So the holidays begin

[chickenfeet]

We have guests for Christmas dinner for the first time in a very long time, possibly ever, for lemur_catta and I. Preparations are now officially underway. The menu has been agreed:

Gravlax

Green bean and hazelnut salad

Roast prime rib of beef
Potatoes Rioja style
Leeks in horseradish cream
Brussel sprouts (manner to be determined)

Cheese - Époisses, Manchego, Cashel Blue and maybe a couple of others tbd.

Dessert (provided by guests)

The wines will be 13th Street Riesling 2002 and a Marynissen Red, either the '98 Cab/Merlot reserve or the'99 Cab Franc.

The gravlax is now curing, some of the cheese and assorted Christmas goodies have been bought. Most of the rest can now wait until nearer the day.

Later we are off to the Kensington Market for the solstice celebrations and to finalize the cheese selection.

Comments

[marnameow.livejournal.com]

You've just reminded me that I haven't decided what I'm cooking yet. Oh, the choice!

[frumiousb.livejournal.com]

sounds lovely. lucky guests!

[besideserato.livejournal.com]

Holy Manolo! When are you guys having me over for dinner?! That sounds DIVINE!

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

Consider yourself invited any time you can work up an excuse to visit TO.

[besideserato.livejournal.com]

Thanks! You are sweet! I may just take you up on that.

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

I enjoy feeding fun people!

[thidwick.livejournal.com]

Wow. I'm coming to YOUR house for dinner! Leeks in horseradish cream sound divine, and I loooooove Manchego cheese.

I'm too lazy to look it up, so I'll just ask you. :-) What is gravlax?

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

salmon cured with salt, sugar and dill

[thidwick.livejournal.com]

Mmm, that sounds good too. I just may show up uninvited. ;-)

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

You would be most welcome

[a-d-medievalist.livejournal.com]

Sounds delish. I just realized I should offer to bring something for Christmas -- except that my hostess still has my pie plates from Thanksgiving ;-)

I am just hoping that the tradtional food ends at lefke, and stops well before the lutefisk.

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/3227/O_Lutefisk.htm

[a-d-medievalist.livejournal.com]

LOL! Um, what are Rioja-style potatoes?

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

Potatoes braised in red wine with garlic and rosemary. Very decadent!

[a-d-medievalist.livejournal.com]

hmmm garlic, red wine and rosemary sound pretty necessary to me!