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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-12-22, Page 45PAGE B16.THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2005. The truth behind Christmas baking Each year, during the Christmas season, families bake cookies and other treats from flavourful gingerbread batter. Have you ever wondered why? The reason is rooted in European history. Nearly l ,000 years ago, European crusaders returned to their homelands after war, bringing with them exotic fruits, nuts and spices. Ginger was among their booty. Soon after, it was learned that ginger had a preservative effect and could be stored without getting hard or moldy. As such, it was added to many popular foods and baked goods - hence, gingerbread was created. As time progressed, gingerbread became such a popular treat that many cities and towns in Europe began holding gingerbread fairs. Bakers made and sold gingerbread in all shapes and sizes including cookies, houses and the like. By the 1600s, gingerbread making was viewed as a special skill, and laws were enacted to restrict gingerbread making to professional bakers. However, during the Christmas and Easter seasons, the general public was allowed, once again, to dabble in gingerbread making, linking the spicy treat with these two religious holidays. Today, however, gingerbread baking is mainly reserved for Christmas, with delicious aromas filling homes all December long. To get into the holiday season, whip up a pungent and savoury Cranberry Christmas Gingerbread, courtesy of www.cdkitchen.com CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD Makes 10 1 1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1/3 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce 1 egg 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses 1/2 cup boiling water Grease and flour an 8-by 8-by 2- inch baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 Happy Holidays with all the trimmings. Wishing you glad tidings at this joyous time of year. Thank you for your patronage this past year. It's 51 Shear ‘T'hina Christmas literature that never goes out of style What’s better on a frosty winter night than curling up with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book? Certain books return to shelves every year around this time and can bring back warm memories of years gone by or start new traditions for children. Some Christmas literature favourites never go out of style. 1. ) T’was the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore 2. ) How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss 3. ) The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans 4. ) The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn 5. ) The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg 6. ) The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry 7. ) A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 8. ) The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson 9. ) The Christmas Quilt: A Novel by Thomas J. Davis 10. ) The Christmas Guest by Andy Griffith Top 25 holiday songs 1. Santa Claus is Coming to Town 2. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) 3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 4. Winter Wonderland 5. White Christmas 6. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow 7. I’ll Be Home for Christmas 8. Jingle Bell Rock 9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 10. Little Drummer Boy 11. Sleigh Ride 12. Silver Bells 13. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year 14. Feliz Navidad 15. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree 16. Blue Christmas 17. Frosty the Snow Man 18. A Holly Jolly Christmas 19. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 20. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) 21. (There’s No Place Like) Home For the Holidays 22. Santa Baby 23. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas 24. Carol of the Bells 25. Wonderful Christmastime Source: American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Hope your season delivers lots of good news. We appreciate your continued patronage. Faye, Dorothy, Susan & Pat CANADA POST CORPORATION - BLYTH - Our gratitude runs deep and our wish for you is a year that’s filled with good fortune. Thanks! VV PRESSURE WASHING Mobile Washing & Disinfecting • Barn Washing • Farm Equipment • Commercial WILLARD J. ROPP R.R.#2, Bluevale, ON Tel. (519) 887-9771 Fax: (519) 887-9618 SeaAO-n’b Qieeting.& ftfke Mitchell ffaimily. Carol Mitchell, M.P.P. Huron-Bruce Constituency Offices CLINTON 49 Albert Street N0M 1L0 Bus: (519) 482-5630 or 1-800-668-9320 Fax: (519) 482-3149 KINCARDINE 322 Lambton Street N2Z 1Y9 Bus: (519) 396-3007 or 1-866-396-3007 Fax: (519) 396-3011 E-mail: cmitchell.mpp.co©liberal.ola.org Website: www.carolmitchell.ca