Now that we have a house, we've began hosting more holiday events and parties (4th of July and
labor day b-b-q's, holiday parties, Christmas dinners). As the cook of the family, I've began to look for dishes to serve
that will not only be delicious (and perhaps meaningful), but will also allow me to spend some time enjoying the party. I
haven't yet been completely successful at that, but I'll keep trying.
In these pages you'll find my menus for different parties and special dinners that I host. You'll note that for these
events I'm using both store-bought foods and home-made recipes. Buying pre-made food can be a great time saver, and
sometimes what you buy can be just as good, or even better, than what you make (or at least, what I make). If you are
looking for dinner ideas also check out my regular recipes, or international
dinners.
- Thanksgiving 2022
Old favorites and family recipes. Persimmon butternuet squash soup, goat cheese & caramelized onion tart, bacon wrapped bananas, shrimp with cheese & bacon, sundired tomato bruschetta, Calypso chicken, roasted veggies and Granny's lemon sponge cake.
- Christmas Eve 2021
A meal I didn't cook but I'm recording here so I can remember what we did back in '21.
- Marga's Family Dinner 2021
Debuting homemade cannelloni and tiramisu
- Thanksgiving 2021
The only winner were the canapes
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2020
Brie & apple tart, truffled ravioli, prime rib roast and Granny's lemon sponge cake
- New Years Eve Dinner - 2018
Onion & blue cheese tarts, braised short ribs with chocolate & rosemary, peppermint chocolate cake
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2018
Nine courses (but we skipped the cheese) featuring chestnut soup, fish in coconut sauce, Beef Wellington and a vegan mushroom Wellington and two chocolate tarts.
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2017
Twelve courses, including bastilla (regular and vegetarian), roast beef and sticky toffee pudding.
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2016
8 courses including a to-die-for coconut butternut squash soup, five-spice short ribs and the most delicious dulce de leche cheesecake
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2015
Simple old favorites including mushroom soup, prime rib and chocolate perppermint cake.
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2013
13 courses, including mushroom soup, bastilla, a roast and chocolate peppermint cake.
- Hanukkah Dinner Party -
2011 - Repeated in 2013
Latkes and two briskets!
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2012
A new recipe for shortribs, coconut plantain soup, peanut butter trifle & some great cheeses.
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2011
Shortribs, curried butternut squash soup & tres leches cake.
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2010
Beef Wellington, mushroom soup & butternut squash gnocci.
- Darwin Birthday Tea Party - 2009
English tea, cookies, sandwiches & birthday cake!
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2008
Rack of lamb, butternut squash soup & corn cake
- 2008 Hanukkah Dinner
Same latkes, a new brisket.
- 39th Birthday Party
A Hawaiian Luau
- Halloween 2007 party
Not very halloweenish old favorites
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2006
A reprise of our 2004 dinner, with a new and amazing camembert tart
- Hannukah 2006 party
Brisket, latkes and donuts
- Thanksgiving 2006
featuring a whole braised chicken with bacon
- Christmas Eve Dinner - 2004
tartlets, mushroom soup & prime rib
- Thanksgiving 2004
featuring a Roast Turkey with Prosciuto-Hazelnut Crust
- Halloween 2004 party
chili, empanadas & hors d'ouvres
- Michaela's 2nd Birthday Barbecue
Grilled food and big smiles
- Holiday 2003 party
serving Arab food
- Halloween 2003 party
serving real food with a Halloweenish twist.
- Thanksgiving 2002 dinner
a non-traditional meal with Basque food from Piperade restaurant
- Holiday 2000 party
serving international and ecumenical food
All Recipes | International Recipes