Setting the Mood for the Holidays

Setting the Mood for the Holidays

Every family has that one holiday dish—the one everyone looks forward to, the one that feels like celebration, the one that doesn’t taste quite the same unless it’s made during this season. For Rachel, it’s her famous once-a-year appetizer, the Caviar Pie.

In true Rachel fashion, it wasn’t just about the dish. It was about the moment: the music playing, the table set with intention, the feeling of a home filled with warmth. It’s the kind of tradition that lingers long after the last bite.

This season, we’re sharing her beloved recipe so you can bring a little of that same magic to your own celebrations. Whether you’re hosting New Year’s Eve, gathering with friends, or simply creating a cozy night at home, this festive dish is guaranteed to become a new favorite.

 

A Once-a-Year Recipe Worth the Wait:

The Caviar Pie

the Recipe

Ingredients: 

6 hardboiled eggs, chopped
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 ½ cups of Bermuda (red) onion, chopped very small (about 1 large or 2 medium onions)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
⅔ cup sour cream
4 – 5.5 ounces of black or red lumpfish caviar, rinsed and drained well
Oil or cooking spray for pan and small knife
Optional garnish – parsley and lemon

Equipment:
Pot
Cutting board
Medium knife
Small sharp knife
Small strainer with wire mesh & paper towels
Large and small spoon
Spatula
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
2 medium bowls
8 or 9 inch springform pan
Foil or plastic wrap
Optional – handbeater to mix cream cheese and sour cream

Instruction:

- Lightly oil the springform pan or use cooking spray.
- Hardboil the eggs, peel them, and chop them into small bits.
- Mix the chopped eggs and the mayonnaise (basically egg salad without seasoning) and place that mixture on the bottom of the greased pan as the first layer of the pie.
- Sprinkle the finely chopped onion as the 2nd layer and spread it evenly over the eggs.
- Blend the softened cream cheese and the sour cream. Especially if the cream cheese is not softened enough, you may need to whip them together with a beater. I did that this time, but don’t always find it necessary.
- Using a knife or spatula, gently spread that cream cheese/sour cream mixture over the onion as the third layer, being careful not to mix the layers together.
- Cover the pie with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours, up to a day.
- At the last minute, carefully place the caviar in a small strainer, rinse it under softly running cool water, drain it well, and gently pat the caviar in the strainer with a paper towel on the top and the underside to remove any residual moisture. This step is important. It rinses salt off the caviar and prevents the color from running in to the other layers. Be gentle and take your time!
- After the caviar is rinsed and dried, delicately dot small amounts over the sour cream/cream cheese mixture. Then spread it evenly over the pie with the back of a teaspoon.
- When you are ready to unmold the pie, have a plate at hand that is at least 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the springform pan. After placing a bit of oil or cooking spray on the blade of a small knife so that it will glide, gently run the knife around the pan sides to loosen the pie. You may need to do this in several steps, cleaning the knife a couple of times. Then, holding your hand on the bottom of the pan, gently release the spring on the side so the ring around the pan enlarges and comes off.
- Put the bottom of the pan (on which the pie is sitting) on the large plate and garnish to hide the springform bottom on which the pie sits. I use a combination of parsley and lemon.
- Serve with Sasanian Caviar French Mini Blini

Read the full, beautifully detailed recipe on Mother Would Know, complete with step-by-step photos and tips that bring this festive appetizer to life.