Celebrating New Year: A historical saga

The New Year is here again and people are all set to welcome it with a lot of anticipation, joy and zest. But what many of us don’t know is that the New Year is one of the oldest festivals of the world, dating back to the pre historic era. January 1, as it is celebrated in the present day is relatively a new phenomenon. If we look into the history of New Year, we will find that a series of changes has affected it to get to its present global form. The urge of celebrating New Year as a vibrant festivity emerged at the dawn of civilization. This becomes one of the principal reasons for New Year traditions to vary from country to country. It is believed that the earliest New Year celebrations have been in Mesopotamia in 2000 BC. A lot of other dates are also associated with it in other ancient cultures.

New Year traditional stories

A lot of people agree to the popular belief that what we do on the first day of the New Year affects the entire year. Some other common ones are:

• One popular belief is to kiss your beloved and your dear ones at the stroke of midnight conveying warmth, affection and care.

• You should settle and clear all your unsettled amounts and unpaid debts as it is not good for a New Year to begin with. Make sure to deal with all money settlements before the old year closes.

• It is auspicious to begin the New Year by wearing brand new clothes which ensures a steady flow of new clothes the entire year, adding jazz to your wardrobe.

• You should greet the New Year by making loud noises. Not only would you enjoy doing that, but also it is believed that it scares away evil spirits thus ensuring you have a hassle free New Year.

• Paying back loans or lending money to anyone on January 1 is not a good option as it indicates that you shall be paying all year long and money would be flowing out instead of coming in.

• Babies born on January 1 are believed to be lucky and have prosperity on their side.

• Avoid breaking things on the New Year day as it indicates that ‘wreck’ will be your companion for the rest of the year.

• Being happy and cheerful on the first day of the year is also recommended as it ensures a cheerful year ahead.

Some happy food for Day one of Twenty Eleven: Dal Soup with Tomato, Gajar and Kishmish Salad, Cheese and Vegetable Croquettes.

Celebrating New Year in different parts of the world

In Russia, amongst the most popular New Year symbols is a New Year’s Tree called Novogodnaya Yolka that is topped with a bright star and decorated with various sweets. New Year presents are kept under the New Year Tree. The most important part of the New Year activities is the sumptuous dinner with light music and champagne. The most important meals consist of meat, green peas, pickles, mayonnaise, onion, carrots and potatoes.

Traditions and customs make a splendid part of New Year celebrations in Europe. ‘First footing’ is a very old tradition, practiced very seriously in Europe till date. When the clock strikes at midnight, a male stranger must be the first person to enter the house. It is supposed to bring good luck and prosperity for the family. The visitor must bring with him lump of coal, bread and some salt. In Europe, people follow a custom of making noise to welcome the New Year. This is done to scare off all the bad spirits.

In the United States, New Year’s Day begins with wishing the near and dear ones ‘Happy New Year’. People visit their loved ones and sometimes go out for a picnic with them. Watching the famous Tournament of Roses Parade further accelerates New Year celebrations. Theme of the parade varies every year. There is also a New Year custom to play the most famous games of football such as the Orange Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl.

In Japan, New Year Eves see people eat Toshikoshi-soba at night. They offer prayers at midnight. It is considered highly auspicious to listen to the chimes of a temple bell. According to the Japanese religion, sound of the 108 chimes drives away all the sins and gives birth to new life.

The people of Germany welcome New Year in a merry way.

It is considered very auspicious by the people to have carp (a type of fish) or herring and toast made with champagne or sekt. Cabbage and carrots are also eaten to bring in financial stability. Lentil soup with wieners is very popular.

In Indian homes, we start the traditional way by having something sweet: Chocolate Walnut Kheer, Anjeer Date Barfi, and Sohan Halwa. More Indian sweet recipes.

Launching TYC in Kathmandu

Another Monday at the office after an exciting and joyous Christmas weekend. And the fun does not end here, it will continue now till we enter into the New Year with a bang! The celebration was really a refreshing factor amidst my traveling and touring…after all we all need a little bit play along with our work to keep it going smoothly.

Weekend was spent in fun. Kriti, my younger daughter is selected for 400 metres All India School Nationals in athletics. She is training there with kids from all over India. I’m happy about her selection and prospects and that she has adjusted well to training and camp.

