Sochivo - a very symbolic Christmas dish, which is often compared with kutya, sometimes they are not distinguished. The principle of preparation, as well as the ingredients, they are very similar. But there are a few differences.
First of all, sochivo is not a memorial, but only a festive dish.
Secondly, this porridge has a watery texture and several interesting components. How to cook and serve Christmas sochivo?
Symbolic way: when and how to eat
Christmas Eve, namely January 6, is considered the most severe day of fasting. According to tradition, there is only beginning with the appearance of the first asterisk in the sky. It helps to regain strength after restrictions. It is made from lean and exclusively natural ingredients. The dish is sweet, multicomponent, may have different ingredients, but usually at the heart of the base of cereals, honey, poppy seeds, fruit decoction and nuts.
Really has a watery consistency. It is put on the table in a common bowl, and then laid out with a ladle or a large spoon in a portion dish. But you can immediately pour into small bowls, give each person individually. It’s a very nourishing dish, so it’s important to make small portions.
By the way, according to the ancient tradition, the children were spread on the Christmas eve in the evening on Christmas eve to relatives, the godparents were in priority. They, in turn, gave the children sweets, money and other hotels.
Value of ingredients
- Wheat or other cereals. This ingredient means rebirth and the grace of God. The appearance of something new, the resurrection.
- Honey, dried fruits. These ingredients symbolize the sweet life with the blessings of God.
- Nuts. Like the grain, they symbolize the future resurrection, rebirth, power and grace.
- Mac. In Sochije, unlike Kutia, it is always present. This ingredient symbolizes wealth, wealth in the family.
Assembly and Storage of the Oak
Really done with honey and soaked poppy seeds, uzvarom, these ingredients can ferment. Therefore, it is not recommended to store the dish for more than 12-16 hours.
He is not prepared in advance, is made directly on Christmas Eve.
Very often, boil grits, make dressings and fry nuts in advance, but mix everything just before serving. Convenient option, having its own nuances. Uzvar, nuts and cereals should cool down, honey can not be heated. Also, do not take a lot of wheat. Juiced - a generous and rich dish that does not save.
Ingredient Preparation
- Groats. Traditionally this is wheat. But also it is cooked with bulgur, rice, there are old recipes with peas. Wheat need to sort, wash, soak a little and cook. If other cereals are used, they are prepared in the classic way.
- Nuts. It is best to use a mix of wood and walnut. But also almonds, a peanut, sunflower seeds suit. If necessary, the nut is peeled. Then it is fried or dried well.
- Honey. It is advisable to use natural liquid honey, but for Christmas the product usually crystallizes. You can slightly warm it.
- Mac. Mandatory ingredient, which is prepared in a special way. He distinguishes sochivo from kutya. For grinding poppy need a mortar, you can use a blender.
- Dried fruits, candied peel, zest, ginger. They are often present in the glass, but are not required ingredients. Used for taste, color and brightness, enrich the dish.
Features of the preparation of a usvar
Another component that is necessary for making a sock is Uzwar. Saturated compote of dried fruits is used for cultivation of a dish of cereals and other ingredients, it is he who gives a watery texture. The more ingredients in the drink, the tastier it will turn out. The cooking time is not limited by anything, but it is better to let the drink boil a little, then roll it into a blanket, leave it for 8-10 hours.
What to use for a custom:
- pears and apples;
- prunes;
- raisins;
- dried cherries;
- dried apricots.
For aroma, zest, cloves, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon are introduced into the drink. You can take any other ingredients to your liking, change the composition of the uzvara. Sometimes pieces of boiled fruit are added to the sauce, but it is better not to do this, they will turn the dish into a mash. Sugar also should not be injected, honey is diluted with decoction when refueling Christmas treats.
Old Christmas Sochi Recipe
Here is the traditional way to make Christmas wheat dishes. It can be bought in the department with cereals or in the shops of healthy food. Ordinary wheat intended for feeding animals will be suitable, but we carefully sort out the grains, remove the spoiled specimens, wash them.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. wheat;
- 60 g poppy;
- 1 handful of hazelnuts;
- 1 handful of walnuts;
- a handful of raisins;
- 2 spoons of candied fruit (optional);
- 3-4 tablespoons of honey (with a hill);
- uzvar.
Preparation Method
- Soak wheat and boil until cooked. We have to get whole, but soft inside the grain. To do this, we regularly check readiness, do not let actively gurgle. After cooking, immediately drain all the water. We cover the bowl with wheat so that the grains do not dry out, leave to cool.
- Dry and chop the nuts. We do not grind, namely, we cut or slightly crush. It should make pieces the size of a buckwheat kernel.
- Add a little uzvar to the honey, dissolve it.
- We wash the poppy, fill it with water and set to boil. Boil on low heat for about half an hour. Then we merge in a sieve. We shift in the mortar and mnem before the appearance of milk. As soon as the mass becomes light, ready. You can just grind poppy blender.
- Pour the washed raisins with a warm uzvar, let stand and swell.
- Combine wheat with mashed poppy seeds, nuts, add honey, add raisins. Stir. If the juice turns out to be steep, then pour in some more fruit decoction. If desired, decorate with candied fruit, you can sprinkle whole nuts.
If honey cannot be used, then it can be replaced with concentrated sugar syrup. It is made from a glass of sand and 0.5 glass of an ox, boil 2-4 minutes after boiling. Lemon juice is allowed.
