This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win an e-book copy of “A Christmas Wish for Love.”
A Taste of Christmas by Mariah Lynne
Each year, as I unwrap precious ornaments from my childhood, I am reminded of past family holidays. My father immigrated to the US from Naples, Italy and brought this holiday tradition with him. I find it ironic that I now live close to Naples, Florida.
Southern Italians especially Neapolitans begin their holiday on Christmas Eve with a very special meal, The Feast of The Seven Fishes. Growing up in New Jersey, I remember my mother and father taking me to my Aunt Maggie’s (Michelina’s) on Christmas Eve to celebrate with cousins, aunts and uncles. As we walked through light snow, past bushes filled with colored lights, to climb the two steps up to her front door, aromas of fresh bread, sauces, and homemade desserts greeted us from her kitchen.
Once everyone had arrived, we gathered in her dining room. Laughter, homemade wine and animated conversations filled the room. An ecru lace tablecloth crocheted by my grandmother covered her long dining room table. Red poinsettias and a special nativity from Italy decorated her sideboard. All the children gasped when we saw the colorful packages underneath her Christmas tree knowing she always had a present for each of us,
This special night, all problems were left at the door. Only love and happy thoughts of Christmas filled our minds as we eagerly anticipated dinner. My aunt and grandmother cooked all day. My mother brought her homemade biscotti to serve for dessert along with her homemade cannoli.
The oohs and aahs became louder as my aunt and uncle carried in the platters filled with The Feast of The Seven Fishes. The menu remained constant.: calamari, baccala (salt cod), clams with linguini, crab in a tomato sauce with angel hair pasta, anchovies, baked flounder, and shrimp cooked in olive oil with lemon butter. I’ve watched the Feast cooked by professional chefs on TV, but none could ever compare with Aunt Maggie’s labor of love.
Living by the sea, I kept the tradition of serving fresh seafood on Christmas Eve. Not as big as the Feast but one appropriate for our smaller gathering: homemade New England Clam Chowder, baked stuffed shrimp or Shrimp Scampi, Parmesan Crusted Grouper and my mother’s homemade biscotti.
RECIPE FOR SHRIMP SCAMPI: ENJOY!
Ingredients
1 POUND OF LARGE SHRIMP (16-20), peeled and de-veined
SALT and FRESH GROUND PEPPER TO TASTE
3 GARLIC CLOVES CHOPPED– OR MINCED
2 TABLESPOONS FRESHLY CHOPPED PARSLEY
2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
3 TABLESPOONS BUTTER
½ CUP WHITE WINE
RED PEPPER FLAKES TO TASTE
1 ½ TABLESPOONS OF LEMON JUICE
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper and sauté for 1-2 minutes on one side until they begin to turn pink, then flip. Pour in wine, add red pepper flakes. Simmer for 1-2 minutes or until wine reduces to half and shrimp is cooked through but not over– cooked. Stir in the remaining butter, lemon juice and parsley and take off heat immediately. Serve over rice, pasta, or steamed vegetables.
Have you ever had a holiday cookie that came with a set of instructions? You’re about to.
In this sweet, heart-warming holiday romance, a precocious twelve-year-old named Luci, short for Lucia, never met her mom because she died giving birth. Her dad, a Florida Gulf Coast Island veterinarian, loved his late wife so much that he does not date or look at any other woman even though women are attracted to him. He still wears his wedding ring and, every Saturday night, shares a box of her mom’s memories, hoping to keep her alive in Luci’s heart.
Luci’s elderly Swedish next-door neighbor Meta loves Luci like an adopted granddaughter. When Luci’s dad gets called in for an emergency on her birthday which happens to be Saint Lucia’s Day, Luci and her dog Chester visit Meta.
Meta gives Luci a surprise birthday gift as she leaves to take home and open later with her dad. Then the holiday magic begins.
A CHRISTMAS WISH FOR LOVE is an enchanting and inspiring story you will want to share with others!
Mariah Lynne takes her readers on exciting adventures. Travel through time to catch a thief or be rescued by a handsome knight, outsmart murderers who think they are invincible, and fall in love again with romances that will make you smile and melt your heart. Her heroines are fearless, strong- willed independent women whose stories are sure to entertain you .
A resident of a beautiful Florida Gulf Coast barrier island for more than thirty years, she loves to weave the local color of islanders into her characters as well as set her stories in the scenic island backdrop that serves as her back yard. An animal lover, all her heroines have pets. Her books include: The Love Gypsy, Shadows Across Time, The Duchess’ Necklace, A Gem of a Murder, Claws for Justice, Paws for Christmas, Max Canine Concierge of Love, and A Christmas Wish for Love.
Buy the book at the author’s website.
Ooh, shrimp scampi sounds good! I love seafood.
Thank you so much for the recipe and for letting us know about the tradition. I was not familiar with that… love learning new things!