As for my routine goes, lots of meetings happening. This sure will pace up as we come closer to the year end when our channel FOODFOOD finally goes on air, which means there would be more and more shoots as well. Plus, the launch of the new TYC branches opening up at various places. The Yellow Chilli chain of restaurants has already crossed the figure of two dozens in pan Indian market, soon to be opening in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia too. One is opening in Kathmandu (Blue Bird Mall, Tripureshwar). I am going there for its launch tomorrow and this venture will strengthen the Indo Nepal ties as food speaks the universal language of love.

Check out www.sanjeevkapoor.com for the newly added feature like the tab section on the homepage. Now we have different sections separately assigned for various recipes along with the shopping section. It allows easier browsing and you can find your favourites even more quickly without going through the entire recipe list. It also gives you the option of the types of recipes and so this becomes pretty convenient and more user friendly.

Meanwhile, check out some light food using the winter bounty Spinach and Pumpkin Curry, Gajar Gobhi Shalgam ka Saag and wind up with a creamy Gur aur Akhrot ki Phirni.

More later!

Sanjeev Kapoor

Merry And Cheery Christmas!

All of us here wish you a very Merry, Fun Filled and Feasty Christmas…we did a lot in the spirit of the moment and had a mini celebration in the office. Dress code, red and/or black. Tinsel and balloons were up as were golden stars….a beautifully decorated, ornate, Christmas cake was made and gushed over and then demolished in the evening. There was another cake cut to celebrate all the December birthdays, with coffee and freshly made in house doughnuts. Yum!

We all played something our HR Executive Miti called as Secret Santa….each one of us was to carry a gift for a team mate (the name of the recipient was secretly conveyed to each ensuring that an appropriate gift was brought along)! And then we all had to hunt for our gifts within the office premises. There was also a huge box that said ‘Put in your 2010 thank you notes’. Showing and expressing gratitude is the most humbling of all emotions….and these precious little notes were handed over to us as ‘greetings’ when we entered the party venue.

As we ended the day feeling so good, and replete, the warmth in the heart spreads out towards all of you.

Merry Christmas!

Sanjeev Kapoor.

Merry And Cheery Christmas!

All of us here wish you a very Merry, Fun Filled and Feasty Christmas…we did a lot in the spirit of the moment and had a mini celebration in the office. Dress code, red and/or black. Tinsel and balloons were up as were golden stars….a beautifully decorated, ornate, Christmas cake was made and gushed over and then demolished in the evening. There was another cake cut to celebrate all the December birthdays, with coffee and freshly made in house doughnuts. Yum!

Later came the page 3 awards (best Smile: winner, Creative: winner, Live wire: winner) with team activities. We all played something our HR Executive Miti called as Secret Santa….each one of us was to carry a gift for a team mate (the name of the recipient was secretly conveyed to each ensuring that an appropriate gift was brought along)! And then we all had to hunt for our gifts within the office premises. There was also a huge box that said ‘Put in your 2010 thank you notes’. Showing and expressing gratitude is the most humbling of all emotions….and these precious little notes were handed over to us as ‘greetings’ when we entered the party venue.

As we ended the day feeling so good, and replete, the warmth in the heart spreads out towards all of you.

Merry Christmas!

Sanjeev Kapoor.

Christmas celebrations – something different next year

Christmas with its beautiful colours and friendly times will come again! Time does not stop for anyone but it does bring home some bitter truths about the changing face of the Earth. Celebrations and parties means there is bound to some extra stuff to dispose off like disposable plates, glasses, napkins and bags. Celebrations also mean that more electricity has been used and maybe you did have a fresh fir tree. All these do point out that some portion of the natural resources has been used up, forever.

It is this time that one can become complacent about the environment in the name of celebrations and holidays. But it is important to remain green, look at being eco friendly more so. So a clean green Christmas needs to be planned. It could mean going green in the rituals, in the décor and food and entertainment. In fact we could see green clothed Santas this year…showing that eco friendly celebrations have made a good start and need to be reiterated.

