New Year's Brunch

On New Year's day we had Manissa, Keegan, and Beth over for Brunch. They had done so much cooking the day before that I wanted to do return the favor. I decided on using my Aunt Etta's pancake recipe (see my December 5, 2008 entry for the recipe). I used half vanilla and half plain yogurt, and also split the flour between all-purpose and whole wheat. Just like when my aunt made them, the pancakes were moist and fluffy. To complement the meal we served coffee and mimosas (for those of us not too hungover to enjoy them).

We topped the pancakes with yogurt and strawberry and black cherry compote. A perfect start to the new year!

We hung out for the remainder of the day, loafing, playing Rock Band, watching TV. We ate macaroni and cheese. Julia and Greg joined us from Hartford. For dinner I made a ton of pasta with sauteed spinach, cannellini beans, tomatoes and parmesan - pretty much what I had around. I later learned that eating beans on new years is a tradition meant to bring good luck, so there you go.

And, because I couldn't get enough time in the kitchen, I also made Keegan a birthday cake. I tried to recreate the birthday cake I had made for Evan, since Manissa and Keegan didn't get to sample it. I didn't get the cake part perfectly right, but the icing was still good. Happy New Year! Happy Birthday!

Super belated New Year's Eve!

Well, continuing in my effort to post my backdated material, here comes New Year's Eve! I had to work from 7-10, but meanwhile everyone was assembled at Manissa and Keegan's house for a feast. Manissa, Keegan, and Beth were cooking up a storm all day, creating delicious Indian dishes such as cucumber raita and peas pulao. There was so much food that even when I showed up at 11, after 25 people and four hours, there was still plenty of food.

Beth, visiting from her new home in Michigan, made a special New Year's orange and brandy cake. This traditional Greek cake has a coin inside; whoever finds the coin first is supposed to have good luck and wealth for the new year. Beth explained that, "While we're not Greek, it was always my family's tradition to bake a new years cake with a coin inside. This was the first time I used this orange brandy recipe and I definitely think I'll do it again. I especially like the detail of spelling out the year on top in almonds." (Note that this picture is upside-down, and that the almonds spell out 2009 on top). The cake was light and airy, with a powerful but not overwhelming orange flavor. Too bad it's only made once a year!

New Year's Orange Brandy Cake
Adapted from Epicurious.com

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, or a combination of butter and margarine
• 1 1/4 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• Grated zest of 1 orange
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• Whole blanched almonds

Method:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 10-inch round cake pan.

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until light yellow and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the butter or butter and margarine and beat for 1 minute more. Beat in the orange juice and brandy.

Whisk together the flour with the baking powder, baking soda and the zests in another large bowl. Add to the yolk mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until incorporated.

In a large clean bowl, with clean beaters, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Fold them into the batter. Pour the batter into the pan and shake gently to even the top. Decorate the top with almonds.

Bake the cake for about 1 hour, or until it is golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack before removing from the pan and serving.

Family Christmas 2008

I have so many entries to post! I'm such a blog slacker! The blog may not be updated as often now that I am working 70 hours a week, but I'll try! Anyway, I've been meaning to put this one up forever - my family's Christmas! We spend the whole day eating, drinking and enjoying each other's company. We started out with just my mom, dad, sister, Evan, and myself. We opened presents (lots of great foodie books this year!) and then had breakfast. My dad always keeps a big pot of sausage and peppers on the stove on Christmas, which we devour throughout the day. This year he served some with eggs for breakfast.

My aunt, uncle, and cousins came over in the afternoon and we continued munching while playing with the Wii Evan and I got my parents. Virtual bowling anyone? There was the usual assortment of antipasti and cheeses (I am officially obsessed with pesto brie from Murray's). For dinner we had our traditional Christmas dinner - beef tenderloin with gravy, mashed potatoes, string beans and salad. Yum! Merry belated Christmas!

Channukah Dinner

Monday night Evan and I went to his parents house to celebrate Channukah. His mother prepared a delicious meal with panko-crusted chicken breasts, potato latkes, steamed broccoli and salad - and she shared some of the recipes with me. For dessert we had a rich chocolate cake from Citarella for Evan's belated birthday.

Panko Crusted Chicken Breast

Use as many chicken breasts as you would like to have. Dip each in an egg that has been beaten and mixed with salt and pepper. From there dip it in panko (Japanese breadcrumbs). Brown each side in a skillet, then put the chicken breasts in a 350 degree oven for about half an hour.

Potato Latkes
These latkes come out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside!

Peel 4 huge Idaho potatoes and shred in a large cuisinart along with 2 onions. Move to a large bowl and bix with 4 eggs, 1 cup Motzah meal, Kosher salt and ground pepper.

Heat vegetable oil in a skillet. Fill a heaping 1/3 cup with the potato mixture and place in the hot skillet, patting down with the bottom of the measuring cup. When browned, flip. Remove finished latkes from pan and blot with paper towels. To keep them warm and crispy until serving, store latkes in a 350 degree oven.