The Best Holiday Recipe

For me, the best holiday recipe includes people I care about, patience, kindness, a little spice and loads of goodness. Mixed with family baking and cooking traditions, this recipe is best when served with a genuine desire to bring everyone together around love and laughter.

What is your holiday baking, roasting, braising (and so on) tradition?

Mine is to roast a sirloin of beef and eat it with a generous dollop of horseradish sauce. For two years in a row, I made the sauce...and forgot it. With my immediate Southern family (husband, children and grandchildren) we usually gather at the oldest daughter's house, and I usually bring the roast beef and horseradish sauce. Somehow, during those two years, my list did not serve me well. Last year I remembered and delivered the horseradish sauce. Applause all around!

My Greek origins and family traditions are mostly wrapped up in baking--lots and lots of baking: Kourabiethes, Karithopita, Kolokithopita, Baklava, Thiples, Galaktoboureko, Skaltsounakia, Koulourakia...and more. I cannot remember what came before the pastries and sweets at our Greek holiday table, but I do remember the pastries and sweets.

I'd love to know that you are continuing your family's traditions. Will you share them with me?