Christmas trees: Artificial trees are also a good choice as they can be reused over and over for many years and in case you get bored, you can buy another one. If at all you are chopping down a real tree, make sure that you plant another one in its place!A large potted plant or a small tree can be used each year as your Christmas tree rather than buying a real tree that has been cut down. The real tree finally gets thrown away adding real damage to the environment.

Christmas decorations: You can make homemade wreaths using fresh foliage. Handmade décor made from recycled or eco- friendly materials are also a good option.

Christmas tree ornaments: Painted eggshells, aluminum foil, paper chains, paper snowflakes, old CD’s, gingerbread men, cookies etc all make excellent ornaments. Use your kid’s doll decorated as an angel for the tree top.

Gifts: In case your gift requires batteries, ensure that you include the rechargeable sorts with charger. In fact, you can simply gift a box of rechargeable batteries! Make the gifts at home if you really cannot think of what to give! Cakes, cookies are always appreciated.

Gift wraps: Colourful magazine papers, or using coloured pictures from your child’s colouring books for wrapping and decorating gifts is a good idea. You can put your gift inside another gift such as a decorative tin, wooden box and tie them with ribbons, etc. Using gift wraps, gift boxes, ribbons and bows from previous year’s celebrations is being sensible.

Greeting cards, gift tags and packaging materials: Save paper by sending an e-card. You can use crushed newspaper for box fillers.

Christmas recipes – Make cookies, wrap them up as gifts!

A wonderful hand made gift, packed just as beautifully, will touch the recipient’s heart for sure. Cakes, cup cakes, cookies and marzipan – whatever you wish to gift, can be made more special with innovative gift wrapping. Putting them just on a paper plate and sealing them in a plastic bag can be really boring. Go the extra step to make your cookies as festive and innovative as they can be.

Here are some tips that you can follow to store/gift wrap your cookies in the most interesting ways:

•You can choose from a variety of wrapping options like plastic wrap, aluminum foil, parchment paper, waxed paper and plastic bags.

•Cookies can be put in a decorated cardpaper cake box and sealed with wax paper. This becomes a packing as well as a way to keep the cookies fresh for a longer time.

•Cookies can be stacked in glass jars with seals. This brings some cool class!

•Christmas cookies can be packed in coloured or clear cellophane bags. Tying the bags with a ribbon and a small tag with the cookie’s recipe will wow the recipient. Try the Almond Cookies in this case.

•Another interesting way is to place cookies on a small, round cooling rack and then wrapping them in a new, clean dish towel or placing mat. You can showcase five or six cookies this way, and tie it all with some fabric ribbon and a gift tag.

•Christmas cookies can be used to fill mugs with special messages of season’s greetings or any personalized message or picture.

•You can also line a basket with a clean colourful dish towel and put the cookies inside. Small baskets that are inexpensive and reusable, can be used to present cookies to the guests or family members in a warm and inviting way. Cover the basket with cellophane wrap to keep them fresh.

•Carryout food containers can also be used. Stick on some colourful festive bows or ribbon and these are good for small or medium cookies. Lemon and Pistachio Cookie is a good recipe.

•The cookies can be put in a nice bread pan. This protects them during shipping and makes it usable by the recipient over and over again. To add a touch of style, the pan can be wrapped in coloured cellophane and tied with a bow at the top.

However, what you should keep in mind while wrapping cookies is that, you should not wrap cookies which are warm or direct from the oven, decorated cookies that are not completely dry and soft and crisp cookies together as the soft ones will harden and the crisp ones will soften.

More Christmas Recipes.

Ushering into the New Year…

My Canada and US tour is somewhat over and while I wait here to get back to my country in anticipation, the humongous amount of snow everywhere just does not seem to go down in quantity. The flights are already delayed (and some of them cancelled as well!). I am stuck here because of the snow and God only knows when this is going to get over (I really am eager to get back home now!)

Leaving my departure hassles aside, let me just talk about New Year which is around the corner. With Christmas just before the New Year, we see homes, markets and other places already lit up and dazzling with the festive and celebration mood. Trust me, it is one of my favourite times of the year with so much of happiness and joy around. And what better than food to enjoy this mood with. Try out some of my choices for this Christmas and the year end on www.sanjeevkapoor.com.

