Winter '09 Newsletter

From the Editor

No matter how we celebrate the holidays, no matter what religion we honor or where we live, there is one place that is in essence our "sense of place", somewhere that seems to bring together the sweet memories of holidays past, mixed with the new traditions of the present, and the place where we look to make future memories with touches unique only to you. This place will look physically different from person to person, city to city or country to country, but in any language it is simply called home. By filling our homes with our loving intentions we can literally transform those spaces in which we live. This transformation seems to happen even more during this magical time of year.

We have a lot of inspirational ideas for your gift giving, decorating as well as great recipes that will take you all the way to New Year's day. The "Interior Gardner" will teach you to make an inexpensive but elegant centerpiece that would also make a wonderful gift, using items you may have in your cabinet and backyard. Chef Eileen Considine Boggins is ringing in the New Year with recipe ideas that will make your parties or family gatherings simply yummy and I have a great buffet or mantle idea with lights and fabric in the "You can do it" section.

Amphora would like to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. No matter where you live, how big or small, how you celebrate and what new traditions you will make, may your sense of place be filled with the loving intensions and magic of the season and all year long.

Yours,
Debi

Interior Gardening

Practical Gourmet

Happy Holidays from The Practical Gourmet! The snow is falling, the ovens are on and our homes are aromatic with cookie baking, soup making and I have already begun menu planning for NYE! I want to share with you easy and versatile dishes (and a cocktail of course!) for an inviting celebration with family and friends.

Your buffet table should be colorful, both the food and decor Remember to incorporate different platter shapes, sizes and heights. Pull out the pedestal cake platters to give your table style and depth.

Amphora's table runners, candles and holiday ornaments will also provide the "sparkle" in decorating your holiday buffet table. Stop by soon to see what unique items you can add to your table!

NYE Menu Ideas for 10 guests or more:

Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail
A festive holiday cocktail with a unique color and taste to toast 2010. Recipe is for 10 glasses.

Ingredients:

• 20 Tablespoons blood orange juice (6 blood oranges)
• 10 t. grenadine
• 20 teaspoons Grand Marnier
• 10-2" inch segments of the blood orange zest
• 2 bottles of Champagne

In each glass, combine 2 T blood orange juice, 11. grenadine, 21. Grand Marnier. Twist the zest, add to the glass, Swirl to combine, add the champagne and serve. For the most festive look of the cocktail, dip the rim only in the blood orange mixture, then dip the rim with sugar. Cheers!

Hot Cranberry Port Salad Dressing
I love arugula and the peppery taste of the green. Feel free to use a mixture of other greens for this elegant salad. Dressing is easy and can be made a day or two ahead of time. Just re-heat and toss with greens.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup tawny port
• 5 oz. bacon chopped or pancetta
• 2 shallots minced
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1/3 cup olive oil (or less - to your taste)
• 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1/4 c red wine vinegar
• 2tsp sugar
• 2 heads of mixed greens, arugula or one of each
• Goat cheese or blue cheese crumbles

Directions:

1. Saute pancetta or bacon in heavy large skillet medium low. (8 minutes) or until done... Take bacon out, add shallots and garlic to the bacon fat. (2 minutes or until shallots/garlic look sauteed)
2. Add the vinegar and sugar, then whisk (may need to transfer to bowl) oil into mixture until it looks and tastes right. May not need the full 1/3 cup. Taste it.
3. Then stir in the cranberry mix. Serve hot dressing over greens of your choice. (Spinach, field greens) top with pine nuts and goat cheese or blue cheese.

Spanish Garlic Pork Tenderloin
This fabulous roast MUST be prepared 2-3 days ahead of time for optimum flavor. Perfect for a party and for the garlic lover.

