The most wonderful time of the year is rooted in tradition. All around the world, different cultures and regions celebrate Christmas in exciting and unique ways, particularly through food. Read on to discover how Thermomix® can help you incorporate global Christmas traditions that will delight your friends and family and enhance your festive season.
While December 25th is Christmas Day, in many parts of the world the main celebrations take place the night before. Christmas Eve is a time when families come together to exchange gifts and share a special meal. One example of this is the Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian American celebration that takes place on Christmas Eve and features a smorgasbord of delicious seafood and fish dishes.
For countries where the main celebration falls on Christmas Day, December 24th is often filled with last-minute shopping, gift-wrapping, and housework. On such a busy day, cooking a complicated meal is the last thing on anyone’s mind. Make things a little easier with Slow Cook Mode: simply choose a tender pulled meat dish or taco filling and let Thermomix® simmer away until it’s time to serve.
Whilst the day of celebration may be the same, the food eaten for Christmas lunch varies significantly around the world depending on local custom and traditions. Here are a few examples:
• Japan: Following a clever marketing campaign in the 1970s, many Japanese families gather around a bucket of fried chicken on Christmas Day, despite Christmas not being a traditional religious holiday in Japan.
• Ethiopia: Christmas is marked with a traditional celebratory meal consisting of a hearty doro wat, or spicy chicken stew, served with injera, a type of flatbread.
• Poland and Eastern Europe: Across the region, a 12-dish, meatless meal is tradition, typically featuring dishes like fish, beetroot borscht, and kutia, a sweet pudding made with honey and nuts.
Around the world, Christmas tables are graced with desserts that carry history, symbolism, and a touch of magic. In New Zealand and Australia, the pavlova - a crisp meringue with whipped cream, and fresh fruit - is said to honour Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, its lightness reflecting her grace during 1920s tours.
Over the decades, pavlova has evolved beyond its classic strawberry and kiwi topping, with modern variations including tropical fruits, chocolate drizzles, or even festive spices for a Christmas twist. And while pavlova looks impressive, it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Thermomix® makes it effortless to whip egg whites to the perfect glossy peaks and create that essential silky meringue texture. From there, the oven does the magic, and you can focus on the fun part: decorating your masterpiece.
With Remote Monitoring, your Thermomix® TM7 keeps you in the loop - wherever you are. Get live updates and instant notifications on your smartphone through Cookidoo®, so you always know exactly how your meal is coming along. No need to hover in the kitchen; relax or tackle your to-do list while your Thermomix® TM7 does the work. Enjoy smarter, more convenient cooking that fits into your busy day!
