Yesterday I spoke to my sister Adriana in Venezuela. I miss my family so much this year that I’m dreaming about the last time we spent Christmas together. We had a grand Christmas dinner and I was in heaven.

My mother and sister made 300 hallacas for family and friends. The fillings depend on who’s making them, but hallacas are usually seasoned pork or chicken, with vegetables and masa, wrapped in banana leaves. Pan de jamon, literally means “bread and ham,” but it’s actually a brioche-style bread rolled around good ham, with raisons, capers and cheese, and tastes a million times greater than it sounds. And ronsito is a 25-year-old rum called Pampero Aniversario, Venezuela’s best.

A traditional Venezuelan Christmas requires all three, which is why they came to mind these days.

I remembered that my friend Roselby worked with a Venezuelan woman named Rafaela who made pan de jamon and hallacas, and I’d had them before. They’re really delicious. So off I went and placed my order. The ronsito is for another time.

Thanks to her I’m going to have a little bit of Venezuela with me this Christmas.

I will be spending it with my beautiful wife, Stephanie, and her parents, Messalina and Lodovico.

Gracias Señora Rafaela. Que Dios me la vendiga a usted y su familia.
[Thank you so much Rafaela. May God bless you and your family.]

Wishing everyone love, joy, peace and laughter

Yours truly,

Carlos

Feliz Navidad

PS: Steve and Zena, all the best good luck in Miami

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