Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year somerville kitchen style @ the kitchen

Preparation was simple - a trip to Meinhardt (3002 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC) provided all that is needed for the celebration.

A random selection of unique cheeses, ready-made foods, breads, vegetables, cold cuts were thrown in the shopping basket with no real plan; just fun food to celebrate with.



The fire got going and the night began with cracking different nuts; portraying breaking all the nasty types and events that crossed our lives in 2011.

Then, five different platters showed up over the next five hours - each representing a reflection of the year to come.

Platter 1 - a mini picnic as an offer of all the little and not-so-little meals we will eat everyday that we should be thankful for.

Triple cream Brie (to die for) and Camembert, settled on top of raisin bread spread with a sweet light fig "salsa" and topped with hazel nuts.

Platter 2 - a moveable feast reflecting continued prosperity and adventurous food from one year to another.

Cold roast beef cuts with German mustard and Iranian fruit chutney, along with Italian artichoke hearts, French cheese and local baguette.



The moveable feast concept was adapted to cooking hot dogs in the fireplace...

... and offering Cats some gnocchi vegetarian salad as he joined in the celebration in his new fancy box.

Platter 3 - Fish to help us with closer connection to spirituality in the new year.

Those were the most delicious cod potato cakes (highly recommended if you are at Meinhardt); served with a light dip that came with it.

Fish cakes were accompanied by a wonderful quinoa salad.

Platter 4 - the meat and potato to make sure we stick to basics and practicalities in the year(s) ahead.

Meatballs with basil and parmesan cheese, oregano chicken wings and a traditional potato salad; all with that special Meinhardt touch.




Food from every platter was eaten on different paper plates. After each course, each person around the fire had to throw their plate in the fire; but only after transposing to it (and articulating) the parts of 2011 one wanted to burn away. After 4 such offerings, all felt liberated and extremely optimistic about the year to come.

 

Platter 5 - a sweets platter reflecting all the sweetness of life to be grateful for and aspiration for more to come in the new year.

Christmas cakes, stollen, ginger cookies and butter squares accompanied the St. Regis Reserve, but alcohol-free, Champagne (yes, those exist and are very authentic tasting).

Wishing all humans and animals happy new year, the party moved to the street with fire crackers, champagne and neighbourly cheers.


Happy New Year everyone!