Christmas in Chicago was a paradise. Of family. Of food. Of festivity. It's hard to go wrong when you're surrounded by people you love and the foods they make best.
Case in point: homemade mac and cheese that made everyone at the table sigh. Truly. Each and every person after taking their first bite let out a little happy moan. Mine was involuntary. It was so creamy inside, so crunchy on top, and filled to the gills with cheesy goodness. The homemade turkey meatloaf and peas played charming second fiddle but they'd lost the battle as soon as it started. Nothing could best the mac and cheese. Thanks Mom.
The pumpkin french toast was not made at home but rather at the best breakfast place in the Southwest suburbs. This was a supposedly healthy choice because of some reference in the menu to fiber. What it really was can only be described by its main and most decadent ingredient: butter. Second only to syrup. Thank you Grandpa for taking us to breakfast at the Hill. And for the giddy joy only a breakfast based on sugar and fat can provide.
We're related to a natural chef and at his hands these shrimp appeared as if by magic. Coated in spices that turned my fingers yellow and perfectly juicy inside they were the first coarse to a Birthday curry. The crowd went wild for these as well, going so far as to count the number of shrimp in the pan and allocate them one-by-one. We each got four. Four. I remember because I thought we only got three and then again, magic. Ummmm thanks to the Birthday girl for requesting this special meal and to the chef for providing us all with a dining room table's worth of perfect food.
At afternoon tea there are two types of sugar. And they dissolve slowly at the bottom of your delicate flowered teacup. You lift the cup with a pinky in the air and feel special because your favorite ladies are sitting to your right and left. And there are finger sandwiches and scones and lemon curd and devonshire cream and tiny little pastries. And if you're lucky your Mother chooses a tea that shocks her and turns her into a tea lover immediately. So you put a tin of the magical tea on your tab and have it on Christmas morning together. And you thank your family for being exactly what you need in this world.
Notice the dessert engulfed in blue flames. Forget candles, desserts on fire truly provide the most ambiance for a Christmas dinner. Not only do the flames make the room glow with warmth but you can actually eat the item that is on fire. It's like a fiery food miracle. Admittedly, some family members enjoyed the charred remains more than others but I have to say that the Christmas pudding is a good thing. Tasty. Flaming. Festive. It's got everything you need. Thanks to Peter for bringing it, lighting it and sharing it. (And if you pour cream on top, oh it's nice.)
This is a small sample and does not include a fair number of family faves. Best not to tempt with recipes that are family secrets. Seeing such deliciousness will only make you sad. Just like it makes me sad to be back here.
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