Christmas Eve in Paris: Dinner Ideas

Christmas Eve dinners in my household growing up were always fairly simple because we celebrated the holiday on Christmas Day with presents and the big family dinner of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Traditions changed when I married a Frenchman and spent the first of many Christmas’ in Paris. My first trip abroad and away from my family, I was excited, yet melancholy, homesick and longing for the familiarity of my family Christmas celebration. The exciting unknown awaited with a holiday filled with my newest family members.

Traditionally in my husbands’ family, Christmas Eve is celebrated by long walks throughout the city to enjoy unbelievable holiday displays at the Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps followed by a lovely coffee at a corner cafe so that one could stay up very late at night. A walking tour of the Champs Elysee was also called for, raining or not. Suitably exercised and with appetites teased with every passing step, it was time to meander our way home to what can only be described as a gastronomical delight! Commencing with a lovely Kir Royale (champagne with liquor) in front of the fire, we adjourned to the dining room for the family feast.

My mother in law had started the day by cutting fresh vegetables, preparing the sauce for raw oysters, stuffing the escargots (yes they’re great!) and preparing the turkey. In a large pressure cooker, she heated olive oil up with onion and garlic and browned the turkey. Then she took the turkey out and replaced it with the giblets and fresh cut carrots, celery, turnip, spices and one potato. After turning a lovely brown color, she added the turkey back into the mix and filled the cooker with half water, half champagne! She closed it all up and let the pressure cooker work its magic. After only about an hour, she removed the meat to let it set and finish cooking and pureed every remaining thing in the pressure cooker while adding a few spices. Giblets, vegetables, drippings and champagne all blended to a frothy, faultless sauce for a taste that could only be described as perfection.

With good wine to accompany this wonderful family tradition, the meal lasted hours yet the tastes linger in memory forever. More importantly, this was my first of many holidays over in Paris, the city of light and life. Even though there was trepidation about being away from home, this was the first time I realized that there really are homes away from home and also that home is where the heart is. Christmas in Paris is extraordinary, an experience I hope many can enjoy, for it is one that to this day, brings warmth to my heart and satisfaction to my soul.