The first day of a brand new year. Most of us will sit and think of resolutions to make, set goals for ourselves, start new adventures .... but no matter what you decide to do with the start of your new year, just make sure that you do it for you.
I myself am not a big fan of making 'resolutions.' I don't like the fact that if I don't stick to what I made the resolution for, then I feel as if I failed. I like to make suggestions and plans for myself. Throughout the course of 365 days things change. And with that you have to change with them. I can sit here all day long and make a list of resolutions ... but let's be real. As I will be sitting here on January 1, 2013 I probably will be lucky if I even came close to fulfilling that resolution I made. I want to be able to sit here in a year from now - and know that I made strides in my life. That I did things. That I was creative. That I loved. That I lived my life to the best of my own ability. That's what I'm planning for this new year.
Last night we celebrated NYE with friends at home. We laughed, joked, played games, ate, drank and just had a good time. When it all boils down, isn't that what it's really all about? Now, if you know anything about me, then you know that I love to entertain at home. NYE is supposed to be a little classy and a lot fun, so I tried to plan my menu accordingly. I prepared shredded chicken taquito's, homemade pico de gallo, french vanilla stuffed chocolate covered strawberries and even made drunken gummy bears for fun.
Let's start with the sweet stuff. I took a package of strawberries, washed them and then took the bottom tip off of the berries. Then, I took a small peeler and hollowed out the inside of the berry, being careful not to take out too much. I then took some of the seasonal Cool Whip in the french vanilla flavor and put it into a ziplock bag as my piping bag. I placed the bag of Cool Whip in the freezer for about 5-7 minutes to simply firm it up a little, as I was going to be drizzling hot, melted chocolate over it.
I then started melting my chocolate in a double boiler and added about 3 tablespoons of butter. When melting your chocolate be sure that you are constantly stirring and not using cold ingredients, as this will make your chocolate seize and you'll loose your smooth consistency. I then lined my cookie sheet with parchment paper to set the berries on. Then, taking the piping bag, I started filling the berries.
My fiance helped me out with photography. :) Once the berries were filled I took a large spoon and covered each berry with the melted chocolate. Then, I set it on the parchment paper to set.
Here are the berries just before I put them in the freezer. They already look delicious! Leave them in the freezer for about 30 minutes, they won't take long to set. Of course I left them in the fridge until my guests arrived because I wanted them to stay looking amazing until we were ready to serve them.
For the taquito's I simply boiled 4 large chicken breasts with the rib meat until they were falling off the bone. If you want to save your chicken stock, allow it to cool then place in a container. For an easy tip .... pour into an empty ice cube tray and place in your freezer. This way you have portions that when you need some stock you can just pop out of the tray and place in your recipe. It will melt down beautifully.
Allow the chicken to chill and then begin shredding with two forks. I place it in a large bowl, then add the zest of one lime and then the juice of the lime. Add garlic salt, shredded Monterrey Jack cheese, cumin and then mix together. Take flour or corn tortillas, (I used flour this time) and pop them in the microwave for about 30 seconds just to make them pliable. Take your chicken mixture and place in the middle of the tortilla and roll up tightly. Let them rest tightly together in a baking dish. I sprayed canola oil over the top because I wanted them to crisp up ever so slightly.
Cook in the oven at 425 for 20 minutes. Then, turn off your oven, but don't remove your taquito's ... top with Monterrey Jack cheese and close the oven. Allow the remaining heat to melt your cheese. Then take out of the oven and serve with pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole.
We ate, played poker, Just Dance 3 on the Wii, laughed and had a blast. Come midnight we did our count down and basked in the newness of a new year.
Again ... no resolutions ... just plans and the constant thought of living life as it should be lived; to the limits. Love with no boundaries. Laugh with all you have. Smile as big as you can. Hug the ones you love. Happy 2012.
Cheers.
I myself am not a big fan of making 'resolutions.' I don't like the fact that if I don't stick to what I made the resolution for, then I feel as if I failed. I like to make suggestions and plans for myself. Throughout the course of 365 days things change. And with that you have to change with them. I can sit here all day long and make a list of resolutions ... but let's be real. As I will be sitting here on January 1, 2013 I probably will be lucky if I even came close to fulfilling that resolution I made. I want to be able to sit here in a year from now - and know that I made strides in my life. That I did things. That I was creative. That I loved. That I lived my life to the best of my own ability. That's what I'm planning for this new year.
Last night we celebrated NYE with friends at home. We laughed, joked, played games, ate, drank and just had a good time. When it all boils down, isn't that what it's really all about? Now, if you know anything about me, then you know that I love to entertain at home. NYE is supposed to be a little classy and a lot fun, so I tried to plan my menu accordingly. I prepared shredded chicken taquito's, homemade pico de gallo, french vanilla stuffed chocolate covered strawberries and even made drunken gummy bears for fun.
Allow the chicken to chill and then begin shredding with two forks. I place it in a large bowl, then add the zest of one lime and then the juice of the lime. Add garlic salt, shredded Monterrey Jack cheese, cumin and then mix together. Take flour or corn tortillas, (I used flour this time) and pop them in the microwave for about 30 seconds just to make them pliable. Take your chicken mixture and place in the middle of the tortilla and roll up tightly. Let them rest tightly together in a baking dish. I sprayed canola oil over the top because I wanted them to crisp up ever so slightly.
We ate, played poker, Just Dance 3 on the Wii, laughed and had a blast. Come midnight we did our count down and basked in the newness of a new year.
Again ... no resolutions ... just plans and the constant thought of living life as it should be lived; to the limits. Love with no boundaries. Laugh with all you have. Smile as big as you can. Hug the ones you love. Happy 2012.
Cheers.
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