with one teaspoon of the sugar and set aside . In a large bowl , dissolve the remaining sugar in milk . Stir in the melted butter , salt , and two eggs , then add 2 cups of the flour and the yeast mixture and stir until smooth . Add 4 to 5 cups more flour , 1 cup at a time , stirring to incorporate it , until it pulls away from the sides of the bowl . Turn it out onto a well- floured surface and knead for 5 minutes or more , adding flour , if necessary , until firm ( not soft ), smooth , and elastic .
Place the dough in a large bowl , cover tightly , please in a warm place ( not above 90 degrees F ) until doubled , 2-3 hours . Pull the dough away from the sides of the bowl , punch down , and recover . Allow to rise again until doubled , about 1 hour .
Butter or grease a 9-inch round cake pan or cast-iron frying pan . Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface . Cut into 6 equal pieces , roll each piece into a one-inch-thick rope . Braid three ropes together and make two wreaths , or more traditionally twist two ropes into three wreaths . Leave a small circular gap in the center of the bread . Cover and let rise until almost doubled in volume , about 45 minutes .
Meanwhile , place a rack in the lower third of the oven , and preheat to 350 ° F . Brush the top of the risen dough generously with egg wash . When the dough is ready , bake for about 1 hour . The bread should have a rich golden crusts and sound hollow when tapped . Take them out to cool and serve with a white candle in the center .
Uzvar is a hot beverage made from dried fruit ( e . g ., plums , apples , berries , and pears ) with honey for sweetness and lemon for bite . It is thick and jelly-like , but rich and delicious . Uzvar Servings : 10 Ingredients : 7-8 oz dried apples 10-11 oz dried pears 4 oz raisins 7-8 oz prunes 8-9 oz clover honey Water to cover Instructions : Cover dried fruits with cold-water for 10 minutes ; then rinse and remove any stems , pits , or seeds . In a medium pot bring water up to a boil . Add the pears and cook for 20 minutes . Then add the apples , prunes , and raisins and cook for 15 minutes more . Add the honey , bring back to the boil and set aside to cool . Serve it cooled with a cinnamon stick or twist of orange . The fruits can be served separately .
Kisel , meaning sour , is a thick berry or cherry jellies made with potato starch . There are many varieties of powder mixes available in many colors and flavors . Traditionally , kissel was prepared with oats left to get sour along with fruit or a piece of bread .
Pampushky resemble doughnuts , they are deep-fried yeast patties served savory with a buttery garlic topping , to accompany borshch , OR served sweet filled with cherries , jam , or poppy seed filling and topped with powdered sugar .
Draniki or chopped meat pancakes are savory potato pancakes filled with minced pork or beef , formed into triangles
www . meridianstar . com and fried and served with a rich chicken broth .
Draniki Ingredients : 2 eggs 4 oz or ¼ C milk 2 medium onions 2 slices of bread 2 T flour 3.5-4 oz minced pork 3.5-4 oz minced beef 18 oz potatoes sour cream , for serving vegetable oil , for frying TT black ground pepper TT salt Instructions : Soak bread in milk and set aside . Pour out the extra liquid before combining with other ingredients . Peel and mince onions finely . Add the soaked bread to the meat and the bread . Mix well , then add onions , one egg and season with salt and pepper . When mixed thoroughly , wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes .
Peel potatoes and grate finely . Set the grated potato aside for a while and then pour out the liquid . Stir in flour , salt , and one egg .
Preheat oil in a griddle . Spoon the potato mass in the form of flapjacks . Fry them slightly and then spread the minced meat above evenly . Cover the pancakes with another spoonful of potato , and fry over medium heat until golden and crispy . Serve the potato flapjacks hot with a generous amount sour cream .
Most families attend midnight mass and celebrate the moment when the angels were to have announced the birth of the Savior , called the shepherds , and the moment that adoration of a long-prophesied miracle coming to life . The literal verbum caro factum est , ‘ the word made flesh .’ After the blessings of the holy family and those attending , everyone returns home to share gifts just as the Magi had brought to the new king , and then settle down for a long rest until the festivities begin the following day .
Christmas morning is less formal with a breakfast composed of boiled eggs , kielbasa sausage , a mixed vegetable salad called Sałatka , traditional deli meats and bread . After celebrating the mass , families may have a communal meal at church or return home to celebrate together .
This year , many will be serving a different way , as healers , teachers , and caretakers far away from their homes embodying the gift given on this day many years ago . For this , let us all remember to not live Christmas only once a year , but to never remove Christ from Christmas but to celebrate the body , the blood , and embodiment of Christ each and every day . “ Na xdrówko I zachowaj cię ” may God bless you and keep you .
Merry Christmas .
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