Every Christmas morning, my sisters and I tumble downstairs, pause
to survey the adorned Douglas Fir and its outlying territory, then
continue to the kitchen. It’s a family tradition that before
fingertips ever meet wrapping paper, we sit down to a big breakfast of
bagels and lox and scrambled eggs with onions. In my less ripe years,
I considered this practice illogical frivolous excruciating;
however—predictably—as the son of God’s1 birthdays have accrued, I’ve discovered pleasure in the affair. The frequency of fully populated
family breakfasts has shrunk since two of three children have moved out
from under our parents’ roof and I think we all appreciate that this
Christmas meal not only guarantees full family attendance but also
promises that each party is going to be upbeat, which I’m not sure how
other families work, but let’s admit that the wear of most days isn’t
conducive to an atmosphere where all the faces at a table are
invariably smiling.
Christmas
Christmas
Give the Gift of Peanut Butter Fudge
Still looking for the perfect Christmas gift that is easy, inexpensive, and loved by all?
Your problem is solved: give the gift of fudge! That's right. Mix up a few batches, pop them in some festive foil baking cups, and nestle them in decorative tissue paper and tins. Then kick back with a hot chocolate and enjoy your favorite Christmas movies while everybody else kills themselves looking for a parking space at the mall.
No baking is required. None. Zip. It can be made ahead and refrigerated, so it saves you time. Plus, each batch costs only a few dollars and can be made in less than 10 minutes.
Make Your Holiday Gifts Homemade
From the L.A. Times
Considering everybody on your holiday gift list – friends, family,
co-workers, neighbors, your kids' teachers – you might be needing a
stimulus package before you even get to the big-ticket items this year.
So why not take a page from your grandmother's playbook and make the
smaller gifts yourself?
Not only are homemade gifts less expensive, they also capture the
spirit of holiday giving in a way that purchased gifts simply can't.
And if you consider the ubiquitous traffic and holiday crowds, a
leisurely morning spent baking breadsticks or whipping up a batch of
homemade marshmallows seems positively Zen-like by comparison.
Christmas Eve Dinner in Maine
We have the same meal every Christmas Eve, because it is just perfect! Not too difficult, things can be made in advance, and it is oh so good! Off to the Maine coast we go to get Glidden Point oysters right from the grower, pick up our lobsters that we have pre ordered and then a quick stop at the grocery store...and we start to cook.
The menu:
Leek saffron broiled oysters
Baked stuffed lobsters with crab meat
Caesar Salad (you are on your own)
Chocolate molten cake
and lots of Champagne(on your own again)
My Mother's Grape Leaves
My Mother Vina circa 1957
Instead of turkey, mashed potatoes, etc., stuffed grape leaves (along with shish-kabob and pilaf) is the traditional centerpiece of our Christmas dinner.
Disclaimer: Every script I’ve ever written is overly descriptive and too long, so no doubt this recipe will be, too. Apologies in advance.
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