This month’s dinner was all about celebrating the beginning of winter. For me winter is about comfort and warmth, hearty dishes, earthy ingredients, root vegetables and citrus fruits. I came up with a menu which attempts to reach all these sensations. Six courses were planned and two more were surprise dishes, as well as fresh home-made bread with condiments, warm cocktail and sweet treats to finish the meal with.

Start the meal with a winter cocktail to warm up: warm Chai full of spices and rum decorated with lemon zest twist.

Home made Bread: country sourdough with raisins and cashews, whole wheat sourdough with flax and sunflower seeds

What’s a winter without a soup? Dual layer onion soup: classic veal stock and white wine onion soup on top of caramelized onion cream. Served with parmesan foam and grilled country bread toast with parmesan, a slice of onion and thyme.

Little surprise between the dishes: bruschetta of guacamole, arugula and a home-made cured sirloin with four spices and fresh aromatic bergamot zest.

Pomelo, “caviar” black lentils and bacon confit salad with citrus vinaigrette, herb and nuts yogurt, Kadaif basket and grilled Jerusalem artichoke.

Winter Candies: spiral of red cabbage and ginger sauce, salmon semi cooked, fennel and Arak marmalade, roasted beet cubes, butter glazed turnips, pickled daikon with black sesame, thin slices of radishes and black radish.

Another surprise dish: Home made Ricotta Fresca, Za’atar olive oil, roasted hazelnuts, scallions and fresh leaf of Za’atar.
![[Non seafood version dish] Fresh pasta sheets, beurre blanc and sage sauce, Turkish spinach, lemon confit, garlic confit and baby red mullet fried in semolina flour.](https://www.eatingcookingfooding.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/11-IMG_0111-494x329.jpg)
[Non seafood version dish] Fresh pasta sheets, beurre blanc and sage sauce, Turkish spinach, lemon confit, garlic confit and baby red mullet fried in semolina flour.

Fresh pasta sheets, garlic and olive oil squid, beurre blanc and sage sauce, Turkish spinach, lemon confit and garlic confit.
![["Kosher" version with no butter] Slow-cooked veal cheek, roasted Jerusalem artichoke, Bone marrow and parsley.](https://www.eatingcookingfooding.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/13-IMG_0136-494x329.jpg)
[“Kosher” version with no butter] Slow-cooked veal cheek, roasted Jerusalem artichoke, Bone marrow and parsley.
![[Vegetarian version] "Liege" waffle topped with pear poached in red wine and melted three types of cheese, orange vegetables and roasted cashew.](https://www.eatingcookingfooding.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/15-IMG_0143-494x329.jpg)
[Vegetarian version] “Liege” waffle topped with pear poached in red wine and melted three types of cheese, orange vegetables and roasted cashew.

Citrus Pavlova: meringue basket, mandarin,soup, Lemon curd, white chocolate mousse, orange and grapefruit filet.

Candy plate: Light Fudge with dried currants and dark chocolate with brandy; Dragon fruit slice; candied citrus peel chocolate coated.
A big THANK YOU deserve to: Nachman, Barak, Noa, Tova, Rafi, Yael, Ravit, Dror.
Check out some more pictures in our Facebook Page (don’t forget to LIKE us!):
January Secret Kitchen – Guests
January Secret Kitchen – Dishes
January Secret Kitchen – Behind The Scenes