High Tide

Our best food holidays are in winter. No matter your ethnicity or holiday traditions, this Christmas season enjoy a taste of Italy with these recipe for Struffoli, Cenci, Almond Macaroons and Cannolis.

This month have a Persnickety Thanksgiving with my recipes for Cranberry-Orange Relish with a splash of Grand Marnier, Silky Smooth Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes and Mom-Mom’s Holiday’s Pumpkin Pie with old-fashioned lard pie crust (optional but worth the effort to find the lard).

In the course of a hectic life, transitioning from summer jobs back to teaching and numerous side projects I have neglected some old friends. Some have been with me since the early days in Mom’s kitchen. My cookbooks. [Recipes: Coq au Vin, Beef Bourguignon]

Cream sauces curries, mustard and horseradish all work with the versatile scallops as well as a variety of starches from pasta and polenta to grits and potatoes. This month enjoy Jersey on a Plate as well as my spin on ceviche.

Try Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Cheese, then progress to the kitchen for Coconut Milk Panna Cotta with Mango Sauce. Then it is time for real baking with Peach Blackberry Crumb Pie.