December 23, 2023 Issue, Page 10 of 24

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Step back in time with Christmas goose ‘The holiday season is a sentimental 3 cups chicken stock time of year. Nostalgia for past holi- 3/4 cup melted butter day seasons and excitement about 1/4 cup heavy cream what's to come make this a particu- larly special time of year for millionsCumberland Sauce: of people across the globe. 11/2 cups beef stock It's not uncommon for Christmas 3/4 cup port wine celebrants to include a little history 3/4 cup red wine vinegar ‘Twas the Night before Christmas in their decorations and celebrations each year. Some families may read 3 shallots, peeled and chopped 1 tablespoon crushed black pep- Charles Dickens' early Victorian no- percorns vella A Christmas Carol together be- By Sheryl Ponce fore watching one of the many film 3 oranges, juiced adaptations of the beloved story. 1. Place goose in a large pot. Add Many popular Christmas carols also water to cover and stir in the sea salt. Memories are created I was up, watching the landscape as we date back to the nineteenth century Refrigerate overnight. with those we love and traveled through New Mexico and onto if not earlier, adding another degree 2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees E. the experiences we have Colorado. I remember that the snow of nostalgia to the season. Even food 3. Remove goose from water and can add a touch of the sentimen- drain well. Remove all innards and with them. As I look back glistened against the moonlit night, tal to Christmas celebrations. This trim excess fat from the tail. Rub in- on my favorite Christmas memory, it looking blue across the fields. There year, holiday hosts can create some side cavity with lemon juice. Place ap- nostalgia around the Christmas din- ple, potato, orange and celery inside was one of many times we traveled to were distant homes with Christmas ner table by serving this recipe for the body cavity. Truss the bird like a Colorado to spend Christmas with my lights shining bright, and smoke com- "Roasted Christmas Goose" courtesy turkey. grandparents. They lived just outside of ing out of the chimneys. It was like a of the Food Network and Mark Slaw- 4. Place the goose in the preheated son of the The Wort Hotel in Jackson, 450 degree F oven. Reduce oven tem- Colorado Springs on a place called Red picture from one of the many Christmas Wyoming. perature to 350 degrees F. Cook 20 Rock Ranch. It was the perfect place for stories that are told throughout the to 25 minutes per pound. Baste the Roasted Christmas Goose goose every half hour with the Bast- a holiday. holidays. Yields 6 to 8 servings ing Syrup. I think I was in junior high, living in Am- As we entered Red Rock Ranch and took 114- to 16-pound goose 5. Carve goose and serve with arillo. My family included my parents the winding road up to my grandpar- 1/4 cup sea salt Stuffing and Cumberland sauce. 1 lemon, halved Irl and Larry Cheatham and one older ents (Paul and Marceta Carver), or as we apple, cut into chunks Basting Syrup: sister, Randie, and a younger brother, called them Grandad and Gigi, the night 1 potato, cut into chunks 6. Mix all ingredients together in a 1 orange, sliced small bowl. Scott. We left town late in the day, and seemed magical. Again the light from 1 cup chopped celery the three of us were bundled in the back the moon and the stars shown bright as Basting Syrup (recipe follows) Stuffing: seat, I think with were in a green Plym- we went across the small creek. I could Stuffing (recipe follows) 7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cumberland Sauce (recipe follows) 8. Coarsely chop the chestnuts and outh station wagon, with presents and see the horses across a meadow, and the Basting Syrup put in a large bowl. Add the stuffing luggage in the back. There may have excitement grew that we were almost 1/3 cup corn syrup mix, raisins, celery, apple, onion and 1/3 cup cane syrup salt and pepper. Toss to combine. been a space left for the brother to lay there. 1/3 cup melted butter Pour in the chicken stock, butter and down and nap amongst the pile of pack- We pulled into the gravel drive and 1/4 cup light brown sugar cream and mix until evenly moist- ages. jumped out to greet out beloved grand- 2 tablespoons brandy ened, 9. Transfer to a baking dish and The three of us never lasted long sitting parents with open arms. The fireplace Stuffing bake until the top is browned and on the same seat. My sister and I usually warmed the room, and the Christmas 3 cups whole chestnuts, roasted crisp, about 1 hour. had the imaginary line drawn down the tree was overgrown with packages. My and peeled 114-ounce bag stuffing mix Cumberland Sauce: seat, while my brother jumped from the great grandmother’s rocking chair sat 1 cup raisins 10. In a saucepan, combine the front seat to the back. This Christmas, waiting for me next to the fireplace, 1/2 cup chopped celery stock, port, vinegar, shallots, pep- 1/4 cup diced apple percorns and orange juice. Bring to a he was nestled behind us, while Randie which was my favorite to be. I did not 1/4 cup diced onion boil, cook until reduced by 2/3, about had her pillow against the window tak- have time to rock in the chair or visit 3/4 teaspoon salt 25 minutes. Strain and refrigerate. 1/8 teaspoon pepper Serve cold over roast goose. ing a nap. before we were quickly sent to bed.