The Column of Life

This is in honour of the tradition that calls for the eating of seven fishes for Xmas eve. This recipe comes from the Ritz-Carlton and the young men, of course, can be considered sea worthy bounty or something like that.

1/2 lb softened unsalted butter (just a bit more) 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar 1/2 cup cornstarch, scant 2 cups white flour Cream butter and icing sugar together. In a separate bowl, mix flour and cornstarch. Gradually add dry ingredients to butter and icing sugar, mixing well. Mixture should be crumbly, but will compress with the back of a spoon. Spoon a small amount** into your hand, compress in your fist and then roll into a ball. Flatten somewhat in your hand. Place on cookie pan. Use a fork dipped in flour to flatted further. Should make about 36 - 40cookies. If you use a non stick pan (i.e .dark coating), bake at 280 for 20 - 22 minutes. If you use a regular pan, bake at 300 for 20 - 22 minutes. Check at 15 minutes to make sure they aren't overcooking. When done, the bottoms should be slightly browned. Remove from oven and dust with icing sugar, if desired, while still on pan. Transfer to cooling rack. ** I can't quantify this very well. Perhaps a highly rounded tabl...

One can only hazard a guess regarding Anthony Catanzaro's Italian origins. Sicily may quite possibly be part of it. There's no doubt that many would like to call one thigh "Xmas" and the other "New Year's" and would love to come visit between the holidays. Something Sicilian: Cucidati / Cucurreddi Pasta Frolla: 4 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 16 pieces 4 large eggs Fig Filling: 12 ounces (about 2 cups) dried Calimyrna figs 1/2 cup raisins 1/3 cup candied orange peel, diced 1/3 cup whole almonds or pine nuts, chopped and lightly toasted 3 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch pieces 1/3 cup apricot preserves 3 tablespoons dark rum 1 teaspoon instant espresso coffee granules 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves Egg wash: 1 large egg, well beaten with 1 pinch salt Frosting: Confectioner's sugar emulsified with orange juice ...

Stay well, George! We are glad you are home to recover, Brother!

The Solstice occured at 05:30 UTC on December 22, 2011. The December solstice is also known as the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere. 'Tis the shortest day of the year, yet it is out of the darkness that we celebrate and await the light. We are forever on our way.