Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Stars)
Germany

• Ingredients:
• 2 1/2 - 3 cups ground un-blanched almonds
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 4 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 4 egg whites
• Dash of salt
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Directions:
Combine 2 cups of the ground almonds with cinnamon in mixing bowl, set aside. In a separate bowl, use a mixer to beat egg whites and salt until frothy. Gradually add powdered sugar while beating; beat mixture 5 more minutes. Set aside 1 cup of the egg white mixture for glaze and cover with damp cloth. Blend remaining egg white batter into almond mixture; add lemon juice and lemon zest. Knead dough by hand and let dough rest at least 10 minutes. Dust a pastry board with powdered sugar. Gently press dough onto pastry board with your fingers until 1/3-inch thick. (Dough will be sticky, add more ground almonds as needed.) Carefully cut the dough with a 3" star shaped cookie cutter and place on baking sheet. Brush each star with egg white glaze.

Bratäpfel (Baked Apples)
Germany

• Ingredients:
• 4 tart green apples (Granny Smith)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 tablespoons butter

Directions:
Hollow out the apples by removing the core, making a well, but not removing the bottom. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl to create the filling. (Also try other ingredients for the filling like marzipan!) Place the apples in a shallow baking pan. Stuff the apples with the filling. Bake apples at 350° F for 30-40 minutes, until apples are tender. Serve hot with vanilla ice cream!

Lebkuchen (Gingerbread Cookies)
Germany

• Ingredients:
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup dark molasses
• 1/2 cup dark honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds


• Lemon Glaze:
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon
• Dash of salt
• 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar

Directions:
Beat egg in medium bowl. Add brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in molasses, honey, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat thoroughly; set aside. In a separate bowl, stir in flour, baking soda, and spices. Blend flour mixture in to honey mixture. Stir in almonds. Refrigerate over night. Pre-heat oven to 350°. Divide dough in half. Roll each half on a lightly floured pastry board until 1/3-inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut into shapes. Bake on greased cookie sheet 10 – 12 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before removing to rack. Prepare Lemon glaze while cookies are baking. Combine egg white, lemon juice, and salt in small bowl. Stir in powdered sugar, mix well. Brush glaze on cookies while they're still warm. Batter can also be used to make Gingerbread houses!

Christmas Eve Pasta
Italy

• Ingredients:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can of anchovies
• 1 large cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 1-pound cans Italian tomatoes in puree
• 1/2 cup pine nuts

Directions:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil, adding the oil from the anchovies. Chop anchovies into small slices and add to oil. Cook 5 minutes on medium, until they start to melt. Add chopped garlic and cook three more minutes. Pour the 2 cans of tomatoes into a large bowl and break them into pieces with a spoon. Add tomatoes to the oil and cook about 10 minutes. Stir as needed. In a small skillet, roast pine nuts until brown. Add pine nuts and raisins and cook 20 minutes. Add olives (pitted and sliced), cook 5 minutes longer. Prepare pasta in 4 quarts of salted boiling water until al dente (about 7 minutes). Drain pasta, set aside. Pour 1/3 of sauce into a large serving dish and slowly add pasta to the sauce. Use large fork to integrate sauce into pasta, keep turning until covered with sauce. Serves 4-6.

Biscotti (Dunking Cookie)
Italy

• Ingredients:
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons anise seed
• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped almonds or walnuts

Directions:
Beat eggs until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually add sugar and beat. Add vegetable oil. Lightly crush anise seed with mortar and pestle. Add to egg mixture. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to egg mixture. Beat until smooth. Add almonds or walnuts. Turn out onto lightly floured board and shape into flat loaves about 1/4-inch thick and 2 1/2 inches wide, the length of the baking sheet. Place on greased baking sheets, bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; cool 2 minutes and slice into 3/4-inch pieces. Lay pieces cut sides down on baking sheets. Bake again at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or just until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Makes 4 dozen.