This was the best Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa holiday celebration ever. The family–HG/BSK; Lesley and Massimo (HG/BSK’s gifted daughter and her brilliant husband); wondrous granddaughters Sofia (from Italy) and Arianna (from Colorado) made it to L. and M.’s Riverside, RI. home safely despite the dangerous frigid weather, And, Ari bro.ught her special friend, Adam. Exceptional, talented, helpful man. And, thankfully, a fan of good food and drink. Honoring the family tradition, Christmas Eve was the Jewish version of “The Feast of Seven Fishes”. New York’s venerable Russ & Daughters delivered in timely fashiôn a box of caviar (red salmon and tobiko);smoked salmon, sable, whitefish salad, scallion cream cheese; two varieties of herring; bialys and pumpernickel bread. Sl/iced onion, lemon edges and celeriac salad (thanks, Lesley for the salad and the crepes you made). White wine. Beer. Guinness stout. Opened some presents. The gift deluge began Christmas morning—and, believe HG, it was a deluge. Sadly missed was the Tokyo contingent–SJ, Maiko, Haru and Teru. And, HG’s daughter, Vicki and HG son-n-law, Marc Meyer. They were in New York tending to their restaurants. HG/BSK had happy dreams in their beautiful Central Falls, RI. loft and were back to Riverside at a civilized hour to open gifts. Won’t enumerate them but they were thoughtful, original and generous. Lunch/brunch for HG was perfect scrambled eggs (thanks BSK) topped with red salmon caviar and a scoop of sour cream. Heavenly. Afternoon activities preceded the sumptuous Christmas dinner: Lesley’s lush osso buco (veal shanks) swimming in a voluptuous sauce. This dish calls for risotto to soak up the sauce. Massimo is not only an ornament of Italian culture, he can cook (when necessary). His risotto was the best HG ever tasted. In addition, the wines he poured to accompany the osso buco and the subsequent cheese course were grand. (Sofia managed to smuggle cheese and other treats from Padua including the wonder cheese, Robiolla). Chocolates and other sweet things for dessert plus snifters of superlative Madeira, a gift to the family from Adam. There was an abundant amount of Russ & Daughters treats leftover from Christmas Eve so dinner the next night focused on caviar, smoked fish, etc. Culinary wonders didn’t cease. Lesley made a big platter of potato latkes (hey, Hanukkah wasn’t forgotten). Peerless. Lesley’s secret: Putting the chopped potatoes in a cheesecloth and squeezing out every bit of moisture. Makes a difference. She also made fine blini plus crepes. Sour cream and creme fraiche accompanied. Much chilled Prosecco. If HG’s good fortune persists, HG hopes to repeat the holiday with family next year.
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