This holiday season Social Studies is partnering with LG to bring you stories of Small Gatherings, Big Moments to encourage you to take the time to set the table with sparkling clean plates, and gather with the ones you love.
Last week, Nilou encouraged us to make an epic charcuterie board and let guests gather around the kitchen table. Today she is back to show you how you can go BIG with a party of two for New Year’s Eve this year — because we think there is immense reason to celebrate that 2020 is officially over.
And the best part of Nilou’s New Year? Knowing cleanup will be a breeze thanks to her LG QuadWash™ Dishwasher with TrueSteam® to rinse her coupes and seafood towers so she can focus on the good stuff, like caviar.
Need some inspiration to go big this New Year’s Eve? Look no further than Nilou’s tips to pull off a decadent celebration at home…
1.
GO BIG, STAY HOME
“For us, New Year’s is all about dressing up and treating ourselves to some of our favorite bites at home. Nothing against a giant roast, but we’d rather snack our way through the evening. A big indulgent tin of caviar paired with crème fraîche and crispy potato chips is a must.
Oysters, too: we love briny ones from Maine (like Mookie Blues, Dodge Coves, and Bombazines). And no fête would be complete without creamy, buttery sea urchin toasts. A magnum of my favorite Frederic Savart grower champagne gets things flowing beautifully.
2. PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS
I don’t know if you’re like me, but I watch Downton Abbey for the dinner scenes. I love any opportunity to pull out my vintage silver serving pieces and antique etched-glass coupes. In the past I’ve wasted precious prep time hand washing and drying glassware—but now I don’t have to scramble. My LG QuadWash™ with TrueSteam® is gentle on delicate glassware but miraculously tough on spots. Best time-saver ever!
3. SET THE MOOD
I can’t stress the importance of lighting and music enough. Get your candles out early, and keep spares on hand if the night’s on a roll. Nothing’s more flattering and festive than a cluster of twinkly votives. Same goes for the playlist, which for us veers from Blossom Dearie to Chet Baker, and Oumou Sangare to Caetano Veloso. (Brazil will never steer you wrong.)”
The literal icing on the cake after all that champagne? Nilou’s Chocolate Cake recipe, in partnership with LG Dishwashers, to encourage everyone to gather around the table and toast to something sweet this holiday season.
Nilou Motamed’s Chocolate Cake in Partnership with LG Dishwashers with TrueSteam®
“No party is complete without dessert — and the dessert that has always been synonymous with big celebrations in our house is my mother Mahin’s decadent chocolate cake with an almost meringue-y crust. The cake has very little flour, so the velvety chocolate is really the star of the show. It goes beautifully with espresso or an herbaceous Amaro at the end of a meal. And if you happen to add a dollop of barely sweetened whipped cream, I guarantee no one will be mad about it.” - Nilou
THE INGREDIENTS
- 12 oz semi-sweet (65%) chocolate
- 6 tablespoons strong coffee or espresso
- 2 sticks of butter, cut into pieces at room temperature
- 6 extra-large eggs room temperature, seperated
- 1 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup (3 ozs) flour
THE DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350°, grease 9-inch round springform cake pan with softened butter.
- Melt chocolate & coffee. I do this in 30-second increments in the microwave but you can use a double boiler too. Set aside to cool
- Cream butter and sugar until pale
- Add egg yolks one at a time
- Fold in sifted flour
- Add cooled chocolate to mixture by hand
- In a clean bowl beat egg whites until stiff but still glossy
- Gently fold egg whites into chocolate mixture with spatula
- Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes until top begins to crack. Do not overcook
