Are you faced with the same dilemma every New Year's Eve of what wine to select from the Champagne aisle? We hear you. There are a growing number of bubblies that fall in the range between Cook's and Cristal, and choosing the right one can be tricky. Here's a tip: The bargains lie in sparkling wines outside of the Champagne region of France. We've compiled some of our favorite Champagne alternatives, so you can choose the perfect sparkler for your celebration.
New Year's Eve is an ideal time to serve simple appetizers that can withstand hours of partying. After making Roquefort and Walnut Canapés, I had leftover walnuts, so I looked for another amuse bouche that could use up the nuts.
With its easy fig and olive tapenade, this delicious bite is served on a cracker with a small dollop of goat cheese and a roasted walnut topping. The tapenade can be made three days in advance, and the whole thing is quick to assemble just before party time. Every bite is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy. To celebrate with these appetizing hors d'oeuvres, read more
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Saltimbocca
Popular in Italy and especially Rome, saltimbocca is a dish made traditionally with veal cutlets but sometimes with chicken or pork. The meat is usually pounded thin and wrapped in or topped by prosciutto and sage leaves.
Often cooked in white wine and butter or oil, the veal is then seasoned with its own sauce and sometimes capers. Saltimbocca means "jumps in the mouth" in Italian.
Instead of hosting a crazy party on New Year's Eve, invite friends and family over for a decadent lunch on Jan. 1. Begin the soirée in the early afternoon (around 2:30) to allow late-night partygoers plenty of time to recover. Serve a menu that is rich, satisfying, and luxurious.
Start with caviar on brioche toasts with creme fraiche. Slice smoked salmon and cream cheese frittata into bite-size pieces and serve as appetizers. Have guests sit down to a creamy leek and potato soup paired with a simple salad of mixed greens dressed with champagne vinaigrette.
This menu would also make a delightful first day of the year dinner. To check out the recipes, read more
Last week The Oregonian had an interesting piece about a 5-year-old child who has his own cooking show. On Portland Community Media's show The Big Kitchen With Food, kid chef Julian Kreusser shows viewers how to make chocolate chip zucchini bread, a killer spaghetti sauce, and persimmon smoothies. To learn more about the pint-sized chef and check out a video of his show, read more
This soup ends up being a good source of three blood pressure-lowering minerals since the milk adds calcium and the potatoes deliver a dose of potassium, as well as magnesium.
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