2011: Traditions of Good Fortune

For me, staring into the face of a new year is about as refreshing and exciting as it gets. As we close the door on 2010, 2011 provides an endless possibility for new opportunities. Just like every holiday, New Year's has developed many traditions globally. Here are a few ideas to add to your own NYE party traditions:


Stoli-Doli Martini's
Dating back to Colonial America, the pineapple has been a symbol of warmth, welcome and good cheer. Toast to 2011 with a pineapple martini served with home made pineapple-infused Stolichnaya. After Infusing your vodka, just simple shake, pour and garnish with a pineapple slice. However, BEWARE–these little drinks are yummy and very potent! 


• Wired.com has easy step-by-step instructions: Infusing Vodka

*Photo cred: echoluxe.wordpress.com

Black-eyed Peas
On New Year's, southerners traditionally consume black-eyed peas as a sign of humility. An old saying goes, "Eat peas on New Year's day to have plenty of everything the rest of the year." A great way to serve black eyed-peas is in a salsa-like dip called "Texas Caviar" (a.k.a. "RedNeck Caviar," or "Cowboy Caviar"). A recipe passed down from my mother-this dish is always a hit, especially at summer gatherings ( and preferably when served on a boat paired with mojitos).

*Photo CRed: ELISSA EUBANKS/AJC


Texas Caviar
• 1/2c. sugar
• 1/4c. vegetable oil
• 1 TBSP water
• 3/4c. red wine vinegar 
• 1/4c. chopped cilantro
• 1 14.5oz. can black-eyed peas
• 1 14.5oz. can shoe peg corn
• 1 14.5oz. can black beans
• 1 bunch chopped green onions
• 1c. chopped red pepper
• 6 slices jarred jalapeños, chopped
• 1 small clove of garlic, minced


Combine sugar, vinegar, oil, and water. Bring to a boil in a saucepan. Boil for 1 minute. Remove and chill. Combine beans, peas, corn, cilantro, peppers, onions, and garlic. After liquid is chilled, pour over vegetable mixture. Place in fridge overnight to allow flavors to mingle. Serve with Tostitos® Scoops. 


Grape Skewer Garnishes
It is a Spanish tradition to promote good luck in the new year by consuming 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight-each grape representing the future 12 months. Peruvians also incorporate this practice into their New Year's celebration. However, they consume a thirteenth grape for good measure. Make these skewers, and place them into champagne glasses to ensure that your guests start 2011 with good fortune! Cheers!

*Photo cred: marthastewart.com

Bring the Heat

A spicy meal is a sure way to keep warm when the thermometer drops.

-Southwestern Chicken Soup-

                   

• 32oz. reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1lb. chicken breasts, pulled
• 14.5oz (1 can) diced tomatoes
• 14.5oz refried black beans
• 8oz. kidney beans
• 4.5oz canned green chillies
• 14.5oz. northern beans, rinsed and drained 
• 1 cup shucked sweet corn
• 14.5oz. black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 fresh jalapeño finely diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• shredded sharp cheddar for garnish
• low-fat sour cream for garnish
• cracked sea salt to taste
• cracked pepper to taste

Pour half of the chicken broth into a soup pot. Bring to a boil and drop in the chicken breasts. Cook chicken through and remove from pot. Use a fork to pull apart chicken. Add remaining broth to the pot and reduce to a simmer. Mix in the refried beans and stir until well-blended. Add tomatoes, green chillies, beans, corn, jalapeño, garlic, and cracked pepper. Cook for about 35 minutes on low heat. Add the chicken back in and continue to cook for 10 more minutes. Add salt to taste. Serve garnished with cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

-Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread-

                     (an altered recipe from the Quaker Cornmeal box)

• 2 cups stone-ground yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup sharp cheddar
• 1/4 cup sharp cheddar for garnish
• 1 fresh jalapeño finely diced
• 1/2 fresh jalapeño thinly sliced for garnish

Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl beat the eggs with a whisk until foamy; whisk in the milk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Stir in the cheddar and diced jalapeños. Pour batter into a 9-inch well-greased pan. Top with cheese and sliced jalapeños. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes. Slice right before serving and drizzle with honey.

Excessive Post-Christmas Pocket Lint? Spend Less Next Year

Every year, we fork out oodles of silver and gold during the holidays. From the gifts to the spirits to the entertainment and more. It all adds up quick and the holiday budget can easily be blown. In order to keep it all in check this year, I decided to cut down what I spent on decorations. Spending a ton of money on things that are displayed for about one month out of the year just doesn't seem logical. With a little effort, the cash spent on holiday decor can easily decreased. After all, do Christmas decorations ever really go out of style? 

Window Snowflakes

Cutting out snowflakes from coffee filters and applying them to your windows with double sided scotch tape creates an instant winter wonderland!

• roll of 3M double-sided Scotch tape: $1.99

• pack of coffee filters: $1.99

• window paint stick: $.99

Hovering Ornaments

Boxes of vintage ornaments are usually in excess at any local thrift stores. It's okay if they're a little knicked-up. Hey, it adds a little character. Try tying fishing line to them and taping them to your ceiling. Or just put them in a bowl to jazz up your coffee table.

• roll of fishing line: $3.99

• box of old ornaments: $.60-$1.99

• window paint stick: $.99

Repurposed Decorations

I received this snowflake table runner as a gift last year. However, it is a little too long for my table, so i decided to bundle up my Venus di Milo mirror.

Classic Charm.

Everything from conceptualization to photography to design and execution, these former 'Big Apple' dwellers have created a beautiful, classic clothing and accessories line. The Emerson's started by selling cloth flower pins and have expanded their product line from there. 

Check them out!
http://www.emersonmade.com/

F*ck You Monday. I Need More Coffee.

Holidays are draining. With the seemingly endless amount of eating, drinking, and socializing over an extended weekend, extra caffeine is anything but optional this Monday morning for obtaining optimal productivity.  


This mug from suck.uk.com is a perfect gift for a coffee snob. 







In 2008, the Memphis-based coffee company Ugly Mug Coffee re-branded. I'm in love with the straight-forward, slightly edgy tone!

Too much coffee. 

Too much coffee and Gatorade.

It's a hell of a mix. 

If you're ever tired in the morning,

just try that mix, 

and tell me what you think." -Kevin Garnett

Happy Monday! Now go slug some Joe and get out there and grind! :D

Please, Keep on Wining.

 "YES, I'll have a glass of the, errr..PIN-OT NO-EAR...?"  


If you're feeling intimidated by different varietals of wine out there, here's an excellent and pretty interactive website to refer to. Educate yourself:

http://www.cheesecupid.com/

SALUD!

"Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland..."

Normally, I would never condone any sort of Christmas cookie activities prior to Thanksgiving, but with all the winter weather we've been having here in Minne-Snow-Tah, I am dying to roll out a batch of these little flakes again. 

Snowflake cookie cutters!

The Pennsylvania-based company Fox Run makes this super cute cookie cutters packaged nicely in a tin. Mine were a gift from my mom, but you can find them for cheap on Amazon

Alton Brown has a really simple sugar cookie recipe

***Clear candy sprinkles are a must for a frosty effect! :)