While I was making dinner, Santa came through on the fire truck with candy stockings for all the kids. Love this tradition.
Christmas Eve means the Feast of the Seven Fishes (Italian) and thirteen desserts (French). Since Mystic is Jewish, I also added latkes and gelt. First time for making either. Those two recipes, along with the salad, will follow in the coming weeks. I have made the Cioppino (fish stew) for several years now because it takes care of five of the 7 fish. I think this past Christmas Eve will be the last year for that though. My interest in it has waned a bit, and I want it to be more feast-like with seven individual dishes. Although it’s more challenging, especially with the kids underfoot, I think with a little proper planning, it can be done.
Gelt waiting to be wrapped. Pure chocolate. Can’t go wrong with that.
Although it looks fussy, this Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread is crazy simple to make, and perfect to dip into the Cioppino.
I had to have some greens on the table, and went with a knock-off of Cheesecake Factory‘s French Country Salad, which is delish.
When my sister and I were kids, we used to do family activities every Sunday. When it was our turn to choose, we usually went with visiting Chinatown, which is where our love affair with Shrimp Chips began. It’s hard to find authentic ones, but my sister and brother-in-law scored.
The wrapped gelt. After checking with six different stores, I gave up on finding gold foil or wrapping paper and wrapped the gelt in silver foil. Someone clue me in – where do you buy the gold foil?
My mom read somewhere years ago that it’s good luck to light a Bayberry-scented candle on Christmas Eve. And so we do. One never messes with the potential for good luck.
One of these little munchkins has too much personality to contain. One opted for borrowing her cousin’s Thanksgiving dress, instead of wearing her new Santa Claus footed pjs. But all four in the same shot on Christmas Eve? I’ll take it.
Nick and his cousin Sophie keeping careful watch on Santa’s whereabouts.
Before going to bed, Nick told Maxwell that he was on “Santa watch.” I’m not sure that Maxwell was up to the job.
Santa might even be a little messier than Madeline when it comes to eating cookies. Sheesh.
Will be back tomorrow with Christmas Day photos, and the first recipe for the week. Until then… xoxo
Wow – all of this food looks amazing! I love the idea of the christmas tree pull apart bread!
Never heard of anyone making their own chocolate gelt. We would always get the chocolate coins (often in gold colored mesh bag) at the supermarket so albeit not often not the best quality stuff — but that didn’t stop us. Or at a chocolate/candy store.
Looks like a great time. Happy Holidays.
Looks like you ROCKED Christmas Eve! All of that food sounds AMAZING. I really want that pull-apart bread…stat.
The picture of all four kids is fantastic. Maybe you guys should do a joint xmas card next year :P
Did you try Michael’s or the party store for the gold wrappers? I’ve seen them there. Impressed that you made your own.
Looks like a great holiday feast!
It never occurred to me to make gelt myself before! Will put that on my list for next year! Looks like your latkes were amazing!
All your food looked awesome!…although I am not Jewish–I do work for a candy company. We sell chocolate coins that are wrapped in gold foil and the chocolate is very high quality. I believe these are commonly used for gelt.