[ DINING ] Fabulous Holiday Dining
SEASONAL DELIGHTS ELEVATED WITH UNIQUE RECIPES
BY LANA SILLS
We ’ re getting our groove back and celebrating a December to remember .
The first New Year ’ s celebration dates back 4,000 years . Julius Caesar , the emperor of Rome , was the first to declare January 1st a national holiday . He named the month after Janus , the Roman god of doors and gates . Janus had two faces , one looking forward and one looking back . Caesar felt that a month named after this god would be fitting .
Many people ring in New Year ’ s Eve by popping open a bottle of champagne . The bubbly stuff dates back to the 17th century when the cork was invented . Remember the last scene in “ When Harry Met Sally ” when Harry references a song after he and Sally kiss ? It was Auld Lang Syne , written by the poet Robert Burns in 1788 . Traditionally it is sung at the midnight hour with a toast to the new year .
The world is full of rich and fascinating traditions . But the traditions specific to New Year ’ s Eve , well , most involve Luck . Start with 12 delicious seedless grapes ; one for each month of the year , savor their flavor and make a wish with each green or purple delight . Cleanliness is akin to godliness , clean something , take a broom and sweep 2022 out the door . You ’ ll be happy and lucky you did !
And , bidding adieu to 2022 can be quite delicious . Say goodbye to fall and the start of the holidays with pumpkin risotto and seared scallops ; oven roasted Pernil , a Puerto Rican pork shoulder traditionally served during the holidays , easy to roast in the oven and suited for a crowd of hungry relatives ; Boeuf Bourguignon , hard to top when it comes to flavor ; French onion soup ; shrimp and grits ; or a hash brown crust bacon and cheddar quiche .
For New Year ’ s Eve , white truffle season is just about ending and expensive because they are available in such limited supply . Did you know that no one has been able to successfully cultivate white truffles , so we only have a short season of wild-foraged ones ? Say goodbye to 2022 with decadent yet accessible indulgences : caviar , truffles , uni , fresh wasabi .
As for cocktails to enjoy while you ’ re up late wrapping presents … a French 75 , a Manhattan , the Old-Fashioned or a zero-proof beverage because sometimes you just want a rich cup of Hot Cocoa ! I use my Nespresso machine to make a quick hot chocolate … combine milk , cinnamon , cocoa and vanilla in your frothing container … easy and delicious .
My New Year ’ s Eve drink of choice is an Icy Vodka Martini made with Grey Goose Vodka stirred for 20 seconds with a dash of olive brine for a silky smooth mouthfeel with perfect clarity . Makes going into ‘ 23 a real pleasure !
Boozy cocktails to sip while you deck the halls and make the season merry and bright … Spiced Mulled Wine , Espresso Martinis , Brown Sugar Irish Coffee , Cranberry Apple Sangria ; a fall Spiced Old Fashioned . They all pair so well with those cookies you ’ ve left out !
When it comes to delicious dishes , I want each ingredient to be the most it possibly can . If I ’ m using tomato paste , I caramelize it . If I ’ m frying bacon , I keep the rendered fat for a salad dressing . My favorite indulgence of the season is to up my pizza game with a topping of Délice de Bourgogne ( a French triple cream cheese ), roasted mixed mushrooms , truffle oil and arugula .
For Hanukkah this year , make my scrumptious Ginger Maple Pear Sauce to serve with crisp Potato Latkes . It is an easy and fast recipe for your Hanukkah gathering with family and friends . My Hanukkah menu this
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