La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
San Geraldo’s undergraduate degree was in Russian Studies. I think he chose that major simply to be rebellious. But he did find it all very interesting. His graduate degree was not in Russian Studies, but he helped pay his way through grad school catering Russian dinners for small private parties.
SG decided to make a Slavic (as opposed to Russian) dinner for Christmas Eve including many of the dishes he used to serve. Our friends Tynan and Elena, their adult children, Alexander and Paula, and Elena’s sister Isa (also our friend) joined us. Although he said he would keep it simple and casual, it was not simple. He did make an effort to be more casual than usual, however.
SG likes to explain that proper etiquette requires your vodka glass is never empty. And never full. Which means (in case you missed it) you’re always drinking. That was no problem. He made three infused vodkas which were a huge hit. I had five shots! One shot is my limit. After SG poured our first shots, Isa managed the decanters. No one was driving.
As you can see from the photo above, Dudo was ready before we had even finished setting the table. But, in the end, he behaved.
There were pickled mushrooms; marinated red peppers; pickled cherries; dried beef; poor man’s caviar; a selection of cheeses; four different kinds of bread (including fresh pumpernickel); kulebiak (which is like beef Wellington but with salmon instead of beef); wine and beer. And vodka infusions! Simple!
La licenciatura de San Geraldo fue en Estudios Rusos. Creo que eligió esa especialidad simplemente por ser rebelde. Pero todo le pareció muy interesante. Su título de posgrado no fue en Estudios Rusos, pero ayudó a pagar sus estudios de posgrado preparando cenas rusas para pequeñas fiestas privadas.
SG decidió preparar una cena eslava (a diferencia de la rusa) para Nochebuena que incluyera muchos de los platos que solía servir. Nuestros amigos Tynan y Elena, sus hijos adultos, Alexander y Paula, y la hermana de Elena, Isa (también nuestra amiga), se unieron a nosotros para una cena sencilla. Aunque dijo que lo mantendría simple e informal, no fue simple. Sin embargo, hizo un esfuerzo por ser más informal de lo habitual.
A SG le gusta explicar que la etiqueta adecuada requiere que el vaso de vodka nunca esté vacío. Y nunca lleno. Lo que significa (en caso de que te lo hayas perdido) que siempre estás bebiendo. Eso no fue ningún problema. Hizo tres vodkas infusionados que fueron un gran éxito. ¡Tuve cinco disparos! Un disparo es mi límite. Después de que SG sirvió nuestros primeros tragos, Isa se encargó de las licoreras. Nadie conducía.
Como puede ver en la foto de arriba, Dudo estaba listo incluso antes de que termináramos de poner la mesa. Pero al final se portó bien.
Había champiñones encurtidos; pimientos rojos marinados; cerezas en escabeche; carne seca; caviar de pobre; una selección de quesos; cuatro tipos diferentes de pan; vino y cerveza. ¡Y infusiones de vodka! ¡Simple!
• San Geraldo parece que estuviera bailando flamenco.
• Ensalada Olivier (en qué se basa la ensaladilla rusa, pero mucho mejor).
• Kulebiak (como Solomillo Wellington, pero con salmón en lugar de ternera).
• El kulebiak antes de ser envuelto en masa y metido en el horno.
• Con salsa de fresas.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
Looks like fun, Merry Christmas!
David:
It was uplifting. (See you soon!)
Good time had by all by the looks of it! A++ to SJ!! and of course to you, Mitchell!
Merry Christmas!
Jim:
The feast was unbelievable and the company is always relaxed with lots of laughter.
…and that’s just ONE meal! Jx
PS: Hi, Alexander..!
Jon:
Yeah, Alexander is all that! And one of the warmest and kindest people we know.
Jon:
Thankfully, we turned it into three for ourselves and an extra one for Tynan and Elena, too.
Wow! What a feast! Merry Christmas!
mcpersonalspace54:
It was truly exceptional. SG is a wonder.
