Like most you I am sure, I have spent he day lunging around resting and trying to recuperate after lots of fun and partying. I hope Santa was good to you? I certainly got plenty of new toys and gadgets for the kitchen.
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year 2012
Bloody Mary Fruit Sangria Cocktail
Not to put a damper on things I am leaving town for a few days tomorrow morning for a funeral. My godmother has passed away from cancer. Don’t feel to bad, she is no longer suffering. Silver lining and all. Besides that she lived a wonderful life for 80 years and she was my mom’s best friend for the past 70 years. She was an amazing baker. I will try and get one of her recipes while away and bake them as an homage.
I will be back in town for New Years Eve and parties are already planned. So this will most probably be my last post for 2011. And I will have to leave my commenting on your blogs to 2012 as well I am afraid. I want to thank you all for visiting my blog when you can. I hope to entertain you, makes you laugh most of the time and make you salivate of curse. I am always so thankful to have found this outlet to share my passion: FOOD.
I will end this post with a little peak into the family meal we shared on December 24th and a bizarre but awesome cocktail recipe I created.
Chicken Ballantine
My mom is always in charge of the dinner. This year she made a Vichyssoise soup and Chicken Ballantine. This was apparently my grandmother’s recipe. It is deboned chicken legs shaped into a ball filled with rice and liver stuffing. To accompany it she made a white sauce flavored with Ricard, a French aniseed liqueur. Yep it is as good as it sounds.
I always am in charge of the cocktail and dessert. Thank you to Liz from That Skinny Chick can Bake for the Ganache Topped Chocolate Tart she posted and I could not resist making. A resounding success it was declared. Instead of whip cream I opted for a recipe of homemade real Crême Fraiche I saw at Food Wishes. You have to make this! This is what the Brits put on their scones at tea time.
My father is from Vienna, Austria and we follow the tradition of opening the gifts on the evening of the 24th. And a personal family tradition is to open a bottle of bubbly as we open the gift. This is where the cork landed: in a crystal wine glass by the sink from dinner. Funny but my mom was not laughing lol. Speaking of drinks, here is my cocktail invention. It was a spur of the moment invention and it does sound weird but it was really delicious. I am guessing the measurements since I did not take notes. If you don’t have pepper vodka just add a bit of Tabasco to taste with regular vodka.
Ξ Bloody Mary Fruit Sangria Cocktail Ξ
12 oz tropical fruit smoothie
1 oz hot pepper vodka ( I used Khortytsa Pepper Honey Hot from the Ukraine)
1 oz Grand Marnier
2 oz red wine
Mix all ingredients together and serve on ice. Serves 2.
I am so sorry for your loss, and for reading about it so late. My condolences to you and your family… But I hope 2012 brings you comfort and happiness.
Happy New Year!! That cake looks AMAZING and the drink sounds delish
Pass a slice of that chocolate tart. hard to make a brown drink sound appealing, but you did. Sounds delicious!
Looking forward to sharing 2012 with you!
Dave
I thought I left a comment here, hmm. Anyway – I am sorry for your loss. I really hope that your 2012 is as wonderful and fabulous as you!!!
Happy New Year Evelyne!
Everything looks terrific…love the drink, so interesting hot pepper vodka? Never heard of it…hope you are having a lovely week 🙂
So sorry to hear about your Godmother.
I’ve really enjoyed reading your post, wishing you a joyful and delicious 2012!
It is that chicken ballotine with the ricard-spiked sauce that got my attention! Yum!
Hope you had a wonderful holiday season! Happy 2012!
I’m so sorry to hear about the death of your dear godmother…may she RIP. And I was so thrilled to see that you made the chocolate tart…wow, it’s perfect!!! Wishing you a happy and delicious 2012, my friend!!!
PS…so glad there were no crystal casualties on Christmas Eve 🙂
Meilleurs voeux gourmands pour 2012!!Pierre
My heartfelt condolences to you… May the New Year bring you joy and all that your heart may desire. This is a beautiful post and tribute to your family – very touching.
So sorry to hear about your Godmother. 🙁
Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in 2012 though.
The cocktail looks and sounds yummy and it’s so unique! However, the chicken ballantine in bold caught my eye while reading your post. We used to have several of those from Zabars every other Sunday night oir with brunch. I made one of my own (love boning a whole chicken and stuffing every crevice – especially the drumsticks!) 2 years ago, and now want to make it again, served with your lovely Bloody Mary Fruit Sangria. I’m so glad you had a wonderfu; holiday! Wishing you and your loved ones an amazing, happy, healthy and safe New Year, my friend! xoxo
What a feast and a wow on the cocktail 🙂 I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and have an amazing 2012!
I am sorry to hear of your loss, but it does sound like she lived a good life. It will be great if you can get a hold of her recipes 🙂
My your godmother rest in peace!! And yes, the chocolate tart looks so yummy, but I think I’m going to make myself a Bloody Mary Fruit Sangria Cocktail!! A very good idea! 🙂
I hope you had a wonderful Xmas and all the best for 2012, hope all your dreams and wishes come true.
Sorry to hear about your godmothers passing away.
Man, that chocolate tart looks amazing. On another note, I’m sorry for your loss Evelyne.
Hi Evelyne! I hope you had a wonderful holiday. Well it looks like you had a great time from what you had. 🙂 I’m just stopping by to wish you Happy New Year, and I’ll see your new posts in 2012! It was great meeting you this year!
Ooo, that ganache-topped cake looks SO good!
Happy holidays 🙂