Golden Traditions

In my final installment on holiday customs, it is appropriate that on Christmas Eve I touch on golden traditions.  These are the things that you can't remember NOT doing, because the tradition has been around as long as you have-though maybe you didn't always grasp its importance- and you'll be sure to see it continue through your children's children.

For me, it's about a bowl of beef stew on Christmas Eve.  When I was a kid, Christmas Eve was just about better than the morning to follow.  Around 4 o'clock in the afternoon, we'd head over to Grandpa and Grandma's house, and slowly (and loudly) the rest of the family would trickle in.  You see, at the height of those crazy wonderful years, there were twelve grandchildren in that house!  Enough to set any hostess on edge, but my grandma took it in stride.  Enjoyed it, even.  She and my grandpa made us all feel special and welcome, despite our volume.

When everyone was finally gathered and before the mad dash to open presents, we'd dish up our annual Christmas Eve fare, a big ol' bowl of stew with dumplings on top.  And just for a minute, there would be peace.  And warm hearts.  And full bellies.

In 2014, my grandma Sanna will have been gone 15 years.  Yet, the tradition of the beef stew continues.  I'm confident my family in Kentucky will be making it when they gather together tonight.  And my sister in Minneapolis.  And right here in Virginia, I'll brown the beef and add the broth and pop it in the oven on low heat until it's melt-in-your-mouth ready, and then we'll eat.  And our hearts will be warm.  And our bellies will be full.  And we'll continue that golden tradition, now long-held, that makes us feel a little closer to the ones we love, and to Christmas.

Sanna's Beef Stew

1 lb. beef stew meat

1 cup bisquick

1 tsp paprika

2 cans stewed tomatoes

2 cans beef broth

potatoes, onions, celery, carrots

Cut 1 lb. beef stew meat into smaller pieces.  Mix 1 cup Bisquick with 1 tsp. paprika.  Dredge stew meat in dry mix.  Fry in butter until brown on both sides.  Place in roasting pan and pour 1 can on stewed tomatoes and 1 can of beef broth over meat.  Bake at 325 degrees for one hour.  Meanwhile, cook potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion separately in water until tender.  Take meat and juices from oven and put in large kettle.  Add drained vegetables.  Add another can of stewed tomatoes and beef broth.  Simmer on low.

For dumplings, follow recipe on Bisquick box, but use part sour cream for the milk.  Cook dumplings in chicken broth in a separate pan until ready to serve.