THE 7 COURSE ITALIAN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 2014

I love that my daughter-in-laws have taken over some of the holiday planning, especially around food. I have been raised with many holiday food habits from my grandparents and parents. I love it when these traditions are put aside for new ideas about food, festivities, and what being a family can mean. I especially like that I am still part of all of these plans. This Christmas the plan included creating a seven course Italian meal designed to operate in stages throughout the day to keep us nourished and energized.

I started early on with two kinds of biscotti for our morning latte’s, both a pistachio and an almond. My dear friend contributed a Pantone, which we toasted for the morning breakfast along with latte’s and yogurt with fruit.  Kelly, our chef in residence, started braising the leg of lamp and prepared the stock for it’s five-hour stewing. Once the leg was sealed, the carrots were roasted in the lamb juices to increase their flavoring for the gingered carrot soup course later at lunch. 

We moved on to some gift opening again with a new tradition. Each family shared its gifts to the other family members at once. The family-to-family sharing was wonderful.  Everyone put up with Cece’s tradition of several “simultaneous openings” which included books for all three grandchildren, towels for all four parents, specialty oils for the couples, etc.

Hunger set in with Margaritte’s getting out the antipasto course with prosciutto, olives, cheeses, crackers, and grapes.  The grandkids were ready and this was perfect. Kelly moved on working on her soup while Cece started the risotto for the lunch course. Kids played with their new toys while the table was set for the lunch course. Soup and risotto were quickly eaten before the energy waned and kids started crashing for a nap.

Fortified by food, the last gifts were unpacked in the living room. A fire station and stuffed chair were assembled while a sled and pickling crack were opened. The light and space of the room also provided energy for all! Naps followed for the kids while the adults started to pick up the papers and sort presents and pieces.

The coup de grace was dinner, shredded lamb, roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, green salad, and Italian pesto bread. While playing a game a few hours later, we remembered we also had cannoli’s waiting for dessert.  A perfect end to a daylong celebration! I can’t wait to find out what the team suggests next time we all get together!