This is the season when my friends sigh and say, “I love this time of year.” This is the season when my friends sigh and say, “I hate this time of year.” If you’re wondering whether I run around with a bunch of schizophrenic people, the answer would be no, or at least probably not, because both statements are absolutely true for every woman I know during the month of December.
I love the decorations, both giving and going to parties, finding that perfect present for someone special, wishing for one magical snow, Christmas carols, Christmas cards, and of course, holiday food. I hate the malls, the rushing around, the lack of time to enjoy Christmas movies, or just hang out with a friend. And then there’s the traffic, don’t get me started. Another thing I love is family traditions – we all have so many that relate to the holidays. I remember my first Thanksgiving with my husband, and telling him about a favorite Thanksgiving tradition from my childhood. My sisters and I always looked forward to getting out the crèche when our dinner was finished and playing with it all night. As I was telling him, he looked at me like I was growing a second head and finally asked, “Why did you play with the trash?” Crèche, trash – that southern accent can trip you up!
My son and husband are very particular about food traditions and one I treasure is having a big spaghetti dinner on the eve of Christmas Eve. (Does that make sense?) It’s our quiet family time before the final big rush. Knowing that day will be busy too, I plan ahead and start a delicious ragu sauce that cooks in the crock pot all day long. It smells heavenly and after the long day I’m so pleased to be able to serve a delicious meal that requires only that I boil water to cook whatever pasta I happen to have on hand. That’s my Christmas gift to myself, a favorite dinner at home with my family, maybe even a holiday movie with a late night bowl of popcorn. Now if it would only snow…
Amy Grant says it beautifully:
I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb lean ground sirloin
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can tomato paste
2 cups broth, beef, chicken, or vegetable
½ cup red wine
1 bay leaf
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 tsp salt, or to taste
½ tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
Directions
Add olive oil to a large Dutch oven and heat over medium high heat.
Add ground beef and cook about 3 minutes or until browned and starting to crumble.
Put beef in the crock pot.
Add Italian sausage to the Dutch oven and cook until browned and starting to crumble, about 5 minutes.
Put sausage in the crock pot.
Add vegetables to the Dutch oven and cook to soften, about 2 minutes.
Add vegetables and all remaining ingredients to the crock pot.
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
(hint: if you have a rind of Parmesan cheese, add it to the crockpot too. I always keep rinds in the freezer for making sauce.)
* Great with any pasta and freezes well!
Waiting by the Crock Pot!
