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This week it's a look at the holidays past and present with Chef Grant Achatz. He's garnered every award out there, including Best Chef of 2008, for the stunningly delicious and intimate food he serves at Alinea, his Chicago restaurant. His beautiful new book, appropriately titled Alinea, is a look at the creative process behind this remarkable young man and his food.

For Jane and Michael Stern, it's an old-fashioned Yankee Christmas Eve at the Silvermine Tavern in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Improv cook Sally Schneider has the how-to for lush homemade chocolates, and mixologist Dale DeGroff talks the light and easy cocktail. His book is The Essential Cocktail: The Art of Mixing Perfect Drinks.

Elegant and impressive treats once thought too daunting are now yours to make quickly and easily at home thanks to Martha Holmberg and her new book titled Puff: 50 Flaky, Crunchy, Delicious Appetizers, Entrees, and Desserts Made with Puff Pastry.

Recipes

Lynne's Simple Italian Christmas Eve Supper

In the spirit of childhood memories of home-style holiday food, here is my menu for a simple Italian Christmas Eve supper.

• Olives Salted Almonds
• Antipasto Salad of Shrimp with Curly Endive
• Pasta of Steamed Mussels with Tomato and Capers
• Country Whole Wheat Bread
• White Tocai from Friuli or Soave Riserva or Red Barbera or Ripasso di Valpolicella
• Pannetone and Biscotti (store bought) with Slices of Fresh Cheese
• Espresso

Seriously Good Improvisational Chocolates

Shards of chocolate embedded with surprising flavors and crunchy elements make terrific gifts for much less than pricey "artisan-made" chocolates. Get the full recipe

Pero Frizzante

This drink, created for the Italian restaurant Morandi, was designed to not overpower the delicate flavors of the food served there. Get the full recipe

Ham, Gruyère, and Dijon Palmiers

These hors d'oeuvres are flaky, chewy, and impossibly good with a chilled glass of Riesling. Get the full recipe

Features

Jane & Michael Stern: Silvermine Tavern and the Smith House, Norwalk, CT

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When the Sterns want to get into the holiday spirit they head to an old-fashioned country inn, and one of their favorites, the Silvermine Tavern, isn't far from their Connecticut home. The place is famous for its Sunday brunch and the little honey buns Michael loves. It's a classic New England country inn loaded with charm, creaky floors, glowing fireplaces and views of a beautiful pond. It's decorated to the hilt for the holidays and the Christmas Eve buffet is grand.

The Smith House in Dahlonega, Georgia is another favorite. It's one of the great Southern boarding houses where classic dishes of the deep south like fried chicken, baked ham and pot roast are served family style from big bowls and platters passed at the table.

Silvermine Tavern
194 Perry Avenue
Norwalk, CT
203-847-4558
www.silverminetavern.com

Smith House
845 Chestatee Street
Dahlonega, GA
706-867-7000
www.smithhouse.com

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