THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Every man regards his own life as the New Year's Eve of time." ~ Jean Paul Richter ~ Tourtiere ________ A tourtière is a meat pie originating from Quebec , usually made with ground pork and/or veal , or beef . It is a traditional part of the Christmas and/or Christmas Eve réveillon and New Year's Eve meal in Quebec, but is also enjoyed and sold in grocery stores all year long. This kind of pie is known as pâté à la viande (literally, meat pie) in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. Tourtière is not exclusive to the Canadian province of Québec. Tourtière is a traditional French-Canadian dish served by generations of French-Canadian families throughout Canada and the bordering areas of the United States. In the U.S. Maine , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Vermont , New Hampshire , Minnesota , and New York . citizens of Québécois ancestry have introduced the recipe. Every family has their own "original" recipe, passed down through the generations. Li...

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." ~Benjamin Franklin

"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas." ~ Peg Bracken ~ 'Oldie but Goodie ' (Cyclamen) _____________________ CRANBERRY ORANGE TORTE ~ Old holiday favorite often shared as a gift for neighbors and friends ____________ 2 1/2 cups flour 2 cups sugar, divided 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts 1 cup diced pitted dates 1 cup fresh whole cranberries Grated rind of 2 oranges 2 beaten eggs 1 cup buttermilk 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1 cup fresh orange juice Whipped cream In large bowl, combine flour, one cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in walnuts, dates, cranberries and orange rind, and toss until coated and separated. In another small bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk and oil; beat well and add to dry mixture. Blend thoroughly and turn into greased and floured 10-inch bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees on hour or until cake tests done. Cool in pan until lukewarm. Invert ...

"Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right." ~ Oprah Winfrey ~ White lily _________ HOLIDAY SEAFOOD STRUDEL ~ Around for nearly 30 years, a bit labor intensive but worth the effort ( adapted from a tattered Bon Appetit -Jan/1979) ____ White sauce: 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 3 Tbsp. flour 3/4 cup milk 1 tsp. Dijon mustard pinch of coarse salt 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 2 Tbsp. heavy cream Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour to make smooth paste and heat gently, whisking constantly until roux begins to bubble. Remove from heat and add mustard, pinch of salt, and cayenne pepper. Slowly stir in milk. Over medium heat, cook stirring constantly until mixture bubbles and thickens. Add cream and taste for seasoning. Cover until ready to use. 1 cup breadcrumbs 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 tsp. dry mustard 1 - 1/1/2 lb. bite-sized cooked crab, shrimp & small scallops 1/2 lb. thawed phyllo pastry sheets 1/2 - 3/4 cup grated Swiss c...