These days I'm trying to explain what is happening in the family environment when such important dates arrive. Specifically when facing the Christmas menu. On occasions I have written with nostalgia about elements and traditions such as stew, truffled turkey, pilota dolça de nadal, nougat... you know, things that mortals like or that arouse curiosity in little people, so they make them their own and are encouraged to share with loved ones.
Well, it seems to me that this is over because we are irremediably facing the extinction of the species, or at least the disappearance of a good part of it, the most selfless, the one that cooked on Christmas Eve and Christmas. The disaster was looming but we paid no attention. We thought that mothers and grandmothers, without being eternal, were going to download their culinary wisdom on someone, but unfortunately that has not happened. No one has picked up the baton with joy. Those who assume the responsibility of making the Christmas menu because there is no other choice, do so reluctantly or by asking for the collaboration of those around them, assuming they want to be together in harmony singing carols and hugging. The family is really not like that, there is a lot of misery in every house. For many these days are a pain in the ass where quarrels, inheritances and brothers-in-law make the evening of Saint Job himself bitter.
The truth is that after the pandemic, the demand for reservations in restaurants began to rise on December 25, January 1 and 6, but this year it has been exaggerated, they can't keep up, they are full. The president of CONHOSTUR, Manuel Espinar, told me that they are requesting reservations even for Christmas Eve, but at the moment their stores are not open that day, perhaps in the future, he pointed out. We are talking about tables for entire families, from 14 to 30 people. Along the same lines, Federico López, from the Gómez group: “Since June we have had the restaurant full for Christmas Day. “Families already make reservations for us from one year to the next.”
What's happening? Well, nobody wants to mess up. If we think with a cool head and without nonsense, go to a table set for an average cover between 45-80 euros in nice to very nice places, with good service, where you have 5 starters, quality meats and seafood, dessert, drink, coffee, cava and nougat, well it's not bad at all. The only drawback I find is that you have to ask the family what they are going to eat for the main dish, meat or fish? as in business dinners, basically to avoid breaking the restaurant's stock. Although they are expensive products, by making a good noise the business is served. Furthermore, we do not dirty anything at home and we do not abuse the hospitality of our elders. I also know of popular bars, like Tahona de Celia in my neighborhood where you can get a putxero, some cheeks or an arròs en fesols i naps to enjoy with your loved ones for a modest price. It's all about talking.
On the other hand, there are the prepared dishes, starting with El Corte Inglés with 40 years of experience and more than 500 chefs on staff, to the takeaway bar on the corner, during these days they offer lamb shoulders, roast suckling pig, rostis, truffled chickens... preparations typical of medieval splendor, impossible to reproduce at home. Among other things, due to the inability of people in kitchens, who despite being well equipped, only know how to use the microwave, and if there is a real oven, it is to heat prefabricated pizzas from Casa Tarradellas.
Don't get carried away by what's easy. Cooking for your loved ones is the greatest show of love that exists in the world, so yes, have a first aid kit and fire extinguisher on hand.
