A Season to Celebrate By Loretta Paganini, Wine Savant Food Editor
Every season has a king.Summer has ripe juicy fruits, spring has tender vegetables and fall has a whole harvest of flavors.How about winter? When planning a winter feast, what should be the reigning ingredients? Modern technology and hydroponics farming have made even blueberries a winter possibility. But why try to use a summer ingredient that tastes like cardboard in the middle of winter? Embrace winter and take advantage of its mysterious ingredients. Succulent root vegetables like turnips, rutabagas, parsnip, celeriac root, Jerusalem artichokes or gorgeous winter flowers like broccoli, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower or romantic chestnuts are in abundance. Glamorous winter fruits like cranberries, blood oranges, grapes, kiwi, persimmons or pomegranates are pure perfection. Winter recipes are rich and hearty and perfect for your holiday entertaining. This is the time of the year to deck the hall and celebrate the spirit of the Season. This is the time to send out annual Holiday Party invitations to family, friends and business associates.An essential key to successful entertaining is to know your season. Winter is cold. That fact is inescapable. Use that to your hosting advantage by creating a warm and welcoming environment inside your home. Use candles and soft lighting to create a warm glow throughout your rooms. Decorate with rich fabric pillows and throws made of velvet, chenille, or even faux-fur to further your cozy cottage feel. As guests enter your home, offer them a warm mug of spiced rum, spiced wine, or Russian tea to warm the red chill off their noses. To create a festive mood arrange decorations throughout your home, even the guest bathroom. Set plates of appetizers in your kitchen, this will make your guests feel right at home.
The most important key to entertaining should be organization. The more you can get done ahead of time, the more relaxed you will be. If the host is happy and relaxed, the guests will follow suit. Remember, this is your gathering - you can make the menu as simple or complicated as you like based on your needs and time - don't try to wow your guests with new recipes if it means slaving over the stove all night. One of my favorite holiday meals is good old fashioned soup. In fact, soup made the day before and reheated on the stove the next day has a better flavor. The ingredients marry themselves overnight and create a more harmonious dish the following day.I usually serve three type of soups paired with a delicious variety of appetizers, good European crusty breads, a big salad and always a fabulous dessert. This simple menu makes a perfect are happy and relaxed, your party will always be a success. holiday meal that will delight your guests.For a special touch, serve your soups in individual bread bowls, colorful dishes, or large cups. Another nice touch includes serving soup with a toppings buffet for your guests to individualize each dish to their specific tastes. Use toppings such as croutons, popcorn, cheeses, olives and vegetables. Letting your guests serve themselves creates an intimate family feeling while allowing you free time to socialize with your guests.
Always remember when planning for your next party that what makes holiday entertaining so special is that it is often reserved for those close to our hearts.If your home is warm and cozy, the meal is hearty and embraces the season, and you
See Loretta's recipes in our food & recipe section!