The Irascible Chef

Traditions…

I’d like to share a few New Years Eve/Day traditions from my family. These family traditions go back almost a century. They originated with grandmother and her sister, (my second grandmother,) they passed them to us and I hope to pass them on to my children someday…

First you always start the new year going in a positive direction—UP! Start at the bottom of the stairs during the countdown on New Years Eve so that the first thing you do for the new year is ascend. Simple enough: you start the year off in an upward direction.

One of the first dishes I ever made was lentil soup (I was 3 or 4) and I was taught this dish by my grandmother and aunt. This is another tradition—at least a spoonful of lentils to start the new year off. Eating lentils, is supposed to mean a windfall of money for the coming year. (I don’t know about it bringing a windfall, however, I know I could have less money, so I’m too afraid to skip the spoonful of lentils to start each year…)

Last, but not least you need to eat a navel orange and save the peels. This represents good health for the new year. The reason to keep said peels under your bed for the entire year is still under scientific review. Speculation is that the natural oil and alcohol is medicinal and keeps viruses at bay… actually, I just made that last part up!

I needed to eat something for dinner so I through these two little numbers in! I made some bread sticks with fennel, black pepper, salt and olive oil, the perfect accompaniment—crunchy, zesty and a great dippable—They were delicious!

Mussels in a garlic, tomato, Champagne broth—oooh la la!
Garlic
Onion
Champagne (actually sparkling wine!)
Tomato
Fennel
Olive oil
FC S&P

Butter lettuce salad with a light vinaigrette
FC S&P
Olive oil
Balsamic
Oregano
Parmesan
Onion
Garlic

Lentil Stew (a chunkier version of the soup I used to make…)
Onion
Garlic
Prosciutto
Tomato
Fennel
Olive oil
FC S&P

*Topped with Grated Romano and braided bread sticks.

Hats off to my grandmother and her sister! I miss you both very much…

Don’t forget about tradition; traditions keep us connected—they keep people and memories alive forever…

******

Now, go and do!

Go upward, eat a spoonful of lentils, and an orange. I won’t hurt you—at the very least it’ll get you off the couch to get a small workout in, keep you nourished, and prevent scurvy…

Technorati Tags: balsamic, black pepper, bread sticks with fennel, Butter lettuce salad, Champagne, Champagne broth, FC-S&P, fennel, garlic, Grated Romano, Mussels in a garlic, olive oil, onion, Oregano, Parmesan, prevent scurvy, prosciutto, salt, Tomato, traditions

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