Random Holiday Bites

Happy Merry!

We snuck out to Miami for a few days pre-holiday, but the weather wasn't too cooperative. :(

It rained most of the time we were there, so we had no choice but to go to Lucali for amazing Brooklyn pizza (in Miami).

When it rains, eat.

We had a lovely holiday, celebrating my birthday, Christmas eve and Hanukkah all on the same weekend!

Here are some scenes.

We had latkes for the first night of Hanukkah, topped w/ creme fraiche and smoked salmon.

My grandmother always served them with apple sauce, but I'm fancier ;)

We were invited to a Southern Italian traditional Christmas Eve "Feast of the Seven Fishes"......every family does it differently, most serving squid, bacala, shrimp and other delights......my friend Debbie's family serves crab cakes, poached salmon, shrimp beeps and clams casino from the Belmont Tavern (famous NJ restaurant) and it's truly a feast.

Her sister Patti makes the best Christmas cookies, including these amazing rugelach.
Pronounced RUG-A-LUCH.....not "roogelah". oy.

I have been addicted to this smoked salmon toast w/ fried capers, creme fraiche, pickled onions and tomatoes.
I've been eating it for breakfast and lunch almost everyday.

It's so good! On pecan raisin toast.......

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend celebrating with your family and friends.

Back with a recipe tomorrow.

:)