Mind Body Soul Food
  • Home
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Partners & Collaborations
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Resources
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Sunspiration
  • Contact

A Journey into Thought & Spirit

Ukrainian Pear Kysil

1/4/2021

1 Comment

 
Picture
Ukrainian (Orthodox) Christmas is here and in part of the remembrance of celebrating this day with my great grandmother, I decided to make a traditional Ukrainian treat in honor of this special day. 
Picture
Kysil is a type of sweet dessert or beverage that uses seasonal fruits. Depending on how much corn starch one adds in, it can have the consistency and flavor of a pie filling. It's perfect to eat on it's own, or even on top of something like angel food cake. 
Picture
Picture
I found this vintage designer pear blouse that was made in the Ukraine, and so along with the holiday, the inspiration struck to make food that is traditional for the holiday but also seasonal. Uzar is the most traditional Ukrainian dessert served on the holiday, but I find Kysil to be easier to find ingredients especially during COVID 19. 

​Complete with a shaft of wheat on the table, this holiday is complete with savory food and historic stories. 

Picture
The following has more history and information on Ukrainian Christmas. This information comes directly from brama.com.

​"Christianity was introduced into Ukraine in 988 A.D. The flourishing pagan religion and traditions associated with it were too deeply rooted in the people to allow the Church to eradicate them completely. Therefore, the Church adopted a policy of tolerance toward most of the ancient customs and accepted many as part of the Christian holidays. In this way, the ancient pagan Feasts of Winter Solstice, Feasts of Fertility became part of Christian Christmas customs. This is perhaps why Ukrainian Christmas customs are quite unique and deeply symbolic.

Ukrainian Christmas festivities begin on Christmas Eve ([G]Dec.24; [J]Jan.6.) and end on the Feast of the Epiphany. The Christmas Eve Supper or Sviata Vecheria (Holy Supper) brings the family together to partake in special foods and begin the holiday with many customs and traditions, which reach back to antiquity. The rituals of the Christmas Eve are dedicated to God, to the welfare of the family, and to the remembrance of the ancestors.

With the appearance of the first star which is believed to be the Star of Bethlehem, the family gathers to begin supper.

The table is covered with two tablecloths, one for the ancestors of the family, the second for the living members. In pagan times ancestors were considered to be benevolent spirits, who, when properly respected, brought good fortune to the living family members. Under the table, as well as under the tablecloths some hay is spread to remember that Christ was born in a manger. The table always has one extra place-setting for the deceased family members, whose souls, according to belief, come on Christmas Eve and partake of the food. 

A kolach (Christmas bread) is placed in the center of the table. This bread is braided into a ring, and three such rings are placed one on top of the other, with a candle in the center of the top one. The three rings symbolize the Trinity and the circular form represents Eternity.

A didukh (meaning grandfather) is a sheaf of wheat stalks or made of mixed grain stalks. It is placed under the icons in the house. In Ukraine, this is a very important Christmas tradition, because the stalks of grain symbolize all the ancestors of the family, and it is believed that their spirits reside in it during the holidays.

After the didukh is positioned in the place of honor, the father or head of the household places a bowl of  kutia (boiled wheat mixed with poppy seeds and honey) next to it. Kutia is the most important food of the entire Christmas Eve Supper, and is also called God’s Food. A jug of  uzvar (stewed fruits, which should contain twelve different fruits) and is called God’s Drink, is also served.

After all the preparations have been completed, the father offers each member of the family a piece of bread dipped in honey, which had been previously blessed in church. He then leads the family in prayer. After the prayer the father extends his best wishes to everyone with the greeting  Khrystos Razhdaietsia(Christ is born), and the family sits down to a twelve-course meatless Christmas Eve Supper. 
There are twelve courses in the Supper, because according to the Christian tradition each course is dedicated to one of Christ's Apostles. According to the ancient pagan belief, each course stood was for every full moon during the course of the year. The courses are meatless because there is a period of fasting required by the Church until Christmas Day. However, for the pagans the meatless dishes were a form of bloodless sacrifice to the gods.

The first course is always kutia. It is the main dish of the whole supper. Then comes  borshch (beet soup) with vushka (boiled dumplings filled with chopped mushrooms and onions). This is followed by a variety of fish - baked, broiled, fried, cold in aspic, fish balls, marinated herring and so on. Then come varenyky (boiled dumplings filled with cabbage, potatoes, buckwheat grains, or prunes. There are also  holubtsi (stuffed cabbage), and the supper ends with  uzvar."
Picture
Picture
So from me to you, and if you celebrate Orthodox Christmas, have a very Merry Christmas. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

This vintage shirt and Ukrainian table cloth and other vintage items are available on my Etsy shop, The Elizabethan Closet.

Picture
Picture
Ukrainian Pear Kysil
Cook Time: 20-3 minutes
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
4 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 large lemon, juiced
4 smalls pears, peeled
3 tbsp corn starch
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves

Directions: 
​Wash and peel the pears. Core the pears and slice the pears. In a pot, bring the water with the  pear peels to a boil. 

Meanwhile, In a bowl, mix together the pear fruit fresh and the lemon juice until well-coated. Once the mixture is boiling, reduce to a low simmer and add in the sugar, spices and pears covered in lemon juice. This will need to cook for nearly 20. minutes or until the pear slices are cuttable with a knife. 

Near the end of cooking, dissolve the cornstarch in some water. Whisk until thin, and do not let it sit as the corn starch clumps at the bottom. Pour the dissolved corn starch into the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir constantly and then remove from heat.

COOKING NOTE:The mixture will thicken upon standing. This recipe is for more of a dessert-style recipe. If you want it thicker, add one more tablespoon of cornstarch. For a drink version only add 1-2 tbsp. 

Recipe adapted from Ukrainian Recipes 

Let's Connect! Enjoy my other Ukrainian / winter-based recipes below! 
Follow
Picture
Vegan + GF Cardamom-Spiced Pear Crostata
Picture
Vegan Unstuffed Cabbage
Picture
Sugar Free & All Natural Christmas Punch
1 Comment
Angel Castor
7/5/2024 10:08:23 pm

I'm Angel Castor from the US. White Caucasian Female. I'm 43 years old and I got married at the age of 25, I have only two children and I am living happily.

Five years ago, my husband's behavior became so strange that I didn't really understand what was going on. He packed out of the house to another woman’s house and I love him so much that I
never dream of losing him, I tried my best to make sure that my husband got back to me but all to no avail, I cried and cried seeking help. I discussed it with my best friend Alison and she told me she can help me. She told me of a man called Dr. Odunga, she told me he is a very great man and a real man that can be trusted and there is nothing concerning love and Pregnancy issues he cannot solve and she told me how he has helped her and countless number of people in

restoring their relationship. I quickly contacted his email address at [email protected] I explained all my problems to him, he told me that I should not worry that all my problems will be fine. Presently, I am very happy I got my husband back to me with the help of Dr. Odunga and we are living happily with so much love for each other. What-app message/call him at +2348167159012 to help you

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Elizabeth Rae Kovar M.A. is  Author of her memoir, Finding Om and is a Fitness Trainer, Yogi, Reiki Master, Presenter and Lover of Life. To view her portfolio please visit www.elizabethkovar.com
    Follow her travels at: lemontreetravel.com

    Picture
    Follow
    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Categories

    All
    Body
    Food
    Metaphysics
    Mind
    Soul
    Sunspiration
    Vegan Recipes
    Wellness Travel
    YouTube

    Archives

    October 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Partners & Collaborations
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Resources
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Sunspiration
  • Contact