CHRISTMAS CANAPÉS & SABOTAGE

Part 3

"This is going to look great in the living room," Alex said as he draped his arm over Amy's shoulders. They were standing in the corner of the ballroom, admiring the blue and silver trimmed Christmas tree that had been moved there from the lobby at Halo Restaurant. "You worked hard on this event. I'm glad you won the prize you wanted."

"Thank you, honey." Amy stood on her tip-toes and kissed him on the cheek. "I was so excited to find out this was one of the prizes. I think it was very serendipitous that the table theme that I had planned out months ago matched it almost perfectly."

"Your table looks like it was designed to sit next to the tree. We'll have to host a party next year so we can see how they look together."

"Congratulations," a woman wearing a black silk mini dress said as she toasted Amy with a plastic wine glass. "Your table was gorgeous."

"Thank you. Happy holidays!" Amy called as she turned to walk back to her table. She grabbed Alex's hand and led him up the aisle. "Looks like people are starting to pack up. I don't think I have any food left, so it won't take long to get ready to leave. I just want to go home and crawl into bed."

"Me too, but I don't want to sleep," he whispered into her ear as they stopped in front of Amy's table. She shivered even though the ballroom was pleasantly warm. All of the food was gone. Only an inch of punch remained in the glass drink dispenser. She slid a storage bin out from under the table and began tossing in the silk and silver lamé scarves that had been wound between the platters. Once there was a nice bed of soft fabric she nestled the ornaments and chandelier crystals on top. While she was doing that Alex had found a luggage cart and wheeled it up beside her.

"Can you start wrapping the plates and platters in bubble wrap? There should be a box full of it under the table."

"Anything to help get you home sooner. And in bed." He waggled his eyebrows. "With me."

Amy laughed as she emptied the reservoirs full of water under the ice blocks into the drink dispenser. The jar and remaining ice would go into a cooler, and she could take care of it at home since there was no easy way to get to a sink to dispose of the liquid.

"Congrats. I know you loved that tree," Bea said as she stopped in the aisle. She leaned on the handle of her luggage cart, which was already loaded with boxes and coolers. "Sorry you didn't win first place overall."

"I'm happy." Amy shrugged. "I won the specialty category that I wanted, and the champion deserved to win first place. A three-foot-tall solid ice fountain was a genius way to serve the punch."

"It was. I'm just glad you caught Erica before she hit that fire alarm, or we all would've had fountains."

"You know who she is?" Amy had no idea who the Chef In Black was, other than a big, cranky party-pooper. "I had seen her here the last few days, but she doesn't look familiar beyond that."

"It's Erica Clinton. She owns Black Swan catering and is also part owner of Mossman's Banquet Hall."

"Where this contest was held the last two years."

"Exactly. I would imagine she lost a lot of money when the contest moved here, between the event renting the hall and people who attend the cocktail party deciding to book future parties there. I heard her yelling at Bridget Mahoney that her Christmas was ruined because she had been counting on the revenue from the event."

"Her holiday was spoiled so she decided to torture everybody else?" Amy rolled her eyes as she wrapped the last serving plate in bubble wrap. "I guess the Grim Reaper look was very appropriate for her personality."

"It was indeed." Bea laughed. "I need to get going. Have to work tomorrow morning. You all have a good night. Merry Christmas," she said as she waved goodbye.

"Good night and happy holidays to you, too," Amy said. She gasped as Alex pushed her hair aside and kissed the side of her neck, in that special spot that always made her toes wiggle, as he untied her apron strings. "No PDA, mister. Help get the cart loaded up so we can continue this in a more appropriate place."

"Aye, aye, madam." Alex saluted her. Within two minutes he had everything stacked on the cart in an arrangement that would make a Tetris master proud. He placed the trophy on top like a cherry on a sundae. "Ready to leave?"

"Absolutely. Let's go home and make this holiday a little jollier."

* * *

Snickerdoodle Dip

8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 c. butter, at room temperature

1/4 c. real maple syrup

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Place cream cheese and butter in a medium-sized bowl. Cream together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add rest of ingredients and mix until combined.

Serve as a dip with graham crackers, pretzels, butter crackers, etc. Can also be used as a spread for bagels or toast.

* * * * *

Creamy Tomato Soup with Garam Masala

The heat level of garam masala varies, ranging from mild to hot. While the soup is simmering, more can be added if you would like the soup to be spicier.

1 small, yellow onion, finely minced

1 Tbsp. butter

1 to 2 tsp. garam masala

1 – 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 tsp. brown sugar

2 c. vegetable broth

½ c. plain Greek yogurt

Melt butter in a small sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions. Season with 1 tsp. garam masala, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft and beginning to caramelize (you may need to turn down the heat if they start to burn), about 10 minutes. Transfer onions to a 3 qt. saucepan. Add tomatoes, brown sugar, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, adding more garam masala if you would like the taste of the spice to be stronger. Reduce heat to low and stir in yogurt. Check seasoning, adding more sugar or salt if necessary. Heat until just warmed through, taking care not to let it come to a boil or the yogurt will curdle. Makes 4-6 servings.