This Christmas Part Four

The beginning of Las posadas

The tradition of Las Posadas is celebrated in the Latin American countries and communities starts on this day, just nine days before Christmas.

Meaning “the shelters” or “The Inns”, this is a religious and social procession led by children, followed by adults and musicians. They travel to a different house in the neighborhood each night looking for lodging.

At each house a song is exchanged and they are finally allowed in for a party.

Many of Latin descent today have morphed this into more of a secular series of get together's at friends homes on each of the nights leading to Christmas day. It is a great way of connecting and socializing during this season. 

Each of these usually don't last more than a single drink or two and maybe an exchange of tokens of friendships. A way of spreading the warmth of caring during the middle of the coldest months!

This is just one variation of one tradition you might consider shaping into something that fits you and your loved ones!

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Well what have we learned in our nighttime travels? What makes the “Joy” and “Magic”? We have seen kids eyes excited by getting not just a gift, but something that someone found out they really wanted!

OK, maybe that was more of an adult interpretation of what they felt, but slave thinks it is more at the root of the feeling.

We have seen the happiness of concentrating on the positive memories from our past and not the sadness of loss.

We have seen the simple joy that even a little bit of effort for someone else brings. For just tiny touches can brighten the day.

We have seen how time spent, attention, doing little things, basic caring all come together to join the smiles and company of those we love and suddenly it is magic!

For caregivers, it should come as no shock. As a slave, I understand the wonderful feeling that comes from doing small things for someone can bring. So even if this is not the complete, great, all-encompassing answer to the truth we sought, it will do as a working hypothesis. And we have work to do. Yet can we call it work when it is so enjoyable?

Tonight slave shall try out a new recipe!

Sweet Corn Bread Pudding

 Even though this is called a pudding it is more of a cornbread dressing to be served as a side dish.

 

 Ingredients

• ½ onion, diced fine
• 1 ounce unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon thyme
• ½ teaspoon rosemary
• 1 (15oz) can creamed style sweet corn
• 1 (15oz) can sweet corn
• 1 cup non-fat Half and Half
• 2 eggs
  

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal, whole grain, stone ground
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• 2 cups cubed French or Ciabatta bread
  

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray a muffin pan

 

Sweat onions with butter and herbs in a skillet until translucent.
 







Combine corn, cream, eggs, baking powder, cornmeal, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. 









Add cubed bread and fold to combine.

 














Empty the skillet into the bowl and mix well with the batter/bread mixture.

Bake for about 50 minutes or until set.

Cool slightly before serving.

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Serving my Master Indy

socialslave

 

To satisfy and restore.

To nourish, support and maintain.

To gratify, spoil, comfort and please,

to nurture, assist, and sustain

…..I cook!