Sample Goods at Buon Italia in Chelsea Market

We Come Bearing Gifts {Dec. 19 to Dec. 26}

Gift Ideas at the Chelsea Market

The Menu

Saturday: A last minute visit to New Jersey
Lemon Cake
Chinese takeout for dinner.

Sunday: Classic meals for a snowy day
Buttermilk Pancakes with Caramelized pears and pecans. Topped with a slightly sweet vanilla whipped cream.
Chicken Stew made with rosemary and sage, instead of thyme. Made richer with a  little cream.

Wednesday/Thursday/Just in case quick meal:
Salmon with Spinach and Pea Salad with Pesto dressing

Friday: Christmas Dinner for Two
Roasted Young Chicken with Cornbread, Dried Apricot and Dried Fig Stuffing over Roasted Vegetables
Sauteed Swiss Chard
Sweet Potato Pie
Langhe Arneis 2008 · A floral, fruity white wine with a slight lingering mineral taste
« The Do Ahead Trick #1 » Made Cornbread for the stuffing on Saturday and placed it in the freezer.
« The Do Ahead Trick #2 » Bake sweet potato pie and place in the freezer. Defrost and serve at room temperature. I would’ve done it, but my freezer is full. Looking forward to baking on Christmas Eve.

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Cranberry Salsa

Canned cranberry sauce looks gross to me until I eat it with the rest of the holiday meal. I prefer the Cranberry Salsa compared to a homemade cranberry sauce. This recipe is a dish that refreshes the palate in between the starchy flavors of mash potatoes, squashes, and stuffing. Use the food processor for the cranberries only. The various sizes of the other ingredients gives this dish a slight crunchy contrast to mushy textures. With flavors such as orange, ginger, and mint, I find this cranberry dish complements many holiday meals. It’s a healthy sidekick to a roasted turkey. Alternatively, serve it with tortilla chips.

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Braised Red Curry Winter Vegetables and Chicken

The sweet boyfriend brought dinner home on the night I was supposed to make this recipe. “No problem,” I thought. The soup still was made the same night, although we didn’t eat it. I placed two containers of the soup in the freezer, and I packed another one for lunch the next day. One container has already been defrosted for a Friday dinner. The other one remains in the freezer for a lazy day in the near future.

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Arroz con Pollo served with a Green Salad

Next to Southern dishes, Mexican cuisine is my other comfort food. When my boyfriend and I started dating, I told him I love Spanish food. Instead, we ate at a Puerto Rican restaurant, New York City style. I was a bit confused, because I wanted enchiladas or tacos. Then, I realized his comfort food are Dominican and Puerto Rican cuisine. Now, when he says, “Baby, I’m bringing home Spanish food. Did you want a plate?”, I know what to expect.

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