St. Peter Catholic School has compiled traditional holiday recipes from the school’s staff and students in their first ever Christmas Around the World Cookbook.
Stemming from an annual St. Peter tradition - Christmas Around the World, the cookbook takes the same principles of the event by empowering the school’s staff and students to share cultural foods, favourite recipes and dishes that are near and dear to their families.
Prior to the COVID-19 guidelines being implemented, the event would welcome community members to sample tasting portions from 45 booths set up at the school.
“Community members would come together on the designated evening to enjoy the live Nativity, listen to the school choir and enjoy breaking bread with our St. Peter family members and community to celebrate the birth of Jesus,” explained Courtney Capovilla, organizer of the event in past years.
With safety guidelines in place, it was apparent that the event could not operate as it had in prior years. Instead, following a suggestion from the St. Peter Catholic School Council, the school made the decision to keep the spirit alive by creating the Christmas Around the World Cookbook.
“We were thoroughly impressed with the turnout this year. Our cookbook has recipes with a vast number of dishes that reflect the cultural diversity within our community,” said Bryan McMillan, principal at St. Peter Catholic School. “Everyone understood that Christmas Around the World could not take place in the traditional form this year and many felt the recipe book was a lovely homage to the tradition.”
Containing 53 recipes, the cookbook has a variety of savory and sweet options all originating from the kitchens of students, teachers, and staff.
“It's been most heart-warming to see submissions from our students. It is easy to tell they take pride in both their favorite dish and the culture from which it originates,” said McMillan. “It's a true representation of our community. There is no greater way to build community than to share recipes and, hopefully, gather to share food together again one day soon.”
While McMillan shared that the recipes all look tasty, there are a few that stand out as must haves.
“I'm most excited to try making Lumpiang Sariwa, fresh spring rolls from the Philippines. Last year, these were gone within about 45 minutes of our gathering, so I'll have to make them at home this year,” said McMillan. “I'm also very intrigued to try the meatless Borscht - that will be a first for me.”
The Christmas Around the World Cookbook is available for purchase into next week, proceeds from each cookbook will cover the cost of printing with the remainder will be donated to support our local foodbank.
For more information on initiatives at St. Peter, please visit their website or follow them on Twitter.