Bailey’s Irish Crème Mousse

With New Year, come resolutions because we all feel the need to change and what day is better than the beginning of the year, January 1. Resolutions help us to start afresh habits than to break an old one. This year, make sure to fulfil the goals that you set by planning them well before. Share your resolutions with family and friends and I’m sure they will help you to achieve it by encouraging and supporting you at every step. I know for sure the satisfaction that you can gain when you see yourself completing something which you’ve decided to. So, I would say just go ahead and throw up a challenge for yourself and aim to complete it!

Sticky Date Pudding

Take a pledge to maintain a healthy lifestyle by including fruits and vegetables in your diet, drinking lots of water, exercising, be good to humans as well as the flora and fauna, spread happiness around...all in all, just build a more positive behaviour! Just plan to work on such things and leave the rest to God. I’m sure He’s always there to bless and help everybody!


Apple Crumble


Till I get back home.
Sanjeev Kapoor

Christmas recipes - Dealing with baking blunders

Christmas time means a lot of baking, and novices could face some problems. Baking is quite an art and while mastering it, one has to cope with a lot of baking disasters. One has to start with simple recipes and then improve on their baking skills by practicing more and more and should try and not push themselves in attempting to master a difficult recipe at once.

Disaster strikes first, then creativity. And that is where the end result lies. Take a tip or two from the following:

While baking a chocolate cake, if it turns out too moist; one can always call it a pudding and serve it hot with a fluffy sauce.

For a sponge cake turning into a thin, flat, biscuit layer; one can use a biscuit cutter to cut it into fancy shapes and serve it sandwiching together with jam and cream.

When a cake sinks in the middle; the centre can be cut out and decorated with fruits, cream or butter cream.

While microwaving a cake, if it gets overcooked and hard; one can pierce it with a skewer and sprinkle with concentrated juice. The cake can be wrapped in food wrapping and kept for a day or two.

A soufflé should be immediately returned to the oven if it collapses. This way it usually puffs up again in a few minutes and can then be removed again.

While baking, if a cake sticks to the tin; one can loosen the cake by wringing a cloth out of hot water and placing it under the tin.

One can convert a bread into a pudding if it does not turn out the way it should. It really is as simple as it sounds.

For starters who want to try Christmas recipes, how about going through these:

Chocolate banana cupcake

Oatmeal and Buttermilk Teacakes

Bread and Butter Pudding.

Christmas recipes : more joy for kids

Christmas and kids are kind of inseparable! Be it the Christmas tree with gifts around it or the tinsel on the tree and around the house, or be it the cookies, cakes and sweets stacked up on the table, it is the perfect happy time for kids! Along with cookies, gingerbreadmen, even candy canes are used to beautify Christmas trees. These candy canes were first produced in Germany during the later part of 17th century. They were white straight sticks bent in to look like a shepherd’s staff and were distributed to children during the holy worship before and advent of Christmas. After year 1900, the candy canes came in striped formats with red and white colours and flavours of peppermint or wintergreen. Some people also hold the view that the J-shape was used from the initial of Jesus and red and white symbolised blood and purity.

As sweet things are doing the rounds in every household how does one serve something that is filling for the kids. Getting hold of Christmas Recipes becomes all the more challenging. It should not only be fun but have to fulfill the importance of a balanced diet as well. Adults have to satisfy the perplex taste buds of kids while keeping them attractive so that the kids consume it without any fuss.

Make some visually attractive snack mixes keeping in mind the festive mood. It could be caramel popcorn with nuts, or coated chocolates, or coated peanuts etc. Have a cupcake party where kids can decorate their own! Make Christmas cookies in unique shapes and write their names on it. Go for finger foods, baked, grilled or fried. Savoury things are welcome along with the sweet so many things! Chicken fingers, wraps and rolls with sprouts, vegetables, paneer, cheese, egg can be enjoyed. Sandwiches the all time saviours can be made more exciting too by using different breads, different fillings. Try using large cookie cutters to give innovative looks.

As the ideas keep flowing, stop a while and try out some tasty bits like Tricolour Sandwiches, Paneer Frankies, Macaroni Mazaa….

