A holiday brunch at my house this past weekend

December 22, 2009

A holiday brunch at my house this past weekend

On Sunday, I invited friends and employees and their families to my home in Bedford for a holiday brunch. Saturday evening, as predicted, a coastal blizzard made its way slowly up the east coast, dumping many inches of snow. My surrounding area only received a few inches. However, New York City registered about eleven inches. Since many of my guests live in and around the metropolitan area, I was worried that many of those invited would not be able to attend. Thankfully, the snow was powdery and the road crews were able to clean it off quickly, making travel safe on Sunday. The brunch was fantastic and fun and I was so happy to share a little holiday cheer.

: Harper really liked the popovers.

: Yasmin enjoying some holiday candy

: Katie enjoying a hot cappuccino after coming in from the cold

: The fire in the brown room was burning nicely.

: This polar bear was greeting guests to the eggnog table.

: Holiday candy was set around the house.

: The popovers were cut in half and filled with creamed spinach and a fried egg – YUM!

: A platter of roasted potatoes, carrots, and kale – so many wonderful flavors.

: Simon Andrews and Vanessa Holden – Vanessa enjoyed the chef’s scrambled eggs served in an egg shell and topped with caviar.

: This is a platter of beautiful smoked salmon.

: One of my holiday hams from Costco was also served, glazed nicely. Also on the platter was thinly sliced fresh pineapple and buttermilk biscuits.

: Caviar was delicious!

: Brioche bread pudding

: A selection of holiday cookies made with a cookie press

: Chocolate filled sandwich cookies

: These are Dani Fiori’s cookies made on my TV show.

: The popovers were baked with a sprinkling of grated gruyere cheese.

: We used my beautiful holiday linens.

: Katie Hatch, Steve Rees, Alex Postman

: Ellen Morrissey and her daughter Nora.

: A caramel-topped wheel of Camembert

: Keven Sharkey enjoying a cup of eggnog

: Alex Postman and daughter, Nell.

: The chocolate-peppermint bark was a real hit.

: Ladling out the eggnog

: I love these gold rimmed punch cups.

: Darcy’s daughters Ella Bea (held by Yasmin) and Daisy

: Eggnog was also served in these silver cups.

: Chef David Malbequi did a superb job.

: Eliad Laskin and his wife, Katie

: Lisa Wagner with her sons Alexander and Ethan

: Susan Magrino and her husband Jim Dunning

: The bread pudding was topped with my mother’s sour lemon sauce.

: A gathering around the table in the brown room

: This is Hugo – Sticky fingers – sticky mouth

: A photographer in the making.

: Susie Ercole giving Laura Acuna a warm embrace

: My neighbor, Peter Michaels, having some fun with the eggnog foam – he came to the party wearing a chef’s coat.

: Darcy Miller and her youngest daughter, Pippa Dot

: Sanu Sherpa was very helpful in the kitchen.

: Andrew Postman and daughter, Nell

: Here I am with Raymond Haddad – he was showing me his super new 85mm lens.

: Judy Morris and her sons William and Eddie

: Harper getting walloped by a snowball – all in good fun. Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/

: Here’s the culprit, Nora. Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/

: Harper making nice with Clive. Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/

: Yasmin and Annika amused by Rutger – Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/

: Uncle Carlos provided shuttle transport from the parking area to the house. Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/