Cook456

Xmas Eve will be at my house with my Brother and Sister in law. I am going with a traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes menu: Porcini Mushroom Creme with Truffle on crackers With Champagne Baccala Salad Crab, Lobster, Scallop and Shrimp Salad Sauvignon Blanc Spaghetti Aglio e Olio con Acciughe (Oil, garlic & Anchovies) Pinot Grigio Whole Roasted Red Snapper Drizzled with Premier Cru EVOO Pinot Noir Pears and Grapes Roasted in Muscato Espresso and Anisette Not sure about Christmas Dinner. I do know it will be a Standing Rib Roast and a Cabernet from Bro's cellar. Here's wishing everyone a wonderful holiday!!

Which town? Now I DO have to comment that while I'm actually reasonably appreciative of WFs prepared foods, I'm a bit surprised that there's an area where no smaller local business exceeds them. I'm not saying this is an either/or in terms of where we should shop, because WF has the extra convenience factor of being combinable with your other foods shopping (and may also be the only place around which serves something like pulled pork, for example), but I'm just curious if they DO have that monopoly on convenient take-away excellence in your area? I mean obviously EVERY town has some portion of lame interchangeable chinese take-outs and a sandwich shop or two, and in those cases something like WF is probably a godsend. ← I live in Clifton near Clifton Commons, and no, there is absolutely no good quality food in this area. Therefore, I shop at the Edgewater WF, where, as you put it I can also pick up some kind of prepared food, while I food shop. I don't usually buy much in the way of prepared foods, but sometimes it does save me from cooking after a long day at work. I only wish there was something closer that was comparable.

Whole Foods. I just got back from Xmas Eve shopping and brought home a yummy pulled pork sandwich and mac & cheese for later.. ( if it lasts that long !!)

What about the Franklin Steakhouse in Nutley? Have never been, but heard good things..

There is also a Kosher bakery on Main Ave in Passaic Park.

I thought we already had this under control... working on something for March maybe tracey ← Why wait for March?? The winter is cold and dreary...a good dinner with new friends is warm and cozy!

Fava beans are usually eaten peeled.

Here is the recipe from a site: Title: Kourambiedes Categories: Cookies, Greek Yield: 50 servings (that's enough for 3 HUNGRY people trust me here!) 1 c Sweet butter 1/2 c Powdered sugar 1 ea Egg yolk 2 tb Brandy or Cognac, (optional) 1 ts Almond extract 1 ts Vanilla extract 1 ts Baking powder 2 1/4 c Sifted cake flour; (or more) 3/4 c Ground almonds; toasted 1 lb Powdered sugar; sifted In electric mixing bowl, whip the sweet butter until it is fluffy and white. Continuing to beat on medium speed, gradually add the 1/2 cup powdered sugar, egg yolk, and flavorings. Meanwhile, sift the baking powder with the flour and gradually add to the batter, mixing by hand and working the flour thoroughly into the mixture before adding more. Mix in ground almonds. Knead until a soft, buttery dough is formed that will stay together when a little is rolled in the palms of your hands. Break off pieces slightly larger than a walnut, then roll into balls, half-moons, or S-curves. Place on cookie sheets allowing an inch between each. Bake on the center rack of a 350-degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden colored, not chestnut. Remove from the oven and carefully lift each Kourambie and place on a generous layer of sifted powdered sugar. Immediately sift more powdered sugar over to cover Kourambiedes. Allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before lifting and rolling to be sure they are evenly coated. (Some folks add cloves I don't like hard things in my food! LOL) here's another site/recipe for it! http://www.christmas-joy.com/recipes/kourambied.htm ← Yum, my mom made these all the time...

