Monday, March 24, 2008
Non-Christmas holidays in New York, for me, have typically been shared with other people’s families. Recently, I’ve spent the holidays with friends families – more specifically, Rob’s family. So for those of us not used to meals with hard-core Italian folks, it can be quite an eye-opening experience.
Just about every domesticated animal, and perhaps a few chipmunks that wandered too close to our dining room table, die for these meals that, yesterday, lasted from 1:30 to 8pm. It all started out with about 6 appetizers (there were 9 of us), then led to the first course of lasagna, meatballs and sausage. That was followed by a petite serving of a half a chicken for each of us along with stuffing, vegetables, and red wine. We were then served with the main course, ham. As if that weren’t enough, we had an ice cream cake, coconut pie, cookies, and brownies served with tea and caramel candies.
The whole experience, I have to say, was delightful. Unlike my family meals that are totally functional – everyone eating one course only to go about their ways. The nine of us sat at the table the entire time and talked about family and what’s going on in each other’s lives with sincere participation. The myriad of courses that seem over-the-top are in fact only to buy the time everyone needed to catch up and bond. In fact, during the 7.5 hour meal, nobody got up from the table except to do dishes or go to the restroom.
After a couple of these meals I have to say that Rob's family probably has the art of the family meal right.
Just about every domesticated animal, and perhaps a few chipmunks that wandered too close to our dining room table, die for these meals that, yesterday, lasted from 1:30 to 8pm. It all started out with about 6 appetizers (there were 9 of us), then led to the first course of lasagna, meatballs and sausage. That was followed by a petite serving of a half a chicken for each of us along with stuffing, vegetables, and red wine. We were then served with the main course, ham. As if that weren’t enough, we had an ice cream cake, coconut pie, cookies, and brownies served with tea and caramel candies.
The whole experience, I have to say, was delightful. Unlike my family meals that are totally functional – everyone eating one course only to go about their ways. The nine of us sat at the table the entire time and talked about family and what’s going on in each other’s lives with sincere participation. The myriad of courses that seem over-the-top are in fact only to buy the time everyone needed to catch up and bond. In fact, during the 7.5 hour meal, nobody got up from the table except to do dishes or go to the restroom.
After a couple of these meals I have to say that Rob's family probably has the art of the family meal right.
# posted by otas : 5:48 PM
