ميلاد مجيد

Christmas eve was celebrated Middle Eastern style at somerville kitchen.

Friends of different religions hanging out in front of the Christmas tree, feasting for close to four hours. Cheeses, mezza, 'jaaj mahshi', 'buche de noel' - all a must at this night back home.

First came the cheese platter. 

A deliciously simple combination of Camembert cheese with raisin bread and pecan (the original recipe called for hazel nuts, but none to be found). Try it; those three elements go great together.

There was also a festive looking feta mix - feta cheese with green onions, tomatoes, olive oil and oregano, served with oats crackers.

And then came the goat cheese with pickled thyme phyllo rolls that disappeared pretty quick.

 

A platter of humus covered with hot ground beef and roasted pine nuts smothered in hot olive oil and served with pita kept all going while the chicken roasted and the conversation flowed.

'jaaj mahshi' or stuffed chicken in Arabic is a very traditional Christmas eve meal. Way simpler than the North American turkey - you partially cook some rice, mix with ground beef, roasted pine nuts and almonds, stuff and roast.

The rice comes out with a unique taste and texture that no stove cooked rice can match.

Asking my brother what best to serve with this, he recommended a festive potato salad with middle-eastern dressing of olive oil and lemon juice.

It was made with boiled potatoes with chopped tomatoes, red peppers, green peppers and parsley.

Can one get more festive than this?

Of course one could!

A beautiful Anita "buche de noel" - white cake roll with orange chunks covered with a delicious cream cheese frosting.

A very memorable Christmas eve, but the most fun was had by cats opening his new toys.

 

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Fröhliche Weihnachten, ميلاد مجيد