Sochivo is a very symbolic Christmas dish, which is often compared to kutya, sometimes they are not distinguished. The principle of preparation, like the ingredients, they have very similar. But there are a few differences.
First of all, sochi is not a memorial, but an exclusively festive dish.
Secondly, this porridge has a liquid consistency and several interesting components. How to cook and serve Christmas stuff?
Symbolic oyster: when and how to eat
Christmas Eve, namely January 6, is considered the strictest day of fasting. According to tradition, eating begins only with the appearance of the first star in the sky. It is comic that helps restore strength after limitations. It is prepared from lean and exclusively natural ingredients. The dish is sweet, multi-component, may have different ingredients, but usually the base is made from cereals, honey, poppy seeds, fruit broth and nuts.
Sochiv has a liquid consistency. It is put on the table in a common bowl, and then laid out with a ladle or a large spoon in portioned dishes. But you can immediately pour it into small bowls, serve each person individually. It is a very satisfying meal, so it is important to make small portions.
By the way, according to an ancient tradition, the children delivered their evening meal and kutya to their relatives on Christmas Eve, and godparents were a priority. They, in turn, gave the children sweets, money and other gifts.
The value of the ingredients
- Wheat or other cereals. This ingredient means rebirth and God's grace. The emergence of something new, the resurrection.
- Honey, dried fruits. These ingredients symbolize a sweet life with God's blessing.
- Nuts. Like grain, they symbolize future resurrection, rebirth, strength and grace.
- Poppy. In Sochi, unlike kutya, it is always present. This ingredient symbolizes wealth, wealth in the family.
Assembly and storage
It is done with honey and soaked poppy seeds, uzvar, these ingredients can ferment. Therefore, it is not recommended to store the dish for more than 12-16 hours.
He is not cooked in advance, made directly on Christmas Eve.
Very often boil cereals, make dressings and roast nuts in advance, but mix everything immediately before serving. A convenient option with its own nuances. The uzvar, nuts and cereals should cool, honey should not be heated. Also, do not take a lot of wheat. Sochivo is a generous and rich dish that is not spared.
Ingredient preparation
- Croup. Traditionally, it is wheat. But it is also cooked with bulgur, rice, and old recipes with peas. Wheat needs to be sorted out, washed, soaked a little and boiled. If other cereals are used, then they are prepared in a classic way.
- Nuts. It is best to use a mix of hazelnut and walnut. But almonds, peanuts, seeds are also good. If necessary, clean the nut. Then it is fried or dried well.
- Honey. It is advisable to use natural liquid honey, but by Christmas the product usually crystallizes. You can slightly warm it up.
- Poppy. A required ingredient that is prepared in a special way. He distinguishes comic from kutya. To grind poppy need a mortar, you can use a blender.
- Dried fruits, candied fruits, zest, ginger. They are often present in sympathy, but are not required ingredients. Used for taste, color and brightness, enrich the dish.
Features of cooking
Another component that is necessary for preparing an oyster is an uzvar. Saturated compote of dried fruits is used to breed cereals and other ingredients, it gives a liquid consistency. The more ingredients in the drink, the tastier it will turn out. The cooking time is unlimited, but it is better to give the drink a little boil, and then wrap it in a blanket, leave it for 8-10 hours.
What to use for the pattern:
- pears and apples;
- prunes
- raisins;
- dried cherries;
- dried apricots.
For flavor, zest, cloves, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon are introduced into the drink. You can take any other ingredients to your taste, change the composition of the pattern. Sometimes juices add boiled fruit slices, but it’s better not to do this, they will turn the dish into a mess. Sugar is also not worth introducing, honey is diluted with broth when dressing Christmas treats.
Old Christmas Oatmeal Recipe
Here is a traditional option for making Christmas wheat dishes. It can be bought in the department with cereals or in health food stores. Ordinary wheat suitable for feeding animals is also suitable, but we carefully sort out the grains, remove the spoiled specimens, and wash them.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. wheat;
- 60 g of poppy;
- 1 handful of hazelnuts;
- 1 handful of walnuts;
- a handful of raisins;
- 2 tablespoons candied fruit (optional);
- 3-4 tablespoons of honey (with a slide);
- uzvar.
Cooking method
- Soak the wheat and boil until tender. We must get whole but soft grains inside. To do this, we regularly check readiness, do not give an active gurgle. After cooking, immediately drain all the water. We cover a bowl with wheat so that the grains do not dry out, leave to cool.
- Dry and chop nuts. Do not grind, namely cut or slightly crush. Slices should be the size of a buckwheat.
- Add a bit of honey to the honey, dissolve.
- We wash the poppy, fill it with water and set to cook. Boil over low heat for about half an hour. Then pour into a sieve. We shift into a mortar and mnem until the appearance of milk. As soon as the mass becomes light, ready. You can just grind the poppy with a blender.
- We washed the washed raisins with a warm Uzvar, let stand and swell.
- We combine wheat with ground poppy seeds, nuts, add honey, introduce raisins. Stir. If it works out cool, then we add some more fruit broth. If desired, decorate with candied fruit, you can sprinkle with whole nuts.
If honey is not possible, then it can be replaced with concentrated sugar syrup. It is prepared from a glass of sand and 0.5 cups of oxen, boil for 2-4 minutes after boiling. Lemon juice is allowed.
