THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS SUGAR PLUM RECIPES

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore


'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

Okay, I am gonna stop you right there.
When you hear this story didn't you ever say "what is a sugar-plum ????
I did, so I did a little research and found a recipe or 2 for
Old Fashioned Sugar Plums. After all there are also 'sugar plum faeries'
written about in literature.
There is a great debate, amoung Regional cooks on what a
sugar plum was and is ...

The following are some Sugarplum explanations
passed down through the years :
-sugar coated coriander
-plum compote with chocolate coating
-a small round or oval piece of sugary candy
-plums preserved in sugar
-an actual fruit, called the sugarplum
-small confections, often consisting of fruit such as dried cherries and apricots,
surrounded by fondant. (2 of these types of recipes to follow)

Sugarplum "trees" were also a big hit in Victorian England. Small cones were pierced with toothpick laden sugarplums to create a vision of a tree flowing with sugarplums.

The idea of sugarplums have been around for sometime now,
dating back to at least 16th century England where a sugarplum recipe called for cooks to:
"Take your apricocks or pearplums, & let them boile one walme in as much clarified sugar as will cover them" and then "let your fruits boile leysurelie 3 or 4 walmes, then take them foorth of the syrup"
*cookery quotes courtesy of Elinor Fettiplace's Receipt Book,
dated 1604


SUGAR PLUMS RECIPE
#1

1 cup raisins
1 cup bite-size pitted prunes
1 cup dates
1 cup currants
1 cup candied cherries, dried cherries, or dried cranberries
1 cup walnuts
1/2 to 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
granulated sugar

Using a meat grinder or a food processor,
grind the fruit and nuts and mix well.
Work into the mixture as much confectioners' sugar as it takes to form 1-inch balls.
Roll in granulated sugar, then place on a rack to dry for 24 hours.

*For crunchy Sugarplums, preheat oven to 350 degrees, place Sugarplums on cookie sheet,
Bake 15 minutes, remove from oven and cool for 15 to 30 minutes.




SUGARPLUMS
Recipe #2
recipe:courtesy of kid chef

Ingredients
2 cups whole almonds -- toasted, chopped fine,
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon,
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1 cup dried black mission figs, finely chopped

Directions:
Combine honey with spices.
Stir into chopped fruit and nuts that have been
processed in a food processor.
roll into balls.
roll in powdered sugar.

about 2 dozen sugarplums



Now, back to our story,
although, I could stop you here-and-there with recipes for
Crock pot Chicken Breasts that you simmer all night,
or snow ice cream, cherries Jubilee , home made jellies, perhaps venison stew ?
oooh, owwww, scratch that one, that is a little much.
okay, back to our story. . .



And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

Speaking of fireplaces and ashes...

I remember reading about a 'ash cake' recipe from years ago
they made up the batter and tucked it under
the ashes of the fireplace / hearth/ cooking area and let it cook.
After it was done you simply brushed off the ashes and sprinkled with
sugar or slathered it with butter.

I will see if I can find it for you and post it later :)

once again returning to our Christmas tale...



A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."




Just a second
:)

for those who took the time to read the entire story,
here is a special recipe for You.


SUGAR DROP DOUGHNUTS RECIPE

3 cups regular flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
3 Tbsp. melted butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups confectioner's sugar


Preheat at least 3 inches of oil to 365 F.
You can use a saucepan, an electric skillet or deep fryer.

Combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg
in a large bowl and mix well

Whisk milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until
blended. Add milk mixture to flour mixture and mix well.

Drop batter by rounded spoonful into hot oil.

Cook until golden on all sides , app~ 2 minutes
Drain on paper towels.
Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.

"One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song,

read a good poem, see a fine picture,

and if possible,

speak a few reasonable words."

I hope you are having a Happy Holiday~

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