My Favorite Christmas Eve Tradition

I started a tradition on Christmas Eve with my family about 8 years ago and it's something I look forward to every year! 

It's called the Feast of the 7 Fishes. If you're Italian, you are probably familiar with it because its a fairly popular tradition in the Italian culture.

Essentially, the Feast of the 7 Fishes consists of having 7 different "fish dishes" on Christmas Eve. Anything goes as long as you have 7 different fishes in the meal.

We've done several different themes over the years. If this is a tradition you would like to try, here's some suggestions.

1. A sushi bar. It's pretty easy to get different types of fishes when consuming sushi. Challenge your taste buds and try some sushi rolls you wouldn't normally try. Remember you have to get 7 different fishes in the dinner spread. The best part about this idea is that it's hassle free. Pick up your dinner at your favorite sushi restaurant and you're done!

2. Cioppino: This is one of my favorite soups in the whole world! It's got shrimp, clams, scallops, etc. etc. and it is oh so good! Plus, I love a one pot meal. This has been a hit every time I've made it on Christmas Eve and it makes great leftovers. This Video shows you exactly how to make it.

3. Seafood pasta bar: This one works great if you have kids or people who don't like fish so much. They can just eat the pasta and perhaps you can make a simple marinara sauce for the picky eaters. Otherwise you can make clam sauce, shrimp scampi over linguine, and a seafood medley sauce.

From my family to yours, I hope you take this tradition into your home and make it your own!