Taking on "The Crown" for Christmas

Christmas is one of the most special holidays (the best one for me) and therefore it's surrounded with the emotions of tradition, family memories and an eagerness to create the best celebration ever. Each year it only seems to get better, even though the family elements are ever-changing. While honoring the "musts" of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I search for something new and exciting each year.

For the second year in a row, Christmas Day was hosted at our home, affectionately known as Country Hollow, which thrilled me because I could decide on the menu and the decor. It was time to switch out the honey ham that is always served on our yuletide table and surprise the group with something they have never paired with Mema's famous lasagna...a Crown Pork Roast.

The Crown, among some other new recipes, was a welcomed challenge that I needed this year. I wouldn't have it any other way! The menu ideas, ingredients and cooking lesson were all possible due to my friend and colleague, Chef Joe Vergari. I approached him one day and said, "I'm tired of our usual spiral ham with Christmas dinner. I think I want to do a pork loin. What do you think?" Chef excitedly replied, "I've got just the thing for you." I am so thankful for that conversation and the education that followed.

I was given the tools to make an amazing crown pork roast, fresh fruit stuffing, Rosemary roasted red potatoes and carmelized brussels. My grandmother made her famous lasagna, which tops itself each year, while my father contributed a delicious green bean casserole. All of this was paired with Raphael selections of: 2005 Petit Verdot, 2005 La Fontana and finished with a 2007 Port with our Chocolate Trifle dessert (thanks to Mema once again).

Maybe I'm telling all of this backwards but I can't forget our Blue Glacier cocktail that we created with my mixologist uncle, Gregg Lewis. It combined Tommy Bahama rum, simple syrup, Blue Curaco, honey and lemon. The glass was rimmed with honey and coconut. This was the perfect start with a Waldorf Crudite dip that I made with my new food processor along with some specialty cheeses from Love Lane Cheese Shop in Mattituck.

Pictured above is our holiday table. It was warm and cozy with gold flakes and Victorian ornaments inside of various hurricane vases. I chose a cranberry tablecloth this year to pick up the colors of my eclectic Tuscan dish styles. The dining area is small, but all fit comfortably. As personalized place settings, I used a gold oil-based pen and wrote each guests name and the year on an ornament and left it on their plate. This doubled as a favor to commemorate the occasion.

The table, the culinary creations, the atmosphere and most importantly- the company of family and friends has made the 2010 holiday the best one that we've had in a very long time. Thank you to all for making my Christmas. Wishes of happiness and health to you in the New Year. Cheers!

Michael Anthony's Food Bar

Fine food and family. This is just a start to what you can expect from Michael Anthony's Food Bar tucked away off of a Northern beach road in Wading River. What better way to celebrate my birthday, then by trying an exciting new dining experience in a place that came well-recommended by so many of my friends and colleagues.

I don't proclaim myself a critic of any sort. My purpose is always to share restaurant hot spots and recipe ideas that really wow me. I want to spread the word to as many as possible. That being said, I can firmly stand by my word when I tell you that Michael Anthony's is hands-down the best place I have dined this year and I have made a decision to call this restaurant our new "local go-to" dinner spot. When I find a favorite, it's where my family and I will celebrate everything. Being a cut above in atmosphere, service and food and still offering reasonable pricing, I can call Michael Anthony's home.

Upon being greeted for our reservation, we were treated as old friends or visitng family immediately. The sommelier, Cassandra, was absolutely charming and truly knew her wine pairing art. The welcoming ambiance and table set-up were extremely comfortable. The dining room was filled with an energy and buzz with live music humming from the bar area. However, it also offered a romantic island of solitude at our corner window table.

The chef sent out a tuna tartare muse course first, along with warm breads served with olive tapanade, red pepper hummus and garlic butter spreads. Nice touch. Then we began our four course meal. Each was more exquisite than the last and all worked together perfectly! My dinner menu consisted of the following.

• Polenta toast with mushroom ragout and white truffle oil paired with the smooth Bedell Taste Red blend.


• Butternut squash bisque paired with a spicy Sardinian red from Cannonau Di Sardegna.


• Main course of tender veal rolled with spinach, breaded and served with a bechamel cream sauce. This was paired with a unique South African wine called Chocolate Block, which was jam in a glass. Terrific!


• I finished with a Swiss chocolate pyramid that featured carmelized sugar. I sipped on a Cappuccino with this one.

The experience of these dishes went beyond the ordinary in the flavor combinations and the beautiful presentation. Plus, Chef Michael visited our table twice that evening. He, Cassandra and all of the staff truly exceeded my expectations.

If you have not been to Michael Anthony's Food Bar yet, please plan on it for the new year. It is an absolute must!

'Tis the season to be extremely busy but don't forget to take a moment with your loved one(s) to share a glass of wine, a cup of coffee or if the time allows, a relaxing meal together.

Celebrate Breakfast

Cold December mornings. A crisp bite in the air and the strong-willed wind that crashes at your window panes. There's nothing like a hot cup of coffee and the enticing smell of cinnamon to warm you as you wake.

I'm all about sitting over my coffee mug and Roger is the breakfast chef in this house. This morning he baked. He baked a Bisquick Cinnamon Raisin Biscuit recipe that could compete with the taste, texture and aroma of any fine bakery. These biscuits or scones offered a double dose of cinnamon with an extra drizzle on top. The best part is that they are super quick and easy to make (as long as you mix extremely well).

I would recommend these delicious treats for your weekend breakfast or for holiday guests. The flavors are true Christmas and are sure to bring lots of spirit to your home.

Double Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits
Makes 9 biscuits.


2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup raisins
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Heat oven to 425 F.


2. Stir all ingredients in medium bowl (or mixer- very well) until soft dough forms. Drop by 9 spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with additional sugar, if desired.


3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

For the drizzle:

1. Stir together 1/2 cup confection sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 2 teaspoons of milk in a small bowl until liquified. Drizzle on top of warm scones.