It’s the day before Christmas Eve, and because of matters of mental health I’ve just now begun thinking about Christmas Eve dinner. Traditionally at our house it’s the big fish dinner, but this year it’s gonna be not so big. I’ve decided on improvisations on classics such as pizza di scarola, this one Frenchified with comté and Niçoise olives, because, well, they’re what I’ve got in the fridge. And—I can hardly believe this—I’m making only one fish dish. But it’s bucatini with clams, the king of Christmas Eve fish offerings. This year I’m going to add thyme, a touch of Pimenton de la Vera, to give it a smoky edge, and, I think, roasted yellow cherry tomatoes. I can’t skip the Sicilian blood orange and fennel salad, so that’ll be in its rightful place. And for the grand finale, I’ll be making my stupidly easy crustless ricotta cake flavored with orange flower water. For me that beautiful essence is the aroma of Christmas.
Okay, so I’m knocking this thing out, a little edgy, probably a Xanax or two added to the mix, but it’s all going to be fine. As my friend Barbara says, “Just light a lot of candles. Then no one can see the dust.” So true.
Merry Christmas to all my wonderful and faithful readers. I know you’re all cooking up something nice, no matter what your mental state. Because that’s what we cooks do.
Erica De Mane 
And to you, too! Cara Erica. Happy Christmas. I will also cook spaghetti (I am more traditional! ) alle vongole eand the orange and fennel salad. Our best wishes of a Healthy and Happy 2017!
Oh, that’s so nice Beatrice. We’ll be making some of the same things. Did you notice your bottle of colatura next to my black board menu? I’m using it in my pizza di scarola. Merry Christmas to you.
Buon natale. Pesci on Earth! Auguri.
Mark, And to you too. Have a lovely Christmas.
Enjoy your “new” menu…the bucatini sounds fabulous and how can it be Christmas without an blood oranges anyway? Wishing you and your family a lovely Christmas and a New Year filled with much joy and many blessings!
Hey, thanks, Phyllis. And to you too. Have a great time. So grateful for your readership over the years. It means a lot to me. Erica Assunta