No matter what holiday you celebrate, winter classics such as eggnog, stuffing, and sugar cookies frequent our tables in the U.S. But this year, we could all use a little more cheer, so break out the aprons and have some fun spicing up your traditional holiday menu with unique, eclectic recipes from all over the globe!

Here are 10 Holiday Recipes from Around the World:

1. Israel

Latkes, or potato pancakes fried in oil, are a delicious and important part of Hanukkah tradition. This delicacy serves as a symbol to recognize that the Second Temple kept the Menorah burning with oil for eight days.

Classic Potato Latkes Recipe

2. Italy

One of the most common Italian Christmas staples is the panettone, a formed bread made with candied fruit, chocolate, raisins, and nuts. This fun dessert originates from Northern Italy, in Milan.

Panettone Recipe

3. Costa Rica

Tamales are a Costa Rican holiday tradition. Although every family has their own “secret” recipe or variation, they’re generally stuffed with pork, beef, or chicken and wrapped in either a corn husk or banana leaf.

Authentic Costa Rican Tamale Recipe

4. England

In England, it’s not the holidays without figgy pudding, also known as plum pudding, Christmas pudding, and “pud.” Traditionally, this dish is lit on fire using brandy right before it’s served. A tasty and entertaining dessert for your guests!

Warm Sticky Figgy Pudding Recipe

5. Africa

Jollof rice is a common West African-inspired dish that’s popular for Kwanzaa. Similar to a Spanish paella or Louisiana jambalaya, this rice dish is packed with spice and flavor and commonly served alongside black-eyed peas. 

Jollof Rice Recipe

6. France

La bûche de Noël is a festive French cake that represents the Yule log. Back in the day, people would go out and find a piece of wood—a Yule log—that they would take home, sprinkle with wine, and burn on Christmas Eve. This sponge cake made with chocolate buttercream tastes as amazing as it looks!

La Bûche de Noël Recipe 

7. Germany

Weihnachtsgan, or roast goose, is a popular item at the center of a classic German holiday meal. This dish dates back to the Middle Ages, and the goose is often stuffed with apples, chestnuts, prunes, and more.

German Weihnachtsgan Recipe

8. Mexico

Mexican hot chocolate is the perfect mixture of comfort and kick for those cold winter days. Made with 100% cocoa powder, cinnamon, chili, and topped with marshmallows, it’s like a hug in a mug!

Kickin’ Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe

9. Vietnam

Banh chung is a much-loved sticky rice cake enjoyed during Tết, the Vietnamese New Year. Made out of sticky rice, pork, mung beans, and a variety of sauces and spices, it’s as yummy as it is presentable! In addition to the great taste, it’s traditionally placed in front of family altars in respect to ancestors and hope for the upcoming year.

Banh Chung Recipe

10. Greece

Melomakaronasare delicious orange-zest cookies that are soaked in honey after baking and topped with walnuts. Melomakarona resembles baklava in taste and is a common treat during the holidays in Greece.

Melomakarona Recipe

Kitchen Safety

Before channeling your inner chef this holiday season, it’s important to brush up on kitchen safety and first aid.

The most common kitchen injuries are burns and cuts—here’s how to treat them:

Burns

• Most minor burns can be treated at home, but the key is to act fast. Running the injury under cool water, applying lotion, and bandaging it are all appropriate home remedies to soothe the burn.
• If it’s too severe to take care of at home, visit our facility for professional assessment and dressing.
• To avoid burns, lift lids away from you so the scalding condensation doesn’t drip onto your skin—this goes for stirring too. And make sure pot and pan handles are facing inward, so they don’t get bumped.

Cuts

• Apply pressure to the area as soon as you realize you’re cut. There are many things you can do for scrapes and non-severe cuts at home. Take proper measures by washing the area with soap and water, cleaning with hydrogen peroxide, applying antibiotic ointment, and bandaging the cut.
• Seek professional medical care within six hours if the bleeding does not stop, as you may need stitches. Additionally, get help if you notice redness, swelling, increased pain, fever, or pus in the following days.
• It’s said that a dull knife is actually more likely to slip and cut you than a sharp knife. A few ways to avoid cuts are to keep your blades sharpened, out of reach from children, and carefully handled. Additionally, make sure you’re choosing the right knife for the job. Click here for a guide on kitchen knife types and when to use them.

For all medical emergencies, skip the wait and visit NW Indiana ER & Hospital for immediate help. Our highly trained staff takes pride in providing our community with the most effective and efficient emergency treatment in a comfortable environment. We’re here to assist you 24/7—including holidays!

From our family at NW Indiana ER & Hospital to yours, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!