Happy Doppa i Gryta


Looking forward to seeing everyone on the 24th! Can't wait to sample Janet's cakes, Cindy's potatoes, and Mom's butterscotch pecan bars (just to name a few of the outstanding goodies!)

3 comments:

Beverly Collins said...

I'm looking forward to all the goodies too. Tim will miss Janet's Christmas Tree Cake. See you at Mom's house on the 24th!

December 10, 2008 at 9:27 AM
mrsliljohn said...

Hello,
Yes I have my cup of coffee cause I clicked on you on purpose.
In my Pa's family they tell a story of how the clans come together on this day then toast with Mead (we use mogan david)to all the fallen clansmen.
Story goes back to the early viking clans 1000 years or so ago.
If we have guests, one of us demonstrates how this is done--- don't be shy--- dip in!
If your family does this, I would love to hear how they tell the story and compare to what I've heard every year.
Many Thanks,
Ginger Armentrout

December 23, 2008 at 8:58 AM
Deb R said...

In response to Ginger's comment:

Our story begins in the 1800's with my great, great-grandparents who came over from Sweden bringing the tradition with them of Doppa i Grytta (meaning dip in the kettle). Due to a shortage of food, when the special meal was prepared for Christmas Eve, a combination of pork and beef were cooked together making a very tasty broth. To further stretch a meal of the two meats, the typical Swedish Limpa Rye bread was made and carefully dipped in the broth created by the meat combination. This hearty fare gave strength and sustanance to our ancestors. As the tradition grew within our family, other things were added to this such as macaroni and cheese and some sort of dessert. With additional family members--spouses and more children, other favorite foods were added by those attending. Goodies today range from broccoli corn casserole, cheesy potatoes, ham balls,tossed salad, layered jello salad, pimento salad, pasta salad, strawberry pretzel salad and a variety of desserts including Christmas Tree cake, chocolate sheet cake, date cake, butterscotch pecan bars, sugar cookies, peanutbutter balls, and fudge.

To begin the festivities, we all gather in the kitchen and the eldest member gives a prayer of thanks for family and we toast with homemade grape juice or tomato juice and then fill our plates. When new family members and guests are present, someone usually shows them the ropes of dipping the bread in the kettle so they are not embarrassed by leaving it in too long and having it fall apart in the juices. One year, we had apple cider brewing on the stove and I inadvertantly dipped in the apple cider instead of the meat broth--I thought it tasted pretty good.

After the meal, we used to exchange gifts when the dishes were cleaned. As a child, I remember dishes taking forever before we were summoned to open presents. There is still some gift giving today, but not as much as years ago. Another activity we've added is to play Christmas Trivia and word scramble games which has become a favorite tradition as well.

Our traditional Doppa i Gryta clan has grown from 10 to 40 family members, but usually only about half are able to make it back for the day.

December 27, 2008 at 6:09 PM

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