Feeling the New York chills…

Finally, I get the hang of what is called the actual winter! I am here at the New York airport, writing for the blog, while the temperature outside is 9° C. This seems to be a pretty good change into the full wintery mode after the pleasant weather of Mumbai. Really looking forward to the rest of my hectic tourof US and Canada…

In India, for a while: two new publications recently came up namely Vegetarian Soups, containing handpicked selection of Indian and international soups to brighten up meals and just what one would need for the Mumbai weather these days and Vegetarian After-School Snacks, an extensive variety of mouth-watering snacks to tackle the young tummies. The recipes are worth giving a try on. Amongst the rest, the shoots for the new channel, FOODFOOD, are going on in full swing at the office and everybody is very busy and on their toes for it.

Back to my US trip, enough hype has already been created for the book launch for which a press conference has been arranged in New York. A food show is also lined up in Toronto. So, it is going to be long travellings and a lot of media happenings for which I will keep on reporting as I proceed…

While in New York, just incase I can manage some time (which I’m sure I will, in this case!), I will be visiting my friend Rajesh Bhardwaj and check on his outlet Café Spice as I love visiting that place. This is one place which has the right ambiance to give me the Indian feeling and not miss home while I am out of the country.

Incase you are looking for some good recipes, let me share some of the recipes which you can try:

Broccoli Soup,

Pepper Rasam,

Chinese Dosa,

Pizza Margherita

Till I write again…

Sanjeev Kapoor

Christmas cake recipes – Art of baking without sugar

Sugar is the most common sweetening agent in food items. Sadly, it can have many adverse effects on the health which can be both long and short term. Sugar, in extreme quantities can be harmful as it can cause cavities, turn quickly into fat, is dangerous to diabetics and it also adds to the growing problem of obesity. This is the major reason as to why many people today are turning to sugar-free and low-sugar diets for maintaining a healthier lifestyle.

A general notion with people is if baking is done without sugar, it is bound to be tasteless. For instance, a cake is supposed to be sweet, and when one replaces the sugar with a substitute, it will become bland. To be true, sugar free cakes can be as good as the ones with sugar. One just has to keep in mind that while baking a sugar free cake, the ingredients have to be carefully picked up. People might just choose a lot of ingredients which might be loaded with sugar. Even the natural sugars can be as damaging as the artificial ones. Thus, using a sugar substitute is the best choice. Also, using sugar in moderation always does the trick. The basic funda should be to use it wisely.

While baking, one can also use half sugar substitute and half granulated sugar. To bring out the fruitiness in a dish and intensify the flavours of the ingredients used, one can use flavor enhancers such as orange or lemon. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg also help in intensifying flavours even in Christmas cake recipes. Using vanilla, butter flavouring and nut flavourings also produce the aroma of sweetness without the use of butter or excessive use of nuts. Cutting into very small pieces dried fruits such as plums, raisins, apples, pears, peaches, apricots, cherries, and cranberries, which provide tremendous sweetness, helps distribute the flavours and sweetness more evenly. Also, avoid using overripe fruits which are generally very sweet.

Incase one does not want to use a sugar substitute, following tips can be used for making a sugar free or less sugar meal:

• To replace the sugar and fat in soft, chewy cookies, one can add dried fruit puree.

• Bar cookies can be sliced into bite-sized portions.

• Adding natural sweetness of dried chopped fruit to the baked goods is always advantageous instead of the candied variety.

• For decorating, drizzling a bit of chocolate icing made from melted bittersweet chocolate and nonfat is always a good option.

• Before baking, one can always press the tops of reduced-sugar cookies into fine-grain coloured sugar crystals or crushed sugar-free hard candies.

Baking without sugar is not only healthy, but can be fun and as palatable as baking with it. And for Christmas, when one is sure of having that sweet tooth to celebrate the happiness and joy around, dishes with sugar substitutes, like Prune tart, Chocolate butter cake, Apple pie, Bread and butter pudding, Strawberry cheesecake and the likes just do the trick by fulfilling the desires as well as keeping everyone healthy!

