New Year’s Eve Eats!

I love New Year’s Eve.  It’s a time when I reflect on the year behind and set goals for the year ahead.  It’s a moment to foster my inner gratitude and focus on hopes for the future.  I love celebrating this moment in the year with friends and family—amidst delicious food, of course!  This year we’re all bringing appetizers, and I’m debating what to make.

One meatball appetizer that my husband loves is tasty and easy. You combine one bag of frozen Simek’s meatballs with one jar of plain shrimp sauce and a jar of seedless raspberry jam.  Heat and serve.

Pizza lovers will devour “Torri’s Pepperoni Loaf.”

• Thaw a loaf of frozen bread dough for about 2-hours and roll it out to cookie-sheet size
• Mix 2 beaten eggs, 1 tsp oregano and 1 tsp garlic powder
• Brush more than 1/2 of the egg mixture over the dough
• Layer 6 ounces small sliced pepperoni and 1/2 lb grated mozzarella over the dough
• Roll it up jelly-roll fashion (short end rolled to the middle, the other short end rolled to the middle so they meet)
• Brush the top with remaining egg mixture
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees
• Serve with spaghetti sauce

If you search for recipes on line, you’ll find a plethora of chili and cheese, artichoke, sun-dried tomato, and crab dips—all popular choices at parties.  My favorite artichoke dip is a breeze to make:

• Combine the following ingredients and bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes
• 1 box frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
• 1 can chopped artichoke hearts
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 package cream cheese
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/8 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/8 tsp pepper

My friend Barb likes to buy refrigerated croissants and fill them with a ham and cheddar or roast beef and cream cheese mixture.  You roll up the croissants, slice them, and bake per the instructions on the container.

If you want to bring a healthy option, you could make a fruit salad, assemble fruit skewers, or bring mixed nuts or trail mix.  Hummus with raw vegetables and pita bread, veggie pizza, quinoa salad, and edamame (soy beans) are tasty, nutritious options.

If your party will include children, think of kid-friendly favorites like chicken fingers, celery with peanut butter and raisins, sweet potato fries, and mini pizzas.

For more ideas, visit Coburnsdelivers.com and click on “Easy Eats” to find great appetizer recipes.  Have a wonderful, delicious New Year’s celebration!

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Thanksgiving Planning for the Simpleton

I decided long ago that I like “idiot proof.” It’s not that I consider myself to be a simpleton, but I like things that are made to be simple – especially when it comes to cooking. So, here’s the inside tip of the day: for all of you who are going to tackle the biggest meal of the year for the first time you need to check out the Thanksgiving Planner at CobornsDelivers.com.

If you go to the website and log in you’ll find “Thanksgiving Made Easy,” on the home page; click the “start planning” icon and go. The planner walks you through every part of the meal – appetizers, main dish, fruits and vegetables, stuffing and potatoes, bread and rolls, beverages and dessert. If you’re interested in appetizer ideas, there are 8 options from seafood to crackers and cheese to easy eats. They even give you tips on what makes great appetizers.

For the main course, you’ve got 4 options: Whole turkey, turkey breast, ham and duck! Again, multiple products, ideas, necessary ingredients and of course, tips. They have included all the ingredients that you will need to make your Thanksgiving dinner.

Again, I like it when things are spelled out for me and this is exactly what CobornsDelivers has done with their Thanksgiving planner.  Yes, it’s simple.  In fact, it’s so simple…I’m sending it to cousin Chris who is making Thanksgiving dinner again for 19 people at her house.

What? Did you really think I was going to make it?  Rule number one about taking on the “big bird” – don’t make your culinary debut on Thanksgiving.

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