Ethnic Christmas Recipes To Share

By Jill Kuraitis, 12-24-06

Even in Idaho, there are Lithuanians. Altogether now: I'll be darned.

Both my husband and I are of Lithuanian origin - he is first generation and I'm second. We met on a blind date, set up by my cousin Gila, with the Lithuanian-ness in common being part of the intrigue. When I opened my Los Angeles apartment door to the adorable Vince Uzkuraitis, I fell hard, and nearly 25 years later, still do, every day.

His mother, still with us at a vigorous 83, and my late mother had much in common. One of them was cooking, and I have a treasure trove of interesting ethnic recipes from the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. Some of them are, frankly, awful - a lot of sauerkraut, beets, and pickled cold meats - the old-world solutions to a lack of refrigeration. But the sweet things are delightful, and I especially like them because they're not overly sweet. Here is one of my favorites: Lithuanian Raisin Bread. It's traditional for any holiday, and you can make it this afternoon for a Christmas breakfast or brunch.

Why not share a family or ethnic holiday recipe in comments? A great collection could be born, right here on New West.

Merry Christmas, or, as we say, Linksmų Kalėdų!

INGREDIENTS FOR LITHUANIAN RAISIN BREAD
· 2 cups milk, scalded
· 2 packages active dry, or cake, yeast
· 3/4 cup sugar, divided into 1/2 and 1/4 cups
· 6 1/2 cups finely sifted flour
· 3 eggs
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1 cup white raisins
· 1/2 cup butter, melted
· 1 egg yolk
· 1 1/2 tablespoons water

DIRECTIONS
Cool milk to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast, 1/4 cup of the sugar in milk. Add 3 cups flour; mix well. Cover; let rise in warm place until light, bubbly.
Combine eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, salt, raisins and butter; beat well. Add to dough. Add remaining flour; knead well. Reserve to rise until double in bulk.
Punch down. Shape into 2 loaves; place in bread pans. Allow to rise again. Brush top with glaze of 1 egg yolk combined with 1 1/2 tablespoons water. Bake 50 minutes at 350°.

Lithuanian Christmas Traditions page [End of article]