Recipes for Christmas – A beverage bonanza

A cold Christmas is ideal for enjoying some excellent spirits. Not only champagne, but beer too is a welcome drink on Christmas Eve in many parts of the world. Special beers for Christmas are made by brewers all around the world. Surprisingly, they have different tastes and strengths and are made suitable for drinking during extreme cold weather conditions. Wine forms a popular drink in the Middle of Europe.

Christmas drinks are meant to warm the cockles of the heart, should be nutritious, fun and memorable. The drinks should highlight the holiday theme and flavour including the garnishes and decorated glassware. These add a festive touch as well as a dash of glamour to any gathering. In order to make a Christmas cocktail or mocktail, be innovative. Catch the eye of the drinker and also satisfy the taste buds. It should not be rich or creamy or sweet because it can spoil the appetite for Christmas dinner.

The presentation techniques play a great role. In this case, make sure to enhance the appearance by garnishing a drink. This can be easily done with ingredients such as sprigs of mint or rosemary, basil leaves, stalks of lemongrass, olives, cinnamon sticks, carrot, celery sticks or cucumber sticks, strawberries, cherries or pineapple wedges. Another interesting way of adding visual appeal to beverage recipes for Christmas is by frosting. Frosting means rimming a cocktail or other glass with sugar or salt. One can use pretty plastic straws, swizzle sticks or any other such decorative item to give a colourful and creative look to the drink. Enjoy these samples: Orange Beer, Cranberry Twister.

Some garnishes

• To make an orange screw, with a zester scrape a thin strip, starting at the tip of the orange on side and going round the orange to end at the tip again. Similarly remove more strips leaving a strip of the peel between each. Then slice the orange horizontally to give screw shaped slices. Give a small slit at one end of the slice and slip it onto the rim of the glass.

• To make a pineapple stick, cut pineapple into small cubes. Take small skewers and string one cube followed by two pineapple leaves held at a cross and end with another pineapple slice. Press them gently and place it over the rim of the glass.

• To make flavoured ice cubes, add a little water to pineapple, orange, khus and raspberry syrups. Pour them into separate ice trays and keep them in the freezer to set. Serve with soda.

Winter is here…

The shoots for the much awaited new channel have already begun, and I’ve been shuttling between the studios and the office these days. But amidst this, let me just share a bit of the winter happiness (though not in the true sense!), as Mumbai winters are just not that cold to give you the actual feeling.

Let’s just talk about some winter veggies and the goodness that they bring along with them. Carrots and radishes belonging to the root family are full of healthy facts and using them in the diet is surely beneficial, not only for children but for adults as well. Carrots, though usually in orange colour, are also available in a variety of other colours such as white, yellow, red or purple.

A carrot is an excellent source of antioxidant compounds, and the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. Thus, it helps protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer and also promote good vision, especially night vision. A radish on the other hand is a great source of vitamin C and is rich in minerals like sulphur, iron and iodine. One can use radish in vegetable juices to spice up the flavor a little. In this form, it can help clear the sinus cavities and soothe sore throats. The Vitamin C in radishes is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and has been shown to have a positive effect on asthma symptoms because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Potassium in it can help lower the risk of kidney stones and strokes as well.

Both these veggies can be used in a number of forms in a variety of soups, salads and juices besides using them in the main course dishes. And surprisingly, most of the kids also like these vegetables. So, it is not much of a problem for the mothers to cook up dishes with carrots and radishes which satisfy the taste buds of the younger generation as well as maintain the healthy quotient in it.

The website is up and running with the Winter Special and Goan Delights in the My Recipe World section. And I’m pretty sure that you will find a recipe or two with the talked about veggies in these sections. Don’t forget to check them out!

Something to get you going:

Carrot and Mushroom Medley

Mixed Fruit and Carrot Juice

Mooli Ka Parantha

Till I write again…

Sanjeev Kapoor

Recipes for Christmas – Bake that perfect cookie

Christmas and cookies are just inseparable from each other. Some of the most common cookie shapes that can be found during this time are stars, angels, bells, trees, etc. Cookies are also the most conventional snack which the children leave for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Usually, the mixing of cookie dough is quick and easy.

three important tips:

• Let the butter, eggs, nuts and any other ingredients warm almost to the room temperature unless it is specified.

• Keep in mind, not to overbeat the dough once the flour is added to the wet ingredients in a recipe, as this can result in tough cookies.

