To New Year?s Eve or Not to New Year?s Eve: That Is the Question!

Each year the holidays race by so quickly that I can?t even believe it has happened! After the rush of Thanksgiving and Christmas, once the new gifts are neatly stowed away (or in the case of children?s rooms ? NOT), following the repacking of the holiday décor and removal of the tree? I am faced with the question. What will we do for New Year?s Eve?

?What are you doing New Year?s - New Year?s Eve??

That?s how the song goes? But, what are you doing? There are so many options, but not all fit your lifestyle or your energy level post-said holiday rush! In years past, when our kids were small we simply stayed home and had a gorgeous, yet simple, meal for two after the children were tucked into bed. We would toast the New Year and, as new parents tend to, fall happily asleep in bed without ever witnessing the ?Rockin New Year? or whatever else was on TV!

These days we certainly have the choice of finding a sitter (which is actually quite difficult on this night of the year) and venturing out to bar-hop or book for an event at one of the many hotel soirees or planned parties at restaurants, but that?s just not what fits us anymore. If it fits you ? by all means ? go for it! A fun get-together with our great group of friends (kids in tow) is perfect for us. Thankfully we have friends that are willing to have US over since after my annual Christmas party plus hosting my family for three or four days of planned meals and clean-up during the holiday, I?m pretty cooked and ?cleaned out? so to speak!

I can?t wait to ring in the New Year with good friends and some yummy food. This year it sounds like tacos, margaritas and deliciously casual fun-fare that suits everyone present, including a crowd of kids! Sounds great! I?m there! Count me in! This relaxed gathering among friends is just what the doctor ordered for us after a month of hosting ourselves!

I do have a little recipe in my pocket, of course, for those of you who ARE planning the easy, yet elegant dinner at home alone or with just a few people. Or maybe you save the fanfare for New Year?s eve and do it up in royal style with a fancy party?. More power to you! I made this SUPER EASY appetizer for Christmas Eve this year. It was fantastic with a glass of bubbly ? which of course makes me think of those of you toasting in the New Year. If you get a chance to try this, now or anytime throughout the year; enjoy! It was delicately balanced, simple and delightful.

All the best to you in 2011! Health, happiness and good eating?!

Dress up these tarts with torn baby greens, dried cranberries, crumbled cooked bacon or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Or place a bit of mustard onto the pastry squares before adding the cheese. (** I made them without any of the add-on?s, but I?m sure it?s fantastic with!)



Ingredients

1 (17-ounce) box frozen puff pastry

12 ounces brie cheese

Red Onion Marmalade (** I had on-hand a jar of Stonewall Kitchens Garlic and Onion Jam, which I used in place of shopping for this ingredient and they turned out delicious! Don?t be afraid to make convenient substitutions!)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F. 2. Cut puff pastry sheets into 24 (3-inch square) pieces. Place in mini-muffin tins. Place a 1-inch cube (1?2-ounce) of brie on top of pastry squares. Top each with 1 teaspoon jam. Bake about 15 minutes, until pastry is golden brown.



Recipe by Chef Chris Koetke.

Nutritional Information