I am always disappointed when December 26th rolls around. All the wonderful parts of our faith that are so meaningful this time of year, advent, parties, music, beauty, special foods, lights, and time with family, seem to cease so abruptly. To some folks the 26th of December is all about more shopping at the malls looking for deals that eluded them prior to Christmas. Don't take me to the mall! I am not fond of shopping and I am less fond of crowds.
In past times, Christmas day merely commenced more days of meaning. Remember the song "Good King Wenseczslaus looked out on the Feast of Stephen?" Well, the Feast of Stephen is December 26th. The "twelve days of Christmas" refer to the days of the interval beginning with December 25th and ending with January 6th, the feast day of "Epiphany." In France and Mexico January 6th is also known as "Three Kings Day," when presents are exchanged in honor of gifts brought to the Christ Child or "Krist Kindl" (sound familiar?).
I am having no problem extending and enjoying the season. I and Sam drove through the very cold southwest to Denver. The mercury hovered around 10 degrees for most of our drive till we reached Albuqurque where it was a balmy 28 degrees. For two southern California boys our blood felt a little thin. Denver has a foot of snow, it is cold, and it is still Christmas. We now celebrate Christmas all over again, as well as the conjoined birthdays of Iris and Lydia.
I brought another group of gifts to the Farrens family which we will all share. Gifts of meat. Standing beef rib roast, crown roast (or "prime rib") of pork, and pork tenderloin. We might as well keep the feasting going as well. I'll write about preparing those later. Last night was Pork tenderloin, green beans, and brown rice.
My grand-daughters Lydia and Iris are brown rice eating machines. Iris (1 year old) ate a full two cup portion. They also like it for breakfast. Brown rice is much more healthy for you as all the fiber is still present, and has been processed much less. The down side to brown rice? It takes pretty much forever to cook. No "minute rice" is available in brown. To speed things up slightly, use short grain, but plan on one hour of cooking time. What do you do with the leftovers? Try this yummy soup.
Green Tea Soup (jasmine tea may be substituted and is quite delicious as well)
2 cups short grain brown rice
1 tsp salt
1 package toasted seasoned Nori
1 lb lean white fish, black cod, halibut, rockfish, or other (cubed into 1" pieces)
2 green onions
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp tamari soy sauce
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1/2 tsp red chile flakes
2 tsp rice vinegar
8 teaspoons bulk green tea (or 8 teabags)
2 cups chicken stock
1 tsp black sesame seeds
1) Prepare brown rice or retrieve your leftover brown rice.
2)Slice nori into 1/4 inch strips. Set aside. Slice green onions including white parts into diaganol 1/2 slices. Set aside.
3) Prepare green tea with 8 cups water.
4) Add tea, rice, chicken stock, fish, and all other ingredients to a large stock pot.
5) Quickly bring all ingredients to a boil, then turn heat immediately to low. Allow to rest on low for twenty minutes. Serve and enjoy.
* you can also add a very lightly poached egg to each bowl of soup just prior to serving for beauty and delicious extra notes of flavor
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