Christmas Feast

The check lists done, the wine drunk, the dinner eaten and one dishwasher load is nearly finished. Christmas is over.

I was quite proud of the table; the cloth, the dishes, the centerpiece all came together at the last moment. Yes, I have pictures of the table just before dinner but not the guests. Some things are best kept private.

Dear Hubby roasted the prime ribs, our friend brought not Chestnut cheesecake as intended but a scumptous, delicious fresh fruit tart from Southern Seasons. And I must say I was pleased with my salad offering.

Just in case you might want to make this salad, I refined the recipe this afternoon and here it is.

The Christmas Salad or “How to have a crisp, fresh salad and not be frazzled just before serving the dinner.”

Make several days ahead.

SUGARED PECANS:
1 bag of choice pecan halves, tied in cheesecloth
1 Cup of powered sugar
2 teaspoons of cinnamon (or the spice of your choice, chili can be used, or dried lavendar).

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. When boiling, drop in the bundle of pecans,
stir slightly and let heat for no more than two minutes (less if you smell nut aroma).

Drain for a few minutes, shake off the excess water and then empty the nuts into a mixing bowl with the sugar and spice. Stir with a spatula for several minutes to coat all the nuts.
Dump the contents onto a baking sheet with a silicone sheet liner and spread about evenly.
Let cool and dry. Stir occasionally to separate the nuts until the coating hardens. When throughly cool, place in a tightly lidded container and store. Will keep for up to four weeks, if they last that long (?).

Peel & Seed one POMEGRANATE, store seeds in fridge.

CHAMPAGNE-VINAIGRETTE DRESSING:
In a one-cup measure
pour a 1/2 cup of E.V.O.O. (extra virgin olive oil)
add enough almond oil to make 2/3 cup
add champagne vinegar to make 7/8 cup
leaving just enough room for a heaping spoonful of honey, and
a heaping spoonful of dijon mustard. Stir slowly until all are distributed evenly
Pour into a clean jar and drop in several sprigs of fresh rosemary.
Make at least twenty-four hours ahead of time, or even better, several days.

FOR THE SALAD TOPPINGS:
Into a clean jar place enough dried cherries for each service (4-6 per)
a half-pint of fresh blueberries, rinsed and dried, and
a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Pour over the berries about 1/4 cup of champagne-vinaigrette dressing and let stand for at least 24 hours.

Also prepare 6-9 slices of stale, toasted bread. Any kind, any thickness.


MIXING THE SALAD:
Into a large mixing bowl:
Chop 1/4 of a large red onion, coarsley.
Add 2 tablespoons of champagne-vinaigrette dressing,
generously grind fresh black pepper
a couple of handfuls of alfalfa sprouts, pulled apart, and
finely chopped chives, about half a supermarket carton , stir well. Set aside.

With a salad spinner to dry the greens begin with:
1/2 head radicchio
5 oz. carton of fresh spinach leaves
2 hearts of romaine
Chop each, rinse and spin. Layer in a large container between paper towels to allow for excess moisture to drip dry. Set aside.

AFTER DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE:
Mix the dry greens with the onion-sprout-chive mix. Toss to coat the dressing.
Drain the dressing from the cherry/blueberry mix, discard the herb.
Add the berries over the salad mix, toss some more.
Add NO more than absolutely needed dressing, too much will make the salad soggy.

Into six salad bowls put 2-3 crouton-sized cuts of the toast. Divide into salad among the bowls being generous with each portion. Place a whole, small slice of bread on top (or half a large slice) and cover each salad bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge overnight, or even a full twenty-four hours.


FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER
Remove the salads from the fridge about an hour before dinner. Remove the wrap and dump the top slice of bread. Drizzle extra dressing sparingly. Add as desired to each salad: 5-6 pecan halves, a heaping spoonful of pomegranate seeds and a couple of individual long chives. Serves six dinner guests.

If anyone should complain about your elegant construction, just shoot them.