Seven Fish Dishes Is Back!

   Every year on Christmas Eve at the Brick house, we indulge in something unusual:

SEVEN fish dishes, for the birth of the King.

We've been doing this for more than a decade now -- maybe even two. It's connected to an old Italian custom to celebrate the Seven Sacraments. (You know -- birth, baptism, marriage, death -- that sort of thing.) 

No, we're not Italian. But the Savior is the boss at our house, and we want to celebrate His birthday in a memorable way. Besides, it's a wonderful way to slow down, if only for an evening, savor a glass of wine, and enjoy some wonderful food with our family and good friends. 

This year's menu:

Clam Chowder*
   *cheating this year and using canned chowder -- but I'll beef it up with an extra can of chopped clams.

Angels on Horseback  (a perennial favorite)

Bagna Cauda (with crusty French bread)

Caviar with Blini

Crab Cakes, North Carolina-style

Shrimp Scampi   (another often-requested dish)

Baked Salmon with Wasabi Salsa Verde

You'll find recipes for the *bold* items now -- just click on the links. The rest will come, day by day. Look for them soon!