NO FLASHBACK...IT'S TIME FOR A NEW YEAR!!

"maybe it's much too early in the game...ah, but i thought i'd ask you just the same...what are you doing new year's...new year's eve?"
it's officially new year's eve. the bk and i have opted to ring in the new year quietly...mainly because the 3rd snowfall of the season is coming tonight, which makes me very happy...we will do a little cooking...have a little fire...put a little money out on the porch...sip a little champagne...and watch the ball drop. wait. what? we'll put a little money out on the porch!!?? why would we do that?! because we want to bring money in the house on new year's day! legend says, whatever you do on new year's day you will do EVERY day that year...i want to be bringing money in every day, don't you?
so, today will be spent tidying up the nest, doing laundry, cooking a new year's day meal ahead, as much as possible anyway (don't want to be doing any of these things on new year's day!!)...and taking a nap so i don't fall asleep before the ball drops. what will we be dining on this new year's eve and day?

the new year's eve feast:

BUTTERSCOTCH COOKIES
i have shared this recipe before and you can find it by clicking here

gouda, brie, horseradish, and chipotle cheeses with crackers
sushi
                           

new year's eve toast:

COTTON CANDY CHAMPAGNE

ingredients:
store bought cotton candy
your favorite champagne

fill champagne flute with cotton candy...pour champagne over the cotton candy...watch the cotton candy crystalize!! cool cocktail AND amazing science experiment!!



new year's day feast:

COUNTRY~STYLE RIBS AND SAUERKRAUT (for luck)

ingredients:
country~style pork ribs
worcestshire sauce
garlic salt
cracked pepper
paprika
olive oil
your favorite bbq sauce
sauerkraut

coat all sides of ribs with worcestshire sauce. season with garlic salt, paprika, and cracked pepper to taste. heat 3 tbs olive oil in iron skillet. brown ribs on all sides, reduce heat and fry an additional 15~20 minutes. brush on bbq sauce and cook an additional 5 minutes. heat sauerkraut in sauce pan. serve ribs over sauerkraut. 

COLLARD GREENS (for wealth)

1 tbs olive oil
3 slices bacon
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
3 cups chicken broth
pinch red pepper flakes
1 pound fresh collards cut into 2 inch pieces

heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat...add bacon, and cook until crisp...remove bacon from pan, crumble and return to the pan...add onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes...add garlic, and cook until just fragrant...add collard greens, and fry until they start to wilt...pour in chicken broth, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes...reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until greens are tender

BLACK~EYED PEAS (for more luck)

4 c. fresh or frozen black~eyed peas
3 slices bacon
1 onion, chopped
1 celery stal, chopped
6 cups chicken broth
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

In a dutch oven, cook bacon until crisp; set aside to drain on paper towels...saute onion, celery, and garlic in drippings...add broth, peas, salt and pepper and bring to a boil...reduce heat...crumble bacon and add to peas...add more seasonings to taste...simmer for 30 minutes to an hour (depending totally on how tender you prefer)...

hope the new year brings you luck, health, wealth, and happiness!!