A Branecki Family Christmas Eve

On the first day of Christmas,
my family sent to me
Oplatki 'round the dinner table.

On the second day of Christmas,
my family sent to me
Two inches of snow,
And oplatki 'round the dinner table.

On the third day of Christmas,
my family sent to me
Three kinds of pierogi,
Two inches of snow,
And oplatki 'round the dinner table. 

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my family sent to me
Four drunk aunts,
Three kinds of pierogi,

Two inches of snow,

And oplatki 'round the dinner table.

On the fifth day of Christmas,

my family sent to me

Five golden cookies,

Four drunk aunts,

Three kinds of pierogi,

Two inches of snow,

And oplatki 'round the dinner table.

On the sixth day of Christmas,

my family sent to me

Six puppy ears,

Five golden cookies,

Four drunk aunts,

Three kinds of pierogi,

Two inches of snow,

And oplatki 'round the dinner table.

On the seventh day of Christmas,

my family sent to me

Seven presents to open,

Six puppy ears,

Five golden cookies,

Four drunk aunts,

Three kinds of pierogi,

Two inches of snow,

And oplatki 'round the dinner table.

On the eighth day of Christmas,

my family sent to me

Eight extra pounds,

Seven presents to open,

Six puppy ears,

Five golden cookies,

Four drunk aunts,

Three kinds of pierogi,

Two inches of snow,

And oplatki 'round the dinner table.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my family sent to me
Nine grandchildren,
Eight extra pounds,
Seven presents to open,
Six puppy ears,
Five golden cookies,
Four drunk aunts,
Three kinds of pierogi,
Two inches of snow,
And oplatki 'round the dinner table.

On the tenth day of Christmas,

my family sent to me

Ten quarts of soup,

Nine grandchildren,

Eight extra pounds,

Seven presents to open,

Six puppy ears,

Five golden cookies,

Four drunk aunts,

Three kinds of pierogi,

Two inches of snow,

And oplatki 'round the dinner table.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,

my family sent to me

Eleven Christmas carols,

Ten quarts of soup,

Nine grandchildren,

Eight extra pounds,

Seven presents to open,

Six puppy ears,

Five golden cookies,

Four drunk aunts,

Three kinds of pierogi,

Two inches of snow,

And oplatki 'round the dinner table.

 

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my family sent to me

Twelve ingredient mussels,

Eleven Christmas carols,

Ten quarts of soup,

Nine grandchildren,

Eight extra pounds,

Seven presents to open,

Six puppy ears,

Five golden cookies,

Four drunk aunts,

Three kinds of pierogi,

Two inches of snow,

And oplatki 'round the dinner table.

 

Mussels in White Wine

from Barefoot in Paris by Ina Garten

4 lbs mussels (cleaned and debearded)

1 t saffron threads

4 T butter

2 T olive oil

1 C chopped shallots

1/4 C chopped garlic

1 C chopped canned tomatoes, with juice

1/3 C chopped parsley

6 sprigs fresh thyme

1 1/2 C good white wine

2 t salt, or to taste

1 t fresh ground pepper

Soak the saffron in 1/4 C of warm tap water for 15 minutes.

In a large nonaluminum stockpot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat.

Add the shallots and cook for 5 minutes; then add the garlic and cook for 3 minutes more, or until the shallots are translucent.

Add the saffron with the soaking water, the tomatoes, parsly, thyme, wine, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.

Add the mussels, stir well, then cover the pot, and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until all the mussels are opened (discard any that do not open). With the lid on, shake the pot once or twice to be sure the mussels don't burn on the bottom. Pour the mussels into a large bowl and serve hot with crusty bread. Alternatively, serve over pasta.