Tuesday at the Table

As busy as the season is, one of the times I enjoy cooking and sharing around the table the most is the Christmas season. For no good reason, entertaining isn't as prevalent as it once was, but this year we are at least gathering friends in one night, and family on Christmas Day. Knowing many of you are celebrating in one way or another over the next couple of weeks, I figured I'd share a few of the new recipes we're trying, and remind you of past ones that are worth bringing back.

First up was the company dinner last night. Isn't a nice cheese platter one of the easiest and most welcoming things? Quick to throw together when time is short.

We served ours with good crackers, special-occasion finocchiona, purchased quality fig jam, and pecans (recipe below). Let's just say it went over just fine.

Crunchy Glazed Pecans

from Simply Classic

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup light corn syrup

2 Tb. water

1 teaspoon salt

1 pound pecan halves

Preheat oven to 250-degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Combine butter, corn syrup, water, and salt in saucepan and bring to a boil. Add pecans and stir to completely coat nuts.Spread evenly on baking sheet and bake 1 hour, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool and serve.

Hubby's the in-house bar-tender and had several options for pre-dinner drinks, but everyone wanted the same thing: Apple Cranberry Moscow Mules. And until our supply ran out, they were served in the traditional copper mugs. Oh yeah.

I'd watched Alton Brown make Pork Wellington the other night on Food Network, and knew right off it was full of ingredients we know and love. And I can usually trust Alton, so took a risk, and even did all the prep the day before. It turned out deliciously and our guests raved. To serve alongside, I had also prepped ahead Baked Polenta with Fontina Cheese from epicurious. Also deemed delish, and we do love polenta with pork. Add to that a nice salad and artisan rolls, and a work-night supper was served.

So we have a bit of an entertaining breather until the family comes over on Christmas Day. We'll start things off with brunch, repeating the popular and yummy Cinnamon French Toast with Ricotta Filling, served up with Coffee Bacon. Though I hear son-in-law is curing and smoking his own bacon this year, so we'll see how it measures up with our traditional.

If you need a little treat for Boxing Day, consider Smitten Kitchen's gingerbread biscotti. Or for dessert after a large meal, Affogato is super easy but satisfying. In fact, you'll find a bunch of ideas listed under the Tuesday at the Table tab above. Whatever you make or serve, do savor your time around the table.