TRADITIONS WITH FRIENDS THREE YEARS LATER

As time passes, especially as time ages us, one of the most important attributes I have found is flexibility. Since New Year’s 2019 our “group” has lost 3 of our buddies. The upstairs party condo, where New Years was celebrated and splattered with lobster juice and shells, is under a major construction remediation. But, the strong shall survive and inaugurate a New Tradition.

1. Who wants to host a lobster cracking debacle party?

Answer: No One

2. What if we change the menu?

Answer: Lobster Mac and Cheese might suffice

3. You have been given a dear Christmas present of Panetonne Cake that at best is edible upon massive

soaking with alcohol…bourbon, rum, amaretto?

Answer: Make a Panetonne Bread Pudding for dessert

With our smaller group we convene in Raleigh, NC. Maine Lobster Now saved the day by shipping overnight 2 pounds of fresh lobster meat. By the way, I highly recommend this source!

I travel from Charleston to Raleigh with the provisions and utensils to be a self-contained chef. Don’t you just hate it when guests in your kitchen are always asking…where is the strainer…where is the whisk…??? I am greeted with a chilled very dry Grey Goose martini and with my apron head straight to the kitchen.

A friend brought over a pear salad to go with the dinner. While we gathered in the kitchen chatting and tasting only 2 bottles of champagne, though we imbibed many bottles of first class white wines.

We transitioned into the dining room to sample the new New Year’s meal. Oh, the delight on the faces! Lobster Mac and Cheese was a huge success. Check that box for a tradition. It is not a secret that there will be no more lobster parties on my newly painted walls next year. Plus the Amaretto Bread Pudding with Amaretto sauce was equally well received.

New Year’s Brunch was the traditional…Mack’s sausage, grits, scrambled eggs, fruit, biscuits with jam.

The pandemic has changed us all. We learned the best “joints” to order in; and there are several excellent barbecue choices in Raleigh. With the barbecue, we had the necessary collards, cornbread, and peas for good luck.