have many fond memories of Christmas time, especially all the sumptuous meals I have shared with friends and family. I remember that first hot chocolate melting away the cold. My Grandmother Marie's special bowl of dry roasted nuts placed out only during special times, little nibbles tempting me around every corner. Sometimes it was too much to bear for one little kid, especially one that liked to eat as much as I did.
During the holidays, my family and I used to go to my Grandparent's home for a very traditional meal, usually turkey and all the trimmings. My Grandmother Marie was the best baker on the planet. The smells wafting up from her mincemeat, lemon meringue, and pumpkin pies were enough to melt souls. Her meals were always perfect, and we consumed every last morsel with great gusto.
Planning Christmas Dinner with my mother was different. She would pull out every cookbook and magazine to try and find something new. But every year without fail she ended up cooking the same things. A beautiful roast goose, stuffed plums, wild rice and lingonberry sauce. My mother really needed to know that all her efforts were very much appreciated. During dinner she would stare at her plate and say "I really never seem to get this quite right." Meaning to say, "Isn't this the best I've done yet?" It didn't matter; she always got her praise, and we had an exquisite meal.
Well, times have changed. I 'm grown, live in San Francisco with my husband and son, and have very different cravings for holiday fare. Like a lot of people, were more interested in eating less, and savoring more exotic types of cooking. Gone are the days of huge, laden platters of traditional holiday food.
When I entertain for the holidays, I like to prepare many different small plates filled with a wide variety of textures and flavors. Everyone can eat as much or as little as they like, and still have a festive meal.
Six of San Francisco Bay Area's most talented and creative chefs have supplied me with some of their favorite holiday recipes. Combined with some of my own favorites, I know my family and I are going to have a uniquely different, and luscious Christmas feast.
