As with any good meal, the company counts most. Bad food can't ruin good company, but bad company can sure ruin a good meal. I have been lucky in that my family has always been good company at holiday times.
My fondest memories of holiday repasts were at my grandparents' home in Connecticut. There was a fire in the fireplace. Gramps always made a big batch of VO Manhattans. We kids got the cherries from the adults' glasses, and maybe a sip too. Granny was a great cook. I remember the menu always being the same. Turkey, sausage stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, creamed turnips, Brussels sprouts, pumpkin pie, either a mincemeat or a lemon meringue pie, and lots of good sauternes wine. Good food. Good company.
Most of that company has passed on. Those that are left have developed newer family ties, but, wherever we are, the company is still good and we're still logging fond memories.
This Christmas, we are having ...
~ Pisco sours
~ Shrimp ceviche
~ Pureed broccoli soup w/garlic chips
~ Glazed ham w/Bourbon-apple-raisin sauce
~ Turkey w/plum sauce
~ Spicy cranberry-orange relish
~ Potato-fennel-gruyere gratin
~ Oven roasted vegetables (carrots, parsnips, turnips, etc.)
~ Sparkling Malbec Rosé wine
~ Brownies w/Manjar-Almond ice-cream
... and good company.
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