Looks like a spectacular meal! Knowing that you’re not usually a drinker, I’m impressed you had five shots of vodka. As you said, though, no one was driving! Here’s to a happy, healthy 2024!
Steve:
Interestingly, I never even felt tipsy nor did I have a hangover. Supposedly to do with all the food (and bread and butter), but I won’t be doing that again!
SG is a master chef! Complete with movie star looks.. Merry Christmas everyone, it looks wonderful.
Anonymous:
I agree with you about SG! Thanks!
Magnificent! What a joy to have friends and family together with you on Christmas/Christmas Eve. SG… what a treasure he is 🙂
Judy C:
Yes, he is a treasure. And these friends make celebrations so much fun every time.
Oh my GAWD, what a feast! Everything looks so delicious and special. I had my usual eggnog ‘n rum last night on Christmas Eve but I’m getting tired of it as a tradition. I think next year, I’ll try infusing some vodka — the cranberry/orange peel/cinnamon stick combo in your last post’s photo calls to me. Merry Christmas to Dudo and Moose (and oh yeah, to you guys too)!
Debra:
I can’t believe I’m even thinking this but eggnog and rum sure sounds good! I’ll share the vodka infusion recipes on an upcoming blog post.
What a spread! I’m intrigued by the pickled cherries and want to know what goes in the “caviar”.
Kelly:
I’ll start sharing some of the recipes! The meal was unbelievable. I loved every single dish.
Ha! I see you in the mirror!
Merry Christmas, Mitchell.
Kirk:
Yes! The only shot of me. Merry Christmas to you too!
What a lovely, lovely gathering! And that meal! What terrific hosts you and SG are and I know that everyone came away from your table has happy and full and content as anyone can be.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
It was an exceptional night. SG had his meltdowns in the afternoon!
I am so hungry! Everything looks interestingly delicious.
Frank:
The food was so good and the company was so much fun. We’ve got very few leftovers after our two meals yesterday.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is quite the Christmas Feast! San Geraldo knocked himself out.
I’ve added Alexander to next year’s Christmas list……
Mistress Borghese:
SG DID knock himself it. It was amazing. Impossible not to love Alexander. And he wasn’t even at his best. He broke his jaw and it’s wired shut! He knew he couldn’t eat (I had a protein shake in the fridge) but he came along anyway and blessed us with his charming presence.
Everything looks wonderful and delicious! What a labor of love by SG.
I’m sure it’s already tomorrow in Spain, but Merry, Merry Christmas to you, SG, Dude, and Moose.
Jennifer
Jennifer:
Still Christmas here until the Three Kings arrive! That’s traditionally when Christmas presents are exchanged. (The Kings deliver the gifts.)
What an incredible dinner, it looks so very good. SG is a great chef.
Laurent:
SG IS a great chef and he always gets carried away.
It all looks scrumptious! And fun!
Walt the Fourth:
I loved every single dish, which is rare for me. Everyone enjoyed the meal… and the company.
Looks like SG’s Slavic Supper was a huge success and enjoyed by all….. except Dudo, who probably wanted the kulebiak all to himself, LOL! Those pickled cherries look yummy too…
Tundra Bunny,
I’m not usually a pickled person, but these were exceptional. Dudo would have preferred having the HOUSE to himself. He finally came out again near the end of the meal… and it was probably when the kulebiak was brought out!
Time for you to put your visage front and center more often! 😉
Ron,
So glad I got my reflection. I’ve become one of those photographers who never gets in the picture.
Maybe it’s time to let yourself “go”
Ron:
Maybe it is.
SG was dancing flamenco or he was headed toward smelling his underarm because he was worried his deoderant had give up after all that cooking. What a good looking, congenial group you had. After the vodka got started, I wouldn’t have been able to walk.
Love,
Janie
Janiejunebug,
That’s exactly what I thought about the armpits. I think he was simply wiping sweat from his brow. I don’t understand why I didn’t get tipsy. SG said it was the bread and butter. Another Slavic tradition with vodka.