A NEW TRADITION

Nora Osbaldeston, Leslie S. and Abby Smith - blog followers!!

Big family gatherings over dinner on Christmas Eve, a long walk with the dogs after opening Christmas presents and brunch on Christmas day, a cross-country ski if the snow co-operates, friends dropping in for a visit, the boxing day road hockey game and of course food, food, food!! We were thrilled to introduce a new Christmas day tradition this year – reviewing the Gathering Around the Grill blog. We are willing to do anything for a laugh.

It has been so much fun to have all of the kids ( ??are they still kids when their ages range from 19-25??) home for the holidays. Teddy W.won the prize for the most grueling trip home. After thousands of flights were cancelled in Europe due to bad weather, Teddy persevered through 2 arduous days of waiting in line-up after line-up  to finally arrive home in K-W from Berlin. Now that is the hard way of getting into the good books with your mother (but so much appreciated!).

 All good things must come to an end of course; Teddy and Charlie W. have already left  for Europe and the UK and Ben S. is leaving tomorrow to visit Elaine’s family in the west.  So as we wind things down towards New Years, we are recommending that you continue to take the time to enjoy your families, as we are. 

Continuing with the theme of enjoying your family and friends, why not plan on hosting a small gathering for New Years?  Go out afterward for a midnight ski, or fireworks celebration. There is no better way to start the new year than with some fresh air and exercise. That is part of our tradition, and as is usual, we will be outside at midnight this New Years Eve with our friends Bev and Tim, enjoying some new outdoors adventure.

We can suggest this nice recipe for mini lamb burgers served in mini pitas with spicy chutney, that can be assembled early in the day and quickly grilled while your family and friends help assemble a simple cheese platter, some crudités and hummus, and maybe smoked salmon on pumpernickel.  This too can be made ahead, since pumpernickel is such a hearty bread. Spread the pumpernickel squares with cream cheese and lay a piece of smoked salmon over it. Top it with diced red onions, chopped fresh dill, and sprinkle with capers. Garnish the platter with thin lemon slices and you will have a simple, beautiful, not to mention healthful appetizer to add to your festive spread.

Grilled Mini Lamb Burgers with Spicy Mango Chutney

 1 tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 tbsp cumin

1tsp cinnamon

¾ tsp ground coriander

½ tsp allspice

¼  tsp nutmeg

1 ½ tsp salt

2 lbs ground lamb

2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped

½ cup dried currants

3 tbsp toasted pine nuts

½ cup (1 piece of bread)  fresh bread crumbs, soaked in water -1 minute –squeeze out moisture

1 egg, beaten

2 packages mini pita bread

1 bottle  Pataks Major Grey Chutney

Preheat barbecue on MEDIUM-HIGH for 10 minutes. Brush the grids with vegetable oil.  Reduce heat to MEDIUM.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté the onions , until soft and translucent,  about 6 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another 2 minutes. Add cumin, cinnamon, ground coriander, nutmeg, allspice and salt and cook another minute. Cool.

Combine the ground lamb, onion mixture, mint, bread crumbs, currants, toasted pinenuts and egg.  Mix gently with hands until well blended. Form into small 1 ½ inch mini patties.  You should be able to make about 35 mini burgers from this mixture.

Grill 7-8 minutes, turning once.

Serve with mango chutney in mini pitas.

Happy New Year