-day worship ceremony.

Philippines fanatic? Bibingka is a fantastic study snack for Tagalog.
Ingredients

1-cup rice flour
1/4-cup all-purpose flour
3/4 milk 1/2 sugar
1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt 4 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 egg

Toppings

grated cheese melted room-temperature coconut butter for brushing

Method

Brush butter on baking paper or banana leaves and line pans or molds. Use muffin or loaf pans. Put away.
Mix until smooth. It will be runny. 
Put the mixture in pans/molds. Bake for 10 minutes in the center rack at 200°C/390°F. After 5 minutes, turn on the broil or grill and bake until browned.
Butter each Bibingka after baking. Sprinkle cheese and coconut on top. Serve hot!

Iceland’s Hangikjöt

Icelandic Christmas hangikjöt is smoked lamb.

Want to say Hangikjöt correctly? Learn Icelandic with Pimsleur.
Ingredients

Tunnel-boned half leg of lamb
Brine (salt, sugar, nitrates)
Smoke wood
A smoker

Method

Brine the leg overnight in salt, sugar, and nitrates.
Drain the lamb and refrigerate for a day or two to make a pellicle.
48-hour smoking.
After smoking, store it in the fridge for four days to let the smokey flavor develop. 
Poach lamb for 30–60 minutes before serving, depending on size. Pink-serve slices.
Canned peas, simple boiled potatoes, and béchamel sauce accompany hangikjöt. Cold on bread.

Risgrynsgröt (Swedish)

Risgrynsgröt is Swedish rice pudding. It is usually served for breakfast or before Christmas dinner. Creamy and wonderful, one pot feeds the family. Add one almond to the pot for a Swedish tradition: the person who gets it in their bowl gets a small gift (usually chocolate).
Ingredients

2-cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp butter
Short-grain rice, like pearl arborio, 1 cup
4 1/3 milk
1-cinnamon stick
1/4-cup sugar
1/4-cup raisins

Method

Boil the water, salt, butter, and cinnamon stick in a pot. 
Cover with rice. Low-simmer for 10 minutes. 
Boil the milk after adding it. Cook for 30 minutes on low, covered. Raisins after 20 minutes. 
Serve sugared.