Posted on 12/24/2017 10:12:47 AM PST by Old Teufel Hunden
PITTSBURGH Its just after 6 oclock in the morning, but Joseph Sabino Mistick is already on his second cappuccino and is now buying a round for everyone who just walked into La Prima Espresso coffee shop.
Misticks for all of them! the former deputy mayor of Pittsburgh says to the barista. (The hot creamy creation with an extra sprinkle of cocoa is named after him.)
Its dark and frigid outside, but inside this tiny espresso bar the room is bursting with rich aromas, chatter and excitement as patrons start planning their traditional day of shopping for cena della Vigilia or, as the vigil is more commonly known, the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
It is a celebration whose origins date back to ancient southern Italy, said Sabino Mistick. It goes back to the Roman Catholic custom of abstaining from meat on the eve of holidays including Christmas.
You can see the connection in several Catholic traditions. You have the seven sacraments, the seven days of the creation and, well, the seven deadly sins, too, he chuckles
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Rao's Seafood Salad.
Feast of the Seven Fishes traditionally consists of seven different seafood dishes eaten on Christmas Eve. At Raos a famous NYC eatery's Las Vegas Caesars Palace location, the Italian tradition continues with three courses served on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
The Vigilia di Natale, as its known, features a choice of appetizer, pasta and entree for $65. Heres a look at what you can get.
For an appetizer, choose from baked Little Neck clams stuffed with seasoned bread crumbs; deep-fried calamari, shrimp, cod and julienne zucchini with remoulade and marinara sauce; a seafood salad made with crab, shrimp, calamari and lobster along with diced celery, Gaeta olives and parsley in a citronette; Baccalla salad made with salted cod tossed with sweet cherry peppers, capers and olives in a lemon dressing; or octopus salad with celery, fingerling potatoes and octopus tossed in a warm lemon vinaigrette.
For the pasta dish, you have three choices linguine and clams tossed with garlic, white wine and parsley and topped with tomatoes; lobster Fra Divolo in a spicy marinara sauce or Tagliolini Fruiti Di Mare with a mix of clams, mussels, calamari, scallops and shrimp in a light tomato sauce.
As an entree, choose from shrimp scampi, shrimp Fra Diavolo, fillet of sole Francaise with sautéed fennel in a white wine and butter sauce and salmon Beurre Blanc over sautéed spinach.
Raos is located at Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S. For reservations, call 702-731-7110.
Tonights dinner is a big pot of New England Clam Chowder, a large Cesear Salad, and a big loaf of crusty bread. A meat tray of Italian and Spanish cured meats and cheeses to start, along with a nice bottle or two of red wine.
Dessert is a fresh Meyer Lemon Meringue pie.
Family coming tonight.
Tomorrows dinner is rack of lamb with roasted potatoes. Thats just for me and Mrs L.
Then a wee dram of some 14 year old Scotch and a fine cigar.
Merry Christmas to all.
L
We are having lots of pick food ‘Christmas Eve’...grand cheese boards, veggie dips, shrimp and the like...
Christmas Day we’re having a Gigantic Breakfast Brunch......in the evening it’s PIZZA!.....Nobody wants to slave over a big dinner this year....It’s a change but what everyone wants this year.
Sounds like a fantastic idea
It is a tradition that is being extended as my grand children loved it and while they don't live near the burg, want to come back next year and enjoy it again.
Merry Christmas to all FReepers, with a special thanks to Jimbo and Salena.
Why choose, I’ll have them all ; )
It is currently simmering on the stove, and except for the occasional stir, and a little stealing from the pot by me, it will be ready for dinner tonight.
We’ll see how it goes but we’re all fine with toning down the food prep etc. I’m taking some Shrimp and cookies....no doubt there will plenty to eat.....I love pick food so I’ll be a very happy camper!
Speaking of which...need to get things ready so I’m off for now!
The Pittsburgh ‘Strip” is a fabulous and fun place to poke around and enjoy. A giant food fair! I go there at least once a year or so....
I’ve got my yeast proofing to make dough right now. I’m going to make the traditional Christmas Eve Fritelle.
Then later, we all have birthday ice cream cake :)
Ping to post 2!
Another successful Christmas Eve Seven Fishes Dinner (we have more, since shellfish don’t count, lol). It’s funny, even though half who come don’t celebrate any other holidays, this is the one they celebrate and make sure they come for Christmas Eve. It’s really our family holiday none will miss.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.