Holly Ball 2018

It’s the last post of 2018!

Earlier this month I had a Christmas party!

Yes, Mr. Sauce and I decided to join forces and have the hap-hap-happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tapdanced with Danny Fucking Kaye.

OK, it wasn’t that. But it was our first co-party and it was a swinging shindig–with a theme–BALLS!

Yes, BALLS. Nothing was going to be served that wasn’t ball-shaped and/or could be put on a toothpick.

• Spinach Balls
• Italian Meatballs
• Celery Balls (500 Tasty Snacks–Ideas for Entertaining by the Culinary Arts Institute, 1950)
• Caprese Salad Stix
• Gruyere Cheese Balls (The Big Beautiful Book of Hors D’Oeurves by Julia Weinberg, 1980)
• Curried Meatballs (The Playboy Gourmet by Thomas Mario, 1977)
• Pizza Balls
• A big cheese ball
• Black Olives with Garlic (The New York Times Cookbook by Craig Claiborne, 1961)
• Bourbon Balls

I also had queso, because every party should have queso.

And to continue the theme, some of our guests brought balls, too! Munchkins, truffles, cream puffs, and star crunches.

Balls for everyone!

A note: the Curried Meatballs were a huge hit. The Gruyere Balls were ok, but I actually had to deep-fry, so I ain’t making those again. The Celery Balls were good in theory–but the celery made the mix too wet so the cheese balls didn’t really mold well. The Black Olives were damn good. And I’d make those anytime.

If you want any of those recipes, just ask.

Shrimp Sputnik was also especially breathtaking (it is shrimp attached with toothpicks to a sphere, so it counts as a ball food).

It was 2 pounds of shrimp on a 3 pound cabbage.

It was a real show-stopper.

Literally. It was so goddamned heavy that I had to tell people to clear a path from the kitchen to the buffet table because of its size.

OH! And I also made a punch. Because I love punch. I called it Christmas Cosmopolitan

It was cranberry juice, citrus vodka, triple-sec, Seven-Up and slices of lime. It was a giant Cosmopolitan. It featured an ice ring made with my homemade cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving.

I cannot recommend making a party punch enough. Have wine, beer, and punch. You just fill it up throughout the evening and add frozen fruit to chill it and it can be served in any type of glass.

The ball theme was rather brilliant. No cutlery, plastic or otherwise. So clean up was a breeze!

Since this was  a success, I plan on having another party next year. I can’t wait for Holly Ball 2019!

Happy New Year everyone. Brian Boitano, Margot and I hope that you and yours have a kick-ass 2019.