I don't know about anyone else but I think New Years is just so over-rated! It never delivers enough for all the hype! I usually am just frustrated by all of the amateurs out who are so drunk and acting stupid. There are usually fights, covers at bars, and no cabs available! That's why my boyfriend and I decided to stay in and make a good dinner and have some drinks at home. We did that last year too and after hearing stories from friends the next day, we were glad we did!
The Menu for the Evening:
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
Filet Mignon
Lemon Risotto
Brussel Sprouts
Many Delicious Drinks!!!
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
2 slices of thick cut bacon, cut into small cubes
1 shallot, diced
1 garlic glove, minced
1 tsp. honey
1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
salt and pepper
Directions:
1. cook the bacon in a pan until done. Set aside and pour off all but about 1 tbsp. bacon fat.
2. cook the shallot and garlic in the same pan with the bacon fat for about 5 minutes on medium heat until it's softened
3.Turn heat to low. Add in red wine vinegar, honey, and dijon mustard and whisk well.
4. Whisk in the olive oil a little at a time and then pour over your salad greens!
*I used spinach, red onions, and cherry tomatoes for mine.
Lemon Risotto
Ingredients:1 quart chicken stock
2 cups water
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup Arborio rice
2 lemons
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons butter, cut into squares
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
A handfool of basil, chopped
Salt and pepper
1.In a large pot, heat the stock and 2 cups water over medium low heat.
2.In a risotto pot or large skillet with a rounded bottom, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium to medium-high heat.
3.Add the onions and garlic to pan and saute to soften 3 to 4 minutes
4.Stir in the rice and add the zest of 1 lemon. Heat the rice for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the wine and cook until evaporated.
5.Add in the hot stock, a few ladles at a time, and stir for a minute with each addition, to develop the starch and the creamy aspect.
6. Keep adding stock each time the pan starts to become dry at the edges.
7.While the rice cooks, peel and supreme or section the flesh of a lemon and finely chop. Sprinkle with a 1/2 teaspoon sugar.
8.When rice is cooked to al dente, stir in the butter, lemon sections, juice of 1 lemon, the cheese and herbs. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve immediately.
I love this risotto! It is my go to recipe and I like to take the extra and coat with panko bread crumbs and make risotto balls the next day! It's naughty and not very diet friendly but they are so good!
White Wine Vinegar Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients:
Brussel Sprouts, quartered
Olive Oil
1 clove garlic, minced
apple cider vinegar
Directions:
1. chop sprouts into quarters
2. heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add minced garlic
3. add brussel sprouts and saute until they are nice and carmelized
4. right before they are finished, add white wine vinegar and toss
These are so easy and good and you can make them with different vinegars for variation. I make brussel sprouts at least 2 to 3 times a week. I'm obsessed and I'v converted my brussel sprout despising boyfriend into a lover of these guys too!
We spent the rest of the night drinking beer, wine and champagne and watching epsides of 30 Rock!
Ingredients:
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