The Feast 2015

Merry Christmas everyone!

Yes, I know, Christmas was last week, but I'm still recovering from all that cooking.

But...

Before I start whining, I should say right up front that I think it was a lovely Christmas. Our usual stalwart group of friends came...

The ladies.

The men. Plus Laura photobombing.

The children. Who are suddenly impossibly grownup and lovely.

Everyone was in a good mood.

Jimmy. In a good mood.

This year we even had a little entertainment, y'all - 12-year old Teagan treated us to a few Christmas carols on the piano...

Nobody had had a fight right before they came. No one's children were sick. Nobody drank too much and had to go lie down. The children occupied themselves for the entire evening (not sure if this was a Christmas miracle or if they've just finally reached that age). The food turned out really well and everybody ate themselves silly.

But...

Here's the thing. It was a lot of cooking. Too much. Yes, I did say that. Okay, I'm actually going to go a step farther...

Next year I'm going to cut back. There, I said it. Really. I swear. Streamline. Simplify. Yeah, that sounds good. Perhaps I should explain for any newcomers...

Every Christmas Eve we celebrate with The Feast of the Seven Fishes. It's an Italian-America thing. An all-seafood dinner, based in the Catholic tradition of fasting from meat on the eve of holy days. Jimmy's family has always celebrated this way, and when we married, I excitedly jumped into the fray with both feet. For the last seven or eight years (I should know this, but I don't, I'll blame middle-age) we have forgone a trip to New York in the dead of winter (thank God) and I have cooked it myself here in LA. Happily. There is really little that I enjoy more than planning/preparing/serving an elaborate dinner party.

But...

The whole Feast of the Seven Fishes tradition is a little loose. Every family does it differently, and has different "rules". Everybody seems to have a different take on the "seven fishes" thing. Is it seven different kinds of fish? Seven courses? Seven seafood dishes? Mommy was always kind of fast and loose with the fishes, nobody would ever have actually counted them. All of the menus for the feast that I've found online have five courses, with a lot of fish,  not necessarily seven.

But...

At some point, those people up there in those pictures sort of daaaaared me to go all out - seven complete seafood dishes, served over five courses. And I have never dodged a dare. Nobody has to triple dog dare me. I'm always all "OH, you think I can't do it? You think I can't? Well I'll show YOU!". 

So that's what it's evolved into. A lot of cooking. This year's menu...

Antipasti:

Steamed Mussels with Italian Sausage and Fennel. So good. Roughly based on this recipe here. But I vamped and kind of made it my own. Served with a bowl of crusty bread to sop up the juice. Mmm.

Salmon Tartare. Cold and fresh to contrast the mussels. And kind of amazingly yummy the next day in an omelet!

Insalata:

Octopus and Squid Salad with Celery, Potatoes, and Leeks. My reinvention of something I had at Osteria Mozza. This group always loves their octopus.

Tuna Crudo on a salad of Fennel, Radishes, and Apple. They also love their raw tuna. Always a favorite.

Primi:

Linguine Frutti de Mare. A marinara sauce with crab, baccala (salt cod), scallops, shrimp, and clams. Jimmy's favorite food on the planet.

Secondi: 

Petrale Sole Poached in Olive Oil served over a Broccollini and Arugula Pesto.  Exactly what it sounds like.

Roasted Shrimp with Feta. A favorite which I've made several times now. Good old Barefoot Contessa. 

Dolci:

Red Wine Chocolate Cake. I had this at my friend Elizabeth's a while back, and have actually been thinking about it ever since. SO moist and rich. A Smitten Kitchen recipe from here.

So there you have it. The Feast of the Seven Fishes 2015. All turned out well. Everything went smoothly. Lots of stuffed and happy guests.

But...

It took me THREE full days to recover. Seriously. And I don't mean recover like clean up and get the house in order. I mean physically recover from the state of exhaustion I found myself in. My feet and legs ached from standing, my hands were actually swollen from all that chopping and washing. It's not just a lot of cooking, it's a ridiculous amount of shopping. I drive all over the stinking City of Los Angeles. Monte Carlo Italian Deli in the valley for the baccala and the imported tomatoes. Little Tokyo downtown for the sashimi grade tuna, the octopus and the squid. The Ralphs and the Vons and the Trader Joe's AND Whole Foods because no store has all the specific things I want. It's just so damned much work. Which I love.

But...

I mean, look at me in this picture with Melissa...

I mean, despite a ridiculous amount of shiny eyeshadow that I had smeared on my brows, and a courageous smile, I look like I'm about to fall over! (I also look fat, but that's another topic altogether)

So...

Next year I'm simplifying. Sorry guys. I'm thinking just a standard five course meal. That would cut out three dishes. I'll make sure there are at least seven fishes in there just to satisfy everybody. I think that if I simplify, I'll be able to put more love and soul into each dish. Is that hokey? I don't care. I think that I'll be able to concentrate more on making each course special. I've taken on the dare and come through. Over and over. But now I'm moving on.

And...

Ooooo, now that we have a pianist in our midst, maybe Teagan and I can work up a couple of numbers. Yeah, baby. If I'm nice and rested, I'll be able to sing a couple of carols with my then 13-year old accompanist. It will be fabulous! Hmm...time to start planning the Feast of the Seven Fishes 2016!

Comments

[Jan]

I, too, am still recovering from Christmas, and Christmas dinner. And I did something this year that I've never done before - I bought a Honey Baked ham; it was the 7 bajillion side dishes PLUS a chocolate souffle PLUS homemade peppermint ice cream and 3 hours worth of gift exchanges (don't ask) that did me in.

Fortunately, I have an adult daughter I can pass the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner torch to (whether she wants it or not). I'm just getting too old for this shite.

[Becca]

Wow, I can't believe you cook that much every year. That would exhaust anyone! I'm glad you didn't try to incorporate the fish into the dessert course lol Happy new year!

[Kristie]

I always look forward to your seven fishes dinner post being in the midwest the closest we get to any seafood is Red Lobster...it all sounds wonderful and way too much work! Happy New Year to you!

[Judy Ring]

2 years ago, I did a Feast of Seven Fishes for about 20 people because you always made it sound so delicious and fun in Second Blooming. I had never heard of it until I read your blog! It WAS delicious and fun! And exhausting!! I didn't do nearly the number of dishes you make, either. But I'm glad I've cooked it at least once. Happy New Year!

[Janice]

And there was your feast yet again! The preparation wears on one's body.

[Ed Blazek]

Whatever you end up doing in 2016, you must not leave out the shrimp and feta dish.

[Gina @ Moxie Glam Photography]

The Red Wine Chocolate Cake sounds TO DIE FOR! Your family are friends are so lucky. My christmas involved Mac N' Cheese and under cooked Ham. I will be watching closely more recipes. God you're wonderful.

[Gina @ Moxie Glam Photography]

The Red Wine Chocolate Cake sounds TO DIE FOR! Your family and friends are so lucky. My christmas involved Mac N' Cheese and under cooked Ham. I will be watching closely more recipes. God you're wonderful.