Over the last few weeks, I have been talking about food memories and reaching out to you to share them with me. Now I would like to reflect one of mine.

I think there really is something “magical” about Christmas time. Whether you celebrate it or not there’s always a special feeling that evokes the week leading up to the big day. Maybe because across the world, it’s one of the most celebrated holidays along with Easter. That everyone is with their favorite people. That businesses are closed and roads are quiet. We all shut down to celebrate commensality.

I come from a HUGE background filled with food memories from family tradition, heritage, education, and work. But each year at this time we create the memories that will keep us going on to the next. We have evolved as a family in our little brick abode. Instead of seating relatives in five locations around the living room and kitchen, we move furniture so everyone comes together at one long table. We feast on crab stuffed sole and shrimp thermidor over jasmine rice, dishes my mom makes every year. Never will we dip our torn bread solely in olive oil unless it’s aromatized by hot Italian peppers. Or miss out on pizelles, brownie torte, and lemon cookies mamma and her sisters make each year like clockwork.

How can I finesse the tablescape without contributing something savory and sweet!? Let them eat sour cream fudge cake while simultaneously melting in bruleed fontina cavatelli!

xoxo