Happy Holidays Blissful Reindeer!

Today I will not bombard you with anything more than images of a beautiful few days of holiday dining with our dear friends from Southern Italy.

As the four of us were fish out of water this Christmas we decided to celebrate together this important holiday; and around this house that means with great food and vino.

Laura Giordano was our guest chef and she along with her partner Antonello Losito own and operate The Cooking School La Cucina at Gelso Bianco in Puglia, Italy. Laura also authors the blog A Pinch of Italy.

Please enjoy the photos (and a slideshow) from a few blissful days.

The Apps - A selection of world cheeses and artisan condiments along with some lovely Riesling as well as Juliet's special holiday Chex Mix

The First Course (La Pasta)

Laura made from scratch a famous pasta from Sardinia called Zapuletas. These round discs of yummy were served with a rich mushroom sauce and were just amazing.

The Main Course - Dry-Aged Colorado Beef Tenderloin butter seared and seasoned with I Profumi di Chianti (a seriously seasoned salt from Panzano) and black pepper from Phu Quoc Island Vietnam. Some russet and sweet potatoes au-gratin along with an asparagus salad.

Dessert - These little Bigne' (cream puffs) came in vanilla, cinnamon, and amazing chocolate. The flavors took me right back to Rome in 1992.

The Wines- My last bottles of Koehler-Ruprect Riesling Kabinett and 2003 Run Rig. I had held on to the RR since my days at TTR. It is still the finest wine made in Australia IMO.

The Next Two Days - Laura and Antonello gave us an amazing Staub dutch oven for Xmas and I used it to make Ragu' della Carne Misto which was mostly wild boar and we devoured it along with a 2006 Brunello di Montalcino. Juliet rocked out a Pumpkin bread and we must have gained 5+ pounds over the weekend.