Spins On Holiday Classics

Classic recipes are always trotted out during the holidays. However that's the problem, classic could mean boring. How to make them shine with seasonal sparkle? Tweak the recipes to amp up their flavor and crowd appeal. The recipes might be age old but the variations are new and fresh.

This was the case in two articles in today's New York Times Dining section. One is Hanukkah latkes, while the other is a traditional party pate. The first piece, written by Melissa Clark ,tweaks the traditional recipe for potato pancakes. Usually they just contain shredded potatoes, onion and egg for binding, However the new one features apple which makes perfect sense. Latkes are always served with applesauce, why not just cut out the sauce and add chunks. It makes for a combination of savory and sweet blending together in one yummy treat. Ms. Clark tops them with cinnamon infused sour cream or Greek yogurt for a delicious twist.

Pate has always been a holiday party staple too. It was a treat for the guests when the host or hostess whipped up their own. However classic pate is made with chicken or goose livers which may not fly with some people. David Tanis of the section, City Kitchen, takes another approach, Why not combine three flavorful meats, in this case , Italian bacon or pancetta, chicken and pork shoulder. Grind these with garlic along with spices and a good splash of Cognac and voila - a tastier version of the traditional dish. Another plus is that this new pate is good leftover on sliced baguettes. It can also be made in smaller versions for holiday gift giving.

Traditional holiday foods are just that traditional. However , once in a while they need to be spruced up for a new generation. It's not tampering with a classic such as latkes or pate. It's improving them.