For many centuries Christmas has been one of the most important and revered religious holidays in Russia. According to a long tradition, it was celebrated in a close family circle. There is a certain order according to which the Christmas table is to be laid and served.
Instructions
Step 1
Cover the table with a white starchy tablecloth. It is supposed to put a little straw under it - this is a symbol of the manger in which Jesus Christ was after his birth. Napkins on this holiday should also be white, better - fabric. Place garlic under the tablecloth from the four corners of the table - it is believed that it drives away evil spirits from your home and your family. You can pour a little grain under it - this rite promises abundance.
Step 2
At Christmas, 12 dishes must be present on the table, in memory of the twelve apostles - the disciples of the Savior. The traditional festive menu includes, for example, kutia (sochivo), pancakes, jelly, aspic, honey gingerbread. To make the task easier, prepare at least a few of them, and add to the required number, for example, salads or pickles. Roast must also be present on the table, most often it is a whole baked bird. As a side dish for this dish, take fried potatoes, cabbage or stewed apples (the last two options can also be used as minced meat). The goose can also be stuffed with orange slices. One of the options for the main Christmas dish is whole fish (pike perch, catfish, sturgeon). It can be baked in the oven under mushrooms and onions, pouring sour cream sauce.
Step 3
Place a kutya in the center of the table - it is with it that the breaking of the fast begins after the strict Christmas fast. To cook this dish, use a glass of wheat, nuts, raisins, poppy seeds, and honey (to taste). Boil the grains, steam the poppy seeds and mash or mince them. Mix all ingredients together. Serve cold kutya.
Step 4
An indispensable attribute of the Christmas table is a large variety of baked goods. Try to bake traditional "carols", it is not difficult at all. For Christmas carols, knead a dough of flour and water (milk) in a 2: 1 ratio, lightly salting it. Divide the dough into balls and let sit for 20 minutes. After that, roll out the cakes, put the filling inside, pinch the edges so that you get small open cheesecakes or baskets. For the filling, you can take berries, cottage cheese, potatoes, mushrooms. Bake Christmas carols at 200 degrees.
Step 5
Cook uzvar - a traditional Christmas drink, a decoction of dried fruits. You can also make sbiten, a hot drink made from water, spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves) and honey. All ingredients are boiled for half an hour, then a little cognac can be added to the hot sbiten.
Step 6
Decorate the table with tall candles in glass candlesticks or compositions of coniferous branches, to which you can add viburnum clusters and spikelets.
