Post Christmas Dinner

December 27, 2012

We had family arriving the day after Christmas.  Everyone was feeling like a bit of food detox would be a great idea so I was hoping to create a beautiful dinner with no butter, no refined flour, no sugar.  Naturally I failed, but came close!  A light soup and salad was perfect for the rainy day.


I was so happy with the table's light and elegant mix of old and new treasures.  A new treasure was the tablecloth.  While I won't dare go to the mall the day after Christmas, I do love shopping in my small downtown where the crowds are more manageable.  I bought two gorgeous tablecloths for half price.  Le Jacquard Francais introduces a new Christmas tablecloth every year, usually in two colorways.  This beautiful tablecloth is 50/50 linen/cotton and a large 69" square which I place on the diagonal.  The pattern is A La Francaise and has ivory and taupe damask peacock feathers, leaping stags and winter bouquets.  It's absolutely gorgeous and goes beautifully with my inherited Lenox Harvest dinnerware from my aunt, mother's Waterford Lismore hock wine glasses gifted to me a few years ago and my own Arte Italica Splendore soup plates.  The table was finished with glittered deer, some low candle light, and grandmother's linen dinner napkins, it's stunning!  For me, setting a table brings up memories of dinners from my childhood tables, both my mother and my aunt set a beautiful table and I am lucky to have some of their things now.










Soup was roasted eggplant puree and roasted tomato puree (both frozen from our summer garden) with a teensy bit of cream, chicken stock and some spices.  I can't share much more of the recipe because I just winged it, but my, it was delicious!  I kept the soup on the buffet in the Arte Italica pewter soup tureen.  I heated it with hot water before I put in the soup and it stayed warm for an hour.



A simple composed salad.
 


And mini popovers because they are so darn fun. 
 I use Ina's recipe and omit the butter, I always do and it doesn't suffer.



Christmas cookies and candy for dessert.  
I was thinking of fruit, but we couldn't go totally healthy cold turkey!  
It's still December for goodness sake!



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13 Comments

  1. simply elegant. Love the deer on cabinet. Lucky you to inherit beautiful dishes. Happy New Year.

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  2. Gorgeous! I love the pops of color you added to your display and that tablecloth is quite a find. I agree with you that setting a table brings up fond memories. How nice to have examples of beauty and hospitality to model after. Wishing you a Blessed New Year!
    Jessica @ A Humble Creation

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  3. Ah! I see my friend Vernice from We Three Dogs and Me has been by to visit, too! She's such a sweet lady! How are YOU?!?!?! Looks like just fine!!! You guys are still partying! Your dinner sounds wonderful, and it has been so long since I've had popovers! I used to love those!!! I'm just afraid to try a lot of things in this crazy electric oven I'm forced to work with. I'm never sure that the temperature I set it at is the actual temperature the oven gets. I have burned more stuff...it's quite a change!!! I see that yours turned out perfect, though, so you must know the trick. Great idea to heat up the tureen with hot water first. I do that, too, with ceramic ones and it works like a charm! I really like the way you dressed the area beneath the tureen to give it a wintry look. Your new tablecloth is beautiful!!! I love the pattern! Very pretty table, and everything looks fabulous! Enjoy your weekend and have a Happy New Year!!!

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  4. What a beautiful, elegant table. I love those unique soup bowls.
    Wishing you a Happy New Year.

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  5. What a lovely and elegant table, and love your christmas tree, so beautiful.
    and popovers, oh my gosh, haven't had those since I was a kid, my grandmother used to
    make them, and they are to die for.............

    Would love to have your recipe!!

    Also liked all your deer too, so cute.

    May you have a Joyous New Year,
    Nellie

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  6. Hi Again,
    went back to look at those popovers and got the recipe, don't know how I missed that
    the first time, but sooo glad I went back to it.
    Thanks for sharing that..........am hoping to have me some popovers very soon!! lol

    blessings, Nellie

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  7. Gorgeous table Kristen. I would be so proud to sit at your most elegant table.
    Loving all of the details. Your deer on the shelves are charming.
    Those popovers look very inviting. I have never made them. I am so tempted.
    Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful New year and definitely try the Recipage.

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  8. Your cupboards are decorated so beautifully for the holidays. Such a gorgeous tablescape you've set using your new and old treasures. Happy New Year!

    All the Best,

    Requi

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  9. Beautiful table Kristen. The menu sounded delicious also.

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  10. Beautiful table Kristen, especially with that pop of pink coming from the flowers. I have 12 Waterford goblets, each a different pattern sent to me for my birthday every year from my friend in Colorado. Lismore is one of my favorites! Love the glittery deer and I could surely use that amazing soup tureen! Your a lucky gal, so many pretties!

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  11. I just love that header, Kristen!!! And we tried the same thing when our family arrived two days after Christmas, although ours focused mainly on being sugar- and gluten- free. I baked no Christmas cookies this year and hung no candy canes or gingerbread boys on the tree, because our little grandson can't stop eating them when they're available. I avoided that scenario altogether and we just had healthful things around.

    I just love your vignettes and especially the deer here and there. So pretty!
    Have a wonderful new year of 2013, Kristen!

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  12. I was so happy to attend uour dinner party with the rest of the family. You make me proud with your beautiful table settings and the soup was wonderful as well as the salad. A perfect evening. Thank You, Love, Mom xoxxo

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  13. Of course you have xmas cookies as desert or else they follow you around for days. Are you talking about your Aunt Patty or an aunt I don't know. Lovely, lovely dinner. Your mother did a good job with you!

    ReplyDelete

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