I can get to the Montclair store in 20 minutes from Rutherford. Of course Clifton is big & you may be in the wrong part. But if you want some shortcuts let me know. ← That's what it takes me...I live on Main Ave, near Clifton Commons. I use RT#3 to Grove St to Clarendon to Valley Rd.. 20 mins.. I really am getting to dislike the Montclair store. They seem to run out of items I go there for..or don't stock them anymore. Most Sunday mornings I make my trek to Edgewater...have coffee and a scone or bagel..( great poppy bagels!!) and then shop, before the crowds arrive.

Where in Paramus? And why do they have to open another new store twenty or so minutes away from me ( I live in Clifton..) Edgewater- 25 min..Montclair-20 mins...Ridgewood 25 mins( via pkwy)...Geesh!!! I think it's a conspiracy!!!

Why not make a stop at Delicious Orchards on RT34 . They have a wonderful bakery section for coffee and...

When you leave Vita Mia, take the cross street ( Charles Street) down to Passaic Ave. On the corner is d'Anna's I'm sure they have it..

Actually the store is in Garfield. Vita Mia Harrison St ( or Ave) Garfield, NJ

Had their Pumpkin Ravioli as an appetizer on Thanksgiving.. Excellent!

The Petite Patisserie in Dumont is also excellent.

Gina's on Walnut Street in Montclair has wonderful breads

Whoa, how did I not know about this place? I didn't even know there was another "farm market" up there. (I know the one further down on Rt 17 N next to Staples.) Thanks! (Straying way OT from bakeries but this is a valuable tip for me.) ← It's inside the farmers market behind the Crow's Nest, on The Boulevard...Now SHHHHHHHH

I agree with you on both points. I lived in Rutherford for ten years. I don't think a high end bakery would survive. And please don't tell too many people about the fish store behind the Crow's Nest or else we'll be waiting on long lines Xmas Eve.. :-) Actually, I order all my fish a few days ahead and pick it up Xmas Eve, and do NOT have to wait more than five minutes. They are very organized, unlike the old North American Lobster..

Please tell us all about it...I'd say that would be my choice, if it weren't prepared at home.

Mikey, Let me know how it is. I saw it at Total Wine, the other day when I was there. Bought the Juilenas, instead.

FYI As I remember Delicious Orchards in Lincroft has real buttercream. Can taste the butter...

In the north jersey area: Ridgewood, Montclair, Paramus could all use an upscale bakery..Montclair has Whole Foods, and Gina's..

As always, at home with family. We're going "retro" this year, with our favorites from the past years: I will arrive at my brother's home in time for breakfast. Cranberry Apricot Corn Muffins Coffee At noontime , to stave off hunger...lol we will have Veuve Cliquot Champagne and a Leek, Prosciutto and Gruyere tart Dinner will be: Pumpkin Ravioli in Sage Butter Mesclun Salad with Walnuts, Goat Cheese and Pomegrante Seeds Brined Turkey with Shitake Mushroom Gravy Sauteed Brussel Sprouts Braised Red Cabbage with Red Wine Roasted String Beans with Shallots Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon Maple Syrup Butter and Pecans Mashed White Potatoes ( for that delish gravy ;-) ) Grandma's Old Fashioned Stuffing ( This is a keeper) Cranberry Sauce with Candied Ginger ( love this one!) Fresh Cranberry Relish with Orange, Pineapple and Apple Pumpkin Pie ( trying out Cook's Illustrated version) Lattice Cranberry and Apple Pie Dried Fruits and Nuts Chestnuts Bro is also trying out a new way to roast the Turkey this year. Roasting it at 450 degrees . We'll certainly be turning off the smoke alarms...lol Not sure what specific red wines he's picked out, but I purchased a bottle of 2002 Rene Mure Reisling. Hope yours is as wonderful as ours will be.. BTW All this food is for three people!!!!!!!

OK, So far it's Billicart Salmon Rose with a Leek and Gruyere Tart to take the bite off hunger at , say, noontime. Beaujolais Nouveau is the red choice, for the main course, but I'd like a white, too...

Zinfandel? Reisling? Pinot Noir?