The large open concept dining room had a table set with a Waterford crystal vase full of ruby red roses and winter greenery as its centerpiece. On a white damask tablecloth, green charger plates were set for three people. The Christmas china had an emerald green border, crisp white linen napkins and lovely silverware laid out beside the plates. There were crystal goblets that would be filled with the appropriate red wine. They were big and bulbous to allow the wine to air properly. An early New Year’s Eve dinner was going to be served. Scarlett and her husband had come to visit Robyn during the Christmas holiday but would have to return home before the first of January. so celebrating the New Year with Robyn in Alabama had to come early in order to be shared together.

A wonderfully delicious meal of short ribs slow roasted in red wine with potatoes and carrots that were rough chopped so as not to disintegrate, a mixed green salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing was dinner fare. All was enjoyed with a bottle of Lindeman’s Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon which lived up to its reputation and is now one of our favorite red elixirs. Dessert, a homemade mincemeat pie, Scarlett’s favorite. But, her husband would never give that kind of pie a second look. He feared it was full of some sort of “fruity” weird meat. Tonight it would be different. He always enjoyed Robyn’s cooking and trusted her so he would give it a taste. He LOVED it! He ate two pieces right there at the table and ended up finishing half of the pie later that evening. Her presentation made it even more attractive as you can see in the photos below.

This pie is not hard to make if you follow the recipe on the jar of Nonesuch brand of mincemeat. A New Year’s Eve meal will always have to end with a slice of this pie…it is officially now a tradition with gal pals and others. If you find this brand in your grocery, buy more than one jar…it can be very hard to find.