Few pleasures are as simple and precious as sharing a meal around a table, surrounded by the people we love. These moments of togetherness are the essence of Christmas, and our team wants to help make this season even more magical. That’s why we are offering two must-try traditional Christmas recipes, created by Claudette Taillefer and Sister Angèle, that are sure to tantalize your taste buds and warm your hearts.
Claudette Taillefer’s Christmas Turkey: A Timeless Classic
When we think of a Christmas meal, the image of a delicious golden turkey immediately comes to mind. A true symbol of the holiday season, turkey can be prepared in countless ways, but we’ve chosen to highlight a classic and refined recipe from Claudette Taillefer.
Ingredients
1 turkey, approximately 4.5 to 5.5 kg (10 to 12 lb)
White vinegar
1 large onion, chopped
2 bay leaves
3 sprigs of fresh or dried thyme
Salt and pepper
125 ml (1/2 cup) butter, softened
45 ml (3 tbsp.) poultry seasoning
250 ml (1 cup) chicken broth
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 120°C (250°F).
At the time of preparation, it is preferable that the turkey be at room temperature.
Clean the inside and outside of the poultry. A cloth soaked in vinegar can do the job.
You can now stuff the poultry with thyme, bay leaf, salt and pepper.
Spread the butter all over the turkey. Add poultry seasoning, salt and pepper inside and out.
Place the turkey in an enameled cast iron or porcelain container or in a roasting pan with a tight-fitting lid.
At the bottom of the container, you can add the broth and close the lid.
Cook approximately 30 min per lb (450 g) or about 6 hours in total. At this point, the thigh bone should come off easily.
Baste a few times during cooking. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serve with a mixture of sautéed mushrooms and peppers, or Brussels sprouts, or mashed carrots and potatoes.
Sister Angèle's Christmas Sugar Fudge: A Festive Dessert
After a hearty Christmas meal, it’s time for something sweet! And what better way to end a holiday feast than with a comforting dessert? Sister Angèle’s sugar fudge, both creamy and delightfully sweet, is a festive treat that will delight your guests.
Ingredients
250 ml (1 cup) sugar
250 ml (1 cup) brown sugar
250 ml (1 cup) 35% cream
5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
15 ml (1 tbsp.) unsalted butter
Preparation
Line the bottom of a 20-cm (8-inch) square pan with a strip of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Be sure to let it stick out a bit on each side.
Use a measuring cup that can hold 2 liters (8 cups) and is made to be microwave safe, to mix together the brown sugar, cream and sugar.
Cook in the microwave for the first time for 4 minutes. Then, stir and resume cooking for another 4 minutes (see note).
You can add butter, vanilla, and whip at high speed with an electric mixer, until the mixture becomes thick and loses its glossy side. This step should take about 2 minutes.
Spread your mixture in the mold, taking care to spread it evenly. Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until the mixture hardens. All that remains is to unmold and cut into squares.
Tips and Tricks
Note that the power of the microwave oven you use may affect the cooking time. In our case, we are using a 1000 watt oven. In the case of a 500 watt microwave oven, the cooking time would be more like 10 minutes and 30 seconds.
Find a Festive Living Environment Rich in Activities
If preparing a Christmas meal is becoming a challenge, why not consider spending Christmas in a warm and festive environment? Senior livings offer friendly settings where community spirit and activities abound.
The team at Bonjour Résidences is here to guide you, free of charge, in your search for the perfect senior living. Together, let’s find the ideal place where you can enjoy a Christmas filled with joy and peace, without stress or hassle.
Contact us today at 1 844 918-1020 to learn more and speak with one of our senior housing specialists.
