We have officially moved! Click to see where we are now!

We have officially moved! Click to see where we are now!
We have officially moved! Click to see where we are now!
Celebrating is about sharing, telling stories, talking. It's about eating a piece of cake that a friend made for you, having a glass of wine or savoring a cup of coffee. It's that unknown sensation that doesn't let you get up from the table after eating. It's much more than just placing silverware and plates on a table, it's creating an ambience, a style, a sensation, an unforgettable memory.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Merry Christmas


After being away from my blog for two months, I come back again. Even this post, it's about Xmas. For three months, I've been having some problems in my neck due my cervical spine, so I've been wearing a soft collar, going to therapy, doctors etc... and I stopped using my computer as much as I could. Overall, I haven't been very energetic. 

But Christmas came along and all my kids came home. And, making an effort with the help of my dear ones, enthusiastic enough with a lot of love, I made my Christmas dinner. Which I am going to share with you.


I wanted to create a magic Xmas dinner. One where we would be sitting at the table eating unexpected flavors, having fun, being happy and surrounded by loved ones...



Three days before Christmas I couldn't sleep, so between dreams and wakefulness, I started dreaming about the textures and flavors I wanted to incorporated in the menu. 

And that is how everything started.

We opened dinner with a soup of leek, pear, tarragon, and a little bit of cognac. We called it: Velouté de poireaux et poire.


The salmon. I made it with a crust of almonds, pecans, sesame seeds, cranberries and orange peel. Seasoned with ginger and soy sauce. Saumon en croûte de semences.


My fabulous helper was Andy, my older son's girlfriend. She's already part of the family. My blondie daughter-in-law spent the whole day making all the apple delicatessen: apple cake, apple tart, and a special apple tart with amaranth and coconut flour for a special gluten-free guest.
  

Molecular honey caviar made for the appetizer. We had it over brie cheese brochettes. Another plate was sashimi with sake granita, this recipe I saw in Donna Hay. I added a seaweed topping that looks like caviar.


These are inspired by the Venezuelan Hallacas that are famous during Chistmas. I didn't have the time or the energy to make the Hallacas I usually make. 

So that night between dreams and wakefulness, these Hallacas dumplings came along. They are kosher and organic. We called them: Boulettes de Noël Vénézuéliens. We loved them for their size: they were a perfect food sample.


For fun, I incorporated two blind tastings into the menu (totally unexpected). One was a tequila lime jelly shot covered with crystals of lemon peel and sugar. And the other one was Mochi, the Japanese rice cake ice cream filled with lychee. 

We laughed so much just at the idea of a blind tasting. I think this is something I will do more often. The perfect way to break the ice or just to immediately change the mood.  


The dessert table was my Christmas wonderland decorated with small and tiny Xmas trees. We had the apple tart, a berry tart, and the famous Buche de Noël.


Some family moments...


The Christmas menu in French that Laura made. Big enough with 14 dishes to please and pamper everyone. Vegan, vegetarian, meat lover, pescetarian, kosher and gluten free.


The kings and queens getting ready for the family picture...


Santa came along and brought the total chaos of opening Christmas presents....

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!!  Remember, the best is yet to come.
Live with passion + dream big + eat slow + cook with love.  And then the magic comes along...
Thank you so much for being here.

xoxo
Lola


16 comments:

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, WOW!!! What a stunning table! An outstanding menu!!! A gorgeous family...and a fun, fun holiday!!! Happy, happy New Year, Lola...so good to see you back. Hope your neck woes are over.... xoxo

Unknown said...

Whoa...that was seriously impressive. Honey caviar is now on my list of things I must make. Blind tastings...such a fun idea. I felt merry just reading about your feast. Hope your aches vanish quickly and never return. Happy New Year, Lola!

chicago foodie girl said...

Wow, that is one gorgeous table! I'm glad to hear you had such a lovely holiday - I hope you're feeling better soon!

Debra Eliotseats said...

Your table is beautiful. Your family is beautiful. Your food is beautiful! Truly. Hope things are better for you now. Have a Happy 2013!

Veronica Cervera said...

Lola, I'm so happy to have you back.
Espero estés bien. En estos días tengo dolor de espalda y ya no sé cómo sentarme en la compu.
Tremendo menú. Delicioso todo. Me moriría por probarlo. Y lo de los ojos vendados me ha encantado.
Muchos cariños y felicidades.
Vero

Banana Wonder said...

What a sensational dinner! Everything is so beautiful and I love what you did to the salmon. Happy New Year lola!

Recetario Spanglish para mis hijos said...

Lola, es una mesa divina, te felicito. Feliz año!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

What a pretty and festive table! I love the decorations.

Vest wishes for 2013!

Cheers,

Rosa

Sandra said...

Oh My goodness....I wouldn't be able to sleep too with all the ideas that you had in your head. Looks like a wonderful Xmas dinner and perfect mood for the evening. I love the blind fold idea too:)
I wish you Belated Merry Christmas and Wonderful New 2013! Cheers!

Jackie Rueda said...

No quiero saber que es lo que preparas cuando no te duele nada y te sientes bien!
La idea de los dumplings de hallaca es tan genial que quizas la implemente el proximo año, gracias!

Rosita Vargas said...

Linda celebración buen año para ti junto a tu familia,abrazos hugs,hugs.

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Whoa! Gorgeous table and dishes! I love the blind tasting - never thought of that for a get together. Happy 2013, Lola!

lisa is cooking said...

What a fun and fabulous meal! I love the idea of a blind tasting. I have to try that at a party. Happy New Year to you!

Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen said...

What a lovely record of the preparations and what a stunning table! How great to have an army of willing helpers too. My favourite picture, though is that last one, the wonderful chaos after the presents have been opened. Brings back great memories of my own Christmases past.

Simply Life said...

looks like such a fun celebration! hope you are feeling better!

Unknown said...

Lola, I hope that your neck is feeling a million times better - fully recovered! What gorgeous pictures you share with us of your dinner + your family. Merry Christmas + Happy New Year 2013 to you and your loved ones xo