Ingredients:

• 3 lb pork tenderloin roast
• 6 cloves garlic 2 t salt
• 2 T parsley (fresh)
• 1 T paprika (dried)
• 1/2 oregano (dried)
• 1/4 C olive oil

Directions:

1. Smash garlic and salt together. Add parsley, paprika, oregano and olive oil. Marinate roast 2-3 days in the refrigerator (wrap tightly) in saran wrap AND foil. Place in zip lock or Tupperware.
2. Bring to room temperature. Bake for 15 minutes at 450 degrees, then 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Let sit for 10 minutes covered, and then slice. May be eaten hot or at room temperature. *lf you want to incorporate potatoes, add sliced potatoes to roasting pan after the 1st 15 minutes.

Tangerine Teriyaki Marinade - For Beef or Shrimp
The following Marinade is one of my favorites. I promised versatile easy recipes that can be prepared ahead of time. This can be used to marinate shrimp, then grill them, or marinate beef tenderloin and grill/bake. Reserve some marinade when you prepare, to reduce and drizzle over the shrimp or beef. Garnish the shrimp or the beef with roasted asparagus and red peppers cut in one inch pieces. You can also add pineapple chunks.

Ingredients:

• 3 strips tangerine zest
• 1/2 C soy sauce
• 1/2 C sugar
• 1/2 c tangerine juice
• 1/4 c Asian sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic peeled and crushed
• 2 slices peeled fresh ginger
• 2 whole star anise
• 1/2 t cornstarch in 2 tsp water
• 1 T sesame seeds, toasted
• 2 scallions, finely chopped green only, for garnish

Combine soy sauce, sugar, tangerine juice, zest, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and star anise. Pour over beef (marinate one day) or shrimp (marinate 2 hours).

Herbed Rice
We all have recipes passed down by our Moms. Thanks to my Mom Marilyn, for introducing this simple rice recipe that complements Seafood, Beef and Poultry.

Ingredients:

• 2 yellow onion, chopped finely 2 cup rice 6 T butter 1 1/21 basil
• 1 1/21 marjoram 1/2 t thyme
• 1/2 t curry
• 1tsp sage
• 2tsp salt
• 6 C Chicken Broth

Brown the rice and onion in butter. Add all dry herbs. Add chicken broth. Bring to boil, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Makes 6 Cups

Desserts - fresh seasonal Fruit in a chilled Martini Glass

Ingredients:

• Mangoes, blueberries, strawberries - choose a mixture of color Lemon juice Lemon zest
• Plain Yogurt- 1 pint
• Honey
• Package of mint leaves
• Slivered almonds

Directions:

1. Combine plain yogurt (you can use non-fat) and honey to your liking.
2. Add zest of 1/2 lemon and 1/21 lemon juice (taste and add more if you like).
3. Fill martini glass with fresh fruit; add a generous dollop of the yogurt, garnish with slivered almonds and mint leaves.

Cannoli
These are so easy to make. You can purchase the shells at an Italian grocer in Edison Park, and make the filling a day ahead of time.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ricotta
• 1 1/2 C powdered sugar
• 5 drops vanilla
• 1/2 C citron peel (Italian grocer), chopped finely
• 1/2 C orange peel (Italian grocer), chopped finely
• 1/4 c chopped semi sweet chocolate
• Unsalted dry chopped pistachios

Directions:

1. Push ricotta through fine mesh sieve.
2. Fold in 1 1/2 C powdered sugar.
3. Add 41 vanilla.
4. Mix finely chopped 1/2 c citron and 1/2 c orange peel.
5. Add 1/4 c chopped semi sweet chocolate.
6. Sprinkle ends of Cannon's with chopped pistachios.
7. Fill a gallon size zip lock bag with the filling. Cut a small tip in the corner and squeeze the filling into the Cannoli shells. This is your pastry bag.

You Can Do It

We all have a mantle, buffet or some place in our home that just needs that little extra sparkle at the holidays, but time and expense always seems to get in the way. Gathering things from around the house that shine, reflect and catch the light can be put together in a most spectacular way. This year, I thought it would be fun to show just how far your budget can take you when you use a little imagination, magic and of course Amphora. I have used a buffet for this demonstration, but this could be anywhere in your home.

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