• While combining different flours, one has to keep in mind that too much flour makes cookies tough and dry and too little makes them spread and lose their shape. One can experiment by substituting dried fruit for nuts, vice-versa or a combination of both to have variations. The same goes for extracts, chocolate chips or coconut. Try Chocolate Chip Cookies and the peanut Butter and oatmeal Cookies.

Cookie recipes are the most swapped recipes for Christmas! When baking cookies, it is always advisable to preheat the oven 20 minutes before baking and incase of a convection oven, it has to be set to 25° lower than the recipe requirements.

Six important tips:

• While choosing a baking sheet, keep in mind to choose a medium-to-heavy-gauge baking sheet. Aluminum sheets having a shiny baking surface and dulled bottoms should be used as they produce even browning.

• Cookie sheets must be greased with butter. Cookies having a high amount of fat can be baked on ungreased sheets.

• When the baking sheet is to be filled, keep in mind that it has to be done by placing cookies of equal size and thickness atleast one inch apart.

• Cool and wipe the cookie sheets with a dry paper towel between batches.

• While baking, make sure to bake only one sheet of cookies at a time, on the centre oven rack. For even baking, rotate the sheet halfway through for even baking.

• Place the cookies on the racks to cool, within 2-3 minutes after cookies have finished baking. And if cookies cool and stick to the sheet, return them to the oven for a few minutes to heat and soften again.

Decorations can be used smartly:

• sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar to indicate spices (click on christmas Cookies)

• few coconut shreds to indicate a coconut filling.

Christmas dinner recipes – how the world celebrates

Here’s a peek into the kitchens of the world during Christmas time!

Australia: It’s a summer Christmas always! So barbeque time - prawns, steak and chicken, on the beaches ending the huge feast with ice creams and sorbets. Have a taste of Barbequed Chicken.

Czech Republic: As a tradition (and an auspicious event) people sit in even numbers for dinner which can be fish soup, salads, eggs and carp.

Finland: It is customary to see casseroles of macaroni, rutabaga, carrots and potatoes, with ham or turkey or a mixed platter of meat and fish.

Germany: The popular poultry is still goose, roasted whole and served with potatoes, cabbage, carrots, parsnip and pickles. However, rural southern Germany still relishes wild boar and venison on Christmas day.

Greenland: The traditional Christmas dinner recipes may include ‘kiviak’: little seabirds named auks that are a bit like penguins, wrapped in sealskin and they are buried whole in this sealskin for several months till they reach an advanced stage of decomposition. Considered a delicacy. Other foods that are enjoyed are soups and stews, barbequed fish, or even raw fish. Baked apples and berried with crisp toppings and Danish pastries form the desserts. You could try out a simple Apple Crumble at home.

Italy: An Italian Christmas lunch is a leisurely seven course feast: antipasto, a small portion of pasta, roast meat, two salads, two sweet puddings followed by cheese, fruit, brandy and chocolates.

Jamaica: The traditional Christmas dinner is rice, peas, chicken, ox tail and curried goat.

Portugal: A special meal includes salted dry cod-fish with boiled potatoes eaten at midnight on Christmas Eve.

Russia: Christmas delicacies include cakes, pies and meat dumplings.

South Africa: It is the hot summer season during Christmas but they traditionally have a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Sweden: A super buffet for Christmas boasting of varieties of shellfish, pork, cooked and raw herring fish, caviar, cheese and brown beans.

United Kingdom: Christmas Pudding and Mince Pies are top of the list. A Christmas luncheon with family and friends will have turkey, roast vegetables, sausage and bacon. With the two favoured desserts even chocolates are generously passed around.

USA: With its multi cultural population, there is nothing specific as a Christmas feast. However, in small towns and rural America, goose, turkey, a variety of vegetables, squash, and pumpkin pie are traditionally eaten on Christmas day. Families from Western European origins enjoy turkey or ham with cranberry sauce. Families from Eastern European origins have a larger spread with turkey and its trimmings, keilbasi (a Polish sausage), cabbage preparations and some soups. It could be Christmas lasagna for some Italian families! Something like Spinach and Mozzarella Lasagna could interest you!