Our Christmas Feasts

In times gone by when the whole of the family was together for Christmas Eve, Rick would prepare a roast and traditional dinner similar to one he enjoyed at his grandparents' as a child. But in recent years, we've been on our own for Christmas Eve so it was time for a new tradition! We would make something new. This could be risky business but also, very fun! Last year it was a Quebecois Tourtierre. This year it was the Feast of Seven Fishes Pie.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas tradition and is a grand meal with seven different seafood dishes. The tradition is from Southern Italy and the meal might include seven or more fishes, including anchovies, lobster, sardines, shrimp, mussels, and more. 

Our recipe came from the New York Times and they take some shortcuts (clam juice, vs. clams, for example!) It also included anchovies, shrimp, scallops and haddock. We should have had a second fish and skipped the caviar, so I suppose we should call it "Five Fishes Pie!"

It's surprisingly easy to make -- just saute the leeks, make a roux with the flour and clam juice and add the fish.

Then top with pastry and trim. I'd heartily recommend it!

While it was cooking, we enjoyed some of Rick's baguettes and cheese with a lovely Chablis that also paired well with the fish.

I loved the lights twinkling in the glasses!

Supper time!

 Christmas Day brought presents in the morning...

  And then it was time to get home and start getting the table set and dinner ready!

We had a long Zoom call with Rick's family. 

My table setting this year was super easy -- a bowl full of beads and balls on a tray with a mound of fiberfill "snow."

Then, the Spode china that was my mom's and some of my silver bells collection.

With Christmas Crackers and mom's silver, we were good to go!

 

While dinner was cooking, Rick checked out the Christmas cards that arrived.

Our dinner of the day -- Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon...

 

And a Christmas Wreath salad. These are all over the internet and I would love to credit one of my blog regulars whose post gave me the idea and I can't remember who! So, please identify yourself so I can link up! (Note! It was Jan from Low Carb Diabetic right here!)

And cookies for dessert. I felt like many friends were at the table with dessert! My cousin, Bonnie, whose powdered "Jingle Balls" are a must; Marie of The English Kitchen, whose recipes for Ginger bars with Lemon Frosting and Lemon Ginger biscotti are fabulous; Sandra of "Maison de Jardin" whose Gingerbread Madeleines were a hit, and finally my book club friend, Lynne, with four-star Fudge Bars.

 

After dinner, we just hung out, watched the "Call the Midwife" and "Downton Abbey" specials on PBS, and just enjoyed the quiet of the season.

And you can't beat that!

Cheers!

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