It was a heartbreaker to say goodbye in December 1978 to one of the best food magazines. Thank goodness I still have all the issues with the wonderful recipes. Even after all these years there hardly has been a month gone by that I don’t get requests for Sphere recipes. The final three issues of Sphere were called “Sphere’s Cuisine” because in January the magazine would just be called “Cuisine.” Cuisine was also a great food magazine from January 1979 to December 1984. Both of the magazines ended too soon.
Starting in the New Year I will be posting monthly recipes and info from every Cuisine magazine just as I did for Sphere. In fact, some of the same staff from Sphere stayed on for Cuisine so for a while it was like a continuation of Sphere.
The last Sphere issue had some of my favorite recipes like dozens of Christmas cookies; three glorious holiday menus from the great Bert Greene; a Nantucket Winter Supper Menu; and cooking with chestnuts.
The “Hot Cranberry Wassail” from the Nantucket Winter Supper Menu sounded like a good way to not only toast to the New Year, but a goodbye toast of appreciation to the last issue of Sphere.
This warm and comforting punch is perfect for a large celebration on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day as it makes a gallon! It contains cranberry juice, grape juice, rum, and orange liqueur. Just heat and serve in a punch bowl.
Here’s to you, Sphere. Thank you for the years of great recipes. Gone by not forgotten.
Happy New Year!
- 2-1/2 quarts cranberry juice
- 1 quart grape juice
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup light rum
- ¼ cup orange-flavored liqueur
- Fresh orange slices, for garnish
- Heat juices, water, and sugar in Dutch oven to boiling. Remove from heat; stir in rum and liqueur. Pour into punch bowl; garnish with orange slices. Serve hot.
Happy New Year to you and yours, Debbie!
I’m enjoying your posts, food staging (love seeing your dishes, flatware, linens, etc.) and your photography. The pic with the hands, sweater and cup of wassail is so inviting! Beautuiful work!
Thanks for inspiring and connecting us!
Happy New Year, Denise! Thank you again many times over for being such a kind and loyal reader. It’s what keeps me going.
I loved that magazine and would love to get their Yule log recipe. also the greek issue I cant find anymore but loved that one. Hated to see that magazine stop publishing.
Patricia, I will look for the Yule Log recipe and email you when I find it. If there is anything you remember from the Greek issue let me know and I can email that too. Thanks for writing!
I was excited to find someone who still has some of the Cuisine magazines. I have been searching for a chicken pot pie recipe that was published, I believe, as part of a wedding buffet article in one of the issues. I kept my copy for years and it was sadly lost during a move. Hopefully you’ll come across it as you begin to post recipes in the coming year. I enjoy your posts very much!
Linda, I wish I had an index for all the Cuisines. I’m sure at some point I will come across the pot pie recipe and I’ll email it to you. Actually, I should think about making an index because I am guessing there will be many requests for recipes!
Always an exciting day when I went to the mailbox to find a new issue of Sphere and then Cuisine. 90% of my family favorites now being passed down are from those issues or from Bert Greene cookbooks. Sweet memories!
Judith, it was the same for me. I couldn’t wait to try all the new recipes, and my mom would order patterns for the clothes, or make the crafts especially when there were Christmas ornaments. She made us both some gorgeous outfits. And Bert Greene articles or his cookbooks? He was the best. I met and chatted with him at a cooking contest once. He was an angel. I’m so happy you wrote!
Happy New Year to everyone. the sphere greek recipe I somewhat remember had fillo dough wrapped around a dish. but all of them were excellent.
Patricia, I’ll try to find that fillo recipe too.
Blessings to you & all your family in the New Year. I love every recipe you share! Keep them coming in the New Year. Looking forward to some Hot Cranberry Wassail on these cold nights! Cheers!
Thank you so much, Kim! Blessings in the New Year to you too.
Hi, I am looking for the Poached Pears with macaroon and walnut stuffing served with English Creme custard recipe. We can’t find our copy in our files and always have it for Christmas. We know it was either in the November or December issue. IF you by any chance have access to this recipe, I’d love to have it. You would be a life saver this Christmas. BTW, it is another of their delicious recipes.
Hi Anna- I have a Sphere index and looked under pears, poached, macaroon, stuffing, even English creme and found nothing. If you have any more details I can look again tomorrow before our family arrives by mid-afternoon for Christmas.
Anna- I found the poached pear recipe! Check your email.