tiny hands and huge expectations. But even for the most sophisticated chefs, holiday cooking is not about wowing everyone with the latest ingredients and chicest techniques. It's about re-creating traditional holiday dishes—all those old standbys that affirm a family's shared history, the simple foods they've loved since childhood, those rib roasts and cookies ..... a slice of roasted sausage you have a meal. To me, the holiday season wouldn't be the same without chestnut soup. Recipe: Chestnut soup Lydia Shire, Locke-Ober Restaurant, Boston My father was a passionate cook, ..... a white beard. My father had two Chinese cooks who made our Christmas dinner, so there were always a handful of Asian dishes on the table. Just about my favorite thing was the Basler Läckerli cookies