First off, I need to apologize for my lack of posting! I’m truly sorry. To say that this month has been filled with Christmas Spirit is an understatement. I'm going to give you a quick run down about what I’ve been doing, cooking & baking all month then head back into the kitchen to continue prepping our Christmas Feast!
COOKIES, COOKIES, and MORE COOKIES! I took it upon myself to spread the Christmas Cheer this year by making DIY Sugar & Gingerbread cut out Cookie Kits, including homemade cookies, icing, and toppings. I've sold to over 50+ local families and delivered (no contact) to each of their doorsteps. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. It filled my days in the kitchen doing what I love, blasting Johnny Mathis and Bing Crosby whilst baking. But the best part was receiving feedback from families about how it brought them together (old and young) around the table to decorate, chat and just enjoy this season- it was heartwarming.
Now, with only a few more Cookie Kits to get out tomorrow, I'm starting all of our Christmas prep for Eve and Day. On the Menu:
Christmas Eve:
Shrimp Cocktail (Roasted & then Chilled) with Spicy Cocktail Sauce
Grilled Scallops Wrapped in Prosciutto with Mustard - This recipe is in my blog already!
Crab Cakes topped with Thinly Sliced Filet Mignon & Horseradish Mustard Remoulade
Lobster Poached in Butter & Tarragon
Tinned Fish; Italian Tuna & Spicy Calamari served with Baguette
It has always been an Italian Tradition in my family growing up that we ate Seafood on Christmas Eve. The Feast of the Seven Fishes. Over the years I have honored that tradition in our own home in a nonconventional way. We eat Seafood, but maybe not seven fishes every year...and I enjoy trying new recipes each Christmas Eve to see if we have found a new Holiday Staple. This year we are preparing Poached Lobster, a rendition of Eric Ripert's recipe (with a few changes) for the first time, I'll let you know how it comes out!
Christmas Day:
Fresh Squeezed Blood Orange Mimosas
Cream Cheese Danishes
Deviled Eggs with Bacon and Green Onions
Fresh Strawberries
Christmas Lasagna- Freshly made Pasta Sheets layered with Bolognese and Parmesan Béchamel
Ragu of Oxtail, Pork Country Ribs, Meatballs & Italian Sausage
Mixed Greens with Simple Olive Oil and Vinegar
The Christmas Day Meal is mostly prepared ahead of time and this way all we have to do is reheat, eat and EAT! I have done Standing Roasts on the Day of, Christmas Turkeys with all the trimmings, but all of those meals are time consuming and as much as I wholeheartedly love being in the kitchen- I relish in the lazy day of playing new games with my family from Santa and watching A Christmas Story on loop.
I want to thank you all for your continued support and from my family to yours- We wish everyone a Safe & Happy Holiday! I will definitely be posting more recipes and pictures soon. Please comment below with what YOU ARE COOKING AND BAKING!! And post on social media using hashtag #saltsandseasons let me know your Holiday Staples and Traditions!
-Alexandra
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