Today is the first day of the new year; it’s also my birthday and so I like to think of it as a “renaissance” in the literal sense of the word–a rebirth of sorts! As far as Cuisinicity renaissance goes, it’s hard to claim that there is anything new I could possibly say about loving food that loves you back that I haven’t already said, but I do feel that it’s a time for me to renew my commitment to all of you to stay inspired so that I can continue to inspire you in turn! For me, that means being the student, rather than the teacher, and learning from the world’s great cuisines.
Without even realizing it, one way that I think I have accomplished that over the years is to look elsewhere to different ethnic cuisines and take on their best dishes and desserts and music and decor and transport ourselves to a different country right in our own dining room!
And so it has been, every single Christmas eve, for the last 15 years, a tradition that I have instilled in my family and that they have come to expect and relish. With each culture, I find that I learned a new technique or discovered a new spice or a new ingredient or combination of flavors that I would never have thought to use and unknowingly, I have incorporated it in my own repertoire, and consequently for all of you.
Cuisinicity Renaissance from the World to Your Kitchen
Following that wonderful tradition, we have done Thai, Indian, Greek, Jamaican, Spanish, Lebanese, Portuguese, Moroccan, Brazilian, Italian, Persian, French (twice) and Turkish (twice). This is the one time out of the year that I do not share any of the actual recipes that I make. For one thing, although I always try to make them healthier Cuisinicity-style, these recipes do not belong to me, as they really are not my own creation and for another, it’s a relief not to have to write them down and explain them in teaspoons and ounces! This leaves me free to just add this and that and feel this consistency and that, and perfect this flavor or that in all abandon!
The good news for you, my loyal beloved followers, is that this Cuisinicity renaissance aspect of cooking for me is what you will find in my new recipes this year. I hope they will continue to inspire you in your own kitchen, in the heart of your home!
And so it is that I leave you with some of our delights from Turkey (but no Turkish delights!), the theme for this year’s Christmas eve, a feast filled with wholesome ingredients, filled with flavor and even more importantly, filled with love!
…and so it is that I stay inspired, I keep on dancing and cooking in my kitchen, and…. will continue to bring you more fun cuisinicity recipes this new year!
May 2017 bring you lots of joy and keep you healthy and thriving!
with all my love,
Happy belated Birthday Catherine. All the dishes look delicious. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a prosperous new year and continue to share your recipes. You inspire me on a daily basis.
Thank you Iris! WOW on a daily basis, that’s such a tall order! What a lovely thing to say! It means so much to me!! 🙂
Happy Birthday Catherine, and a Blessed, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.
A woman for all seasons! Your attention to family and friends and ardent followers (moi !) is inspiring.
We know that life would be tedious if it came in only one flavor (whether fashion, food, or travel, and so we anticipate and indulge in whats ‘in season’. And to define ‘de saison’ properly takes a book OR just faithfully follow Cuisinicity!
Warm regards,
Cheryl 🙂
You are such a poet and philosopher Cheryl! I always look forward to your beautiful and beautifully written comments! Thank you so much!! 🙂
Wow! What an amazing spread! And happy be-lated birthday Catherine! Our birthdays are almost on the same date (I’m 28th December) – aren’t we busy Capricorns in the kitchen! :))
HAHA Julie–YAY to fellow cooking and dancing capricorns!!! 🙂
Happy Birthday Catherine and a wonderful and happy New Year! You continue to be an inspiration and we continue to enjoy lots of your recipies. I frequently refer friends to your site and everbody loves you!
I do love Turkish cusine and am now again lucky enough to have a huge Turkish community here, with their yummy food, warmth and joie de vivre.
P.s. Imam Bayildi is one of my favorites
Thank you Sibylle! You are such a joy yourself! I always love it when I see your name appear in my inbox, absolutely wonderful and inspiring to me too! 🙂
Thank you, Catherine.
Happy Birthday and Happy New Year.
Your web site is such a happy place with all the goodness you share with us. Thank you for the joy you bring to all.
