Archive: New Year's Celebrating
Culinary Good Luck Charms
To get the year off to a financially promising and energetic start, the soothsayers tell us that we must eat appropriate symbols of good fortune. Consuming anything that resembles a coin (black-eyed peas, lentils, benne crackers) or cash money (collards or kale) is considered a step closer to a winning lottery ticket. Some European traditions suggest eating fatty sausage, to represent prosperity. I suppose this is why lots of folks like sauerkraut and wurst (or some variation thereof). If New Year's culinary symbols are of interest, wait just a few more weeks for the Chinese New Year, which begins Jan. 29. I'm not one to poo-poo financial wellness, and if eating Hoppin' John will improve my portfolio, bring it on. By mistake, I learned a few years ago that frozen black-eyed peas are perfectly acceptable for Hoppin' John, and in fact, I'd venture to say almost preferable to the...
By kimodo | December 30, 2005; 10:20 AM ET | Comments: (4)
Whaddya Doin' New Year's Eve?
I got a crew of 10 or so coming over to my place Saturday night and I need to assemble the menu. Guests bring a favorite bottle and I reciprocate with substantial snacks. I want the lineup to be fun and festive but not too fussy with food that goes with party hats and a pair of jeans. In a way, I want everyone to feel like they're at a picnic . . . but without the ants. There's no culinary theme that I'm sticking to. I don't care if the dishes don't 'work' together. Instead, these will be a few of my favorite things that are shareable, soulful and probably a bit messy....
By kimodo | December 29, 2005; 10:37 AM ET | Email a Comment
Getting Punchy
I wish all holiday calendars could work like this year's configuration: long holiday weekends, with time for both pre- and post-party rest and recovery. How rare it is when we can eat and drink ourselves silly on New Year's Eve, with a bonus package of two whole days to nurse a hangover, extract that lampshade party hat and perhaps arrive at some sobering New Year's resolutions? With the extra time to prepare and recover, we have a perfect excuse to yip it up at home rather than taking trouble out into the streets. Today, I'll cover beverage options. Tomorrow, I'll follow up with some ideas for chow and festive snacks....
By kimodo | December 28, 2005; 11:14 AM ET | Comments: (3)
