Virtual Holiday Showcase
SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM THE DEAN
As this year comes to a close and we celebrate the holiday season, I wanted to express just how grateful I am that you—our alumni—are part of the NYU Stern community. On behalf of the School, I wish you and your loved ones all the best in the year ahead.
Warm wishes,
Raghu Sundaram
Dean, NYU Stern School of Business
HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
Raghu Sundaram, Dean
During the winter break, my entire extended family from across the globe congregates in Chennai, India, where almost all of us grew up. I look forward keenly to seeing everyone and reconnecting with family and friends during this special time of year. Regrettably, for only the second time in the last 20+ years, I will not be making the trip this year.
Robert Whitelaw, Vice Dean, Undergraduate College
Winter break is a great time for a family ski vacation. Travel to beautiful locations in the mountains, get some fresh air and exercise, spend time with loved ones. What’s not to like?
Beth Briggs, Associate Dean, Career Services
At our first Christmas with our daughter, my husband and I purchased a copy of "T'was The Night Before Christmas." Each Christmas Eve, we have written an entry in the blank spaces of the book to recap the events of the year that passed. Now, we read through each entry with our kids on Christmas Eve before we read the book. You can imagine how much teenagers love being read to—but they really appreciate the tradition and the memories.
Gian Luca Clementi, Professor
As is the case for most Italians, holidays mean food enjoyed with family. My wife is a great cook, which allows my kids and me to feast on all sorts of delicacies from cannelloni pasta or cappelletti in chicken broth, to braised rabbit and fish stew. Pictured here are her homemade cappelletti, or “little hats.” On New Year's Day, we switch cuisines and pay a visit to our favorite Indian restaurant in colorful and multi-ethnic Jackson Heights.
James Kingham, Executive Director, Professional Development & Career Education, Undergraduate College
Late fall brings the onset of the holiday season, but it's also a time for raking leaves and letting my daughters jump in the pile!
Sonia Marciano, Professor
One of the few things everyone in my family is happy to do...the Union Square Holiday Market. We split up and get each other presents. We then meet at a nearby restaurant—usually Rosa Mexicano because they have great margaritas and spacious tables—and we exchange gifts.
Dolly Chugh, Professor
Each year, we do a family photo shoot and then design a family holiday card using a photo from that shoot. We then frame the card and add it to a special wall in our home.
Conor Grennan, Dean of MBA Students
My wife, Liz, has been putting together advent calendars for the kids since they were tiny. At ages 12 and 10, Finn and Lucy still count down the hours to open their treats every night!
JP Eggers, Vice Dean, MBA & Graduate Programs
For a long time, our main holiday tradition was travel. As dual academics with kids who have ambitious summer plans, the December break is often the only viable option for our family to get out of town. Here we are cave rappelling in beautiful Belize a few years ago!
Bryan Ramos, Assistant Dean of Global & Experiential Education
The holidays have always been a time to not rest but to see family (and I have a big half Spanish and Italian one). You can find my 2 year old son and his cousins running around while we are cooking a ton in the kitchen. Naturally, lots of good food and wine sums up this special time of year for the Ramos family!
Ed Altman, Professor
One holiday tradition my wife and I have, along with two other hedonistic couples, is to dress up as elegantly as we can and search out a new and exciting elegant restaurant and indulge in their signature dishes for a hopefully memorable meal. This year it will be “Aquavit”!
Nate Petit, Professor
Sometime around 1990, my grandmother decided to commission a painting of my brothers and me. We were five, seven, and ten years old at the time. Rather than burn this monstrosity upon her death, we decided to make it the "prize" associated with a multi-day competition involving Wii bowling, cookie decorating, and various card and board games that my family plays during the holidays. The overall loser has to take the painting home with them, and the overall winner decides where the loser has to display it in their home until the following holiday season. Over the years, it's become the source of a lot of laughs during the holidays. Here's a photo of one of the cookies from last year's competition (the only virtual competition held).
HOLIDAY RECIPES
Ginger Citrus Pound Cake
This ginger citrus pound cake is a great dessert for the holidays or any time of year.
Cranberry Apple Hot Toddy
Adam Teeter (MBA '14), co-founder and CEO of VinePair, shares the recipe for this hot toddy drink and other cocktail ideas on his website.
Cheesy Chorizo Bites with Pineapple Jam
These tasty appetizers are a no-fuss savory finger food for any holiday party or gathering.
Winning No Icing Carrot Cake
2 cups sugar
1.5 cups veggie oil
4 eggs
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
0.5 cups buttermilk
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp lemon flavoring
1 tsp coconut flavoring
In a mixer combine sugar, oil, and eggs.
Sift flour and baking soda and add to mixture alternating with buttermilk.
Add carrots, pecans, and flavoring. Mix well.
Bake at 300 degrees for 1.5 hours in a bundt pan.
Cool and serve.
Baked Figs Stuffed with Almonds and Chocolate
12 large dried figs
1/4 cup plus 12 whole blanched almonds
1 square semi-sweet chocolate, finely grated
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Roast almonds on a baking sheet for 10 minutes.
Pulverize 1/4 cup almonds in a processor.
Make an incision in the top of each fig. Stuff with chocolate and ground almonds.
Bake figs, stem side up, for 10 minutes on an ungraded baking sheet.
Place a whole almond into each fig.
Cool to room temperature.
Holiday Gift Ideas