Continued success and warm regards. Catherine (another one)
awwwww THANK YOU SO MUCH Catherine!!! What a sweet thing to say!!! 🙂 🙂
Happy Birthday Catherine. I just love looking at your creations. Best in 2017 !!!
YAY Chris!!! Thank you so much! 🙂
Happy Belayed Birthday, I hope you celebrated YOU!
Thank you for continuing to inspire me!
You are such a sweetie Joan! thank you so much for your kind words! It means so much to me! 🙂
Thank you Catherine for working so hard to benefit so many.
You are a true inspiration in all that you do!
Thank you thank you Kristin, You are just lovely!
Happy New Year Catherine and Happy Belated Birthday Wishes.
Thank you Barbara! it’s so nice to see your name on Cuisinicity, always! 🙂
Happy Birthday and Happy New Year. Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes and expressive videos. Love your authenticity and positive attitude
Good health in the new year. Looking forward to more of your offerings.
Thank you so much Marilyn! It is such a pleasure to share with you! 🙂
Heureux Anniversaire!
Merci Joann! 🙂
Happy Birthday to you and wishes for a happy and healthy 2017 to you and yours!
Thank you so much Ruth!! And to you too! 🙂
Happy Birthday! Love your recipes. Is there any possibility that you might add nutritional info this year? That would be helpful to my weight loss clients.
Thank you Lorie! I can appreciate your request but I won’t be able to because it’s much too costly and time consuming for me to do it for all my recipes. I am doing this completely out of pocket and making no money whatsoever from this with a lot of expenses already just to keep it going for everyone. Having said that, my recipes are quite literally an open book so anyone with the right software can get them analyzed. And they are more than welcome to. So the best I can offer is from time to time if someone asks me for a specific recipe, I may do it but really, I do abide by my husband and my philosophy that if one’s diet consists of wholesome ingredients, mostly plants, lots of veggies, fruit, wholegrains beans, nuts and legumes, the way cuisinicity recipes are designed, nutrition takes care of itself!
I wrote about it here and you can always refer your clients to that post for my cuisinicity recipes:
http://cuisinicity.com/calories-in-calories-out-but-dont-obsess/
I hope this is somewhat helpful! 🙂
Catherine these dishes look so yummy and enticing I just need to see the recipes! lol. What is that sprinkled on the cookies? Is it your mother-in-law’s namesake, Anise?
HAHAHA!! No, Donna, if you are referring to the stuffed dates, it’s pistachios and almonds!! 🙂
I am quite sure you enjoyed a lovely birthday!! I feel such joy from watching your joy in everything you do!!
Thank you so much Sheila! That means the world to me! 🙂
I was lucky enough to be there for Catherine’s Turkish Christmas Eve and, as always, it was spectacular! What Catherine brings to every meal, is a sense of herself, her energy, her joy and her traditions. Meals are experiences, filled with love and laughter, great wine and culinary delights! The table is set to perfection with special touches of color and texture that bring visual excitement. The heaping plates that come, one after the other, create anticipation and ultimately provide, culinary delight. What Catherine brings back is what, I’m afraid, many of us have lost, the sense that meals are nourishing, not only for the body, but for the spirit and, for the family as a whole. So looking forward to 2017 and Catherine’s enthusiastic videos and recipes!!!
awwwww THANK YOU my mom of the heart!!! I LOVE your beautiful comment and as you know nourishing all of you, in all the ways that are essential to the heart is what keeps me inspired most of all! I love you, my Ethel!
Catherine AKA Lucy
How beautiful – both your post, Catherine, and your comments, Susan. I truly believe that nourishing meals do nourish body, mind and spirit. And I love reading and recommending your Cuisinicity blog!
Happy birthday and Happy New Year, Theresa (a fellow Lucy 🙂 <3 )
Thank you so much Theresa (my fellow Lucy!!) I am so touched to hear that! 🙂
Love this post!! Such beautiful pictures too! Happy new year momma!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, my bright sunshine, Natalia! 🙂
A very happy birthday to you!!
Thank you Anna!! 🙂