Pomegranates add a bright and delicious flavor to holiday cocktails.
A wonderful tangy, tangerine take on the super-trendy Negroni.
This Brandy Pudding Cake is excellent when eaten warm.
If you’re in a festive mood then you may want to give this delicious Pomegranate Margarita a try.
Here at Tiny New York Kitchen, this is one of our favorite holiday appetizers.
Here is an unbelievably simple party hors d'oeuvre recipe. Often times simple equal sophisticated in my book.
Japanese New Year
Ringing in the New Year is an important holiday activity and exciting event for the Japanese. In Japan the New Year celebration is called “nenga.” The Japanese observe nenga by eating osechi ryouri (New Year’s dishes), going to hatsumoude (first shrine visit), and decorating houses with ornaments like kadomatsu (pine tree decoration), shimenawa (a rope made with rice straw), and kagamimochi (round rice cakes to offer to the gods).
Reading New Year’s postcards, called nengajo, It is customary to send New Year’s postcards to friends, relatives, co-workers, and business clients which is very similar to the Western custom of sending Christmas cards. People in Japan consider it extremely important that nengajo are delivered EXACTLY on January 1st. This makes for the busiest day of the year for Japan Post because they are responsible to meet everybody’s needs to get their nengajo delivered on time. E-cards are becoming increasingly popular, Japanese people still keep the custom of sending New Year’s greetings by the postal service.
Nengajo usually have an illustrated New Year’s message with graphics symbolizing the New Year which may include a sunrise, a plum tree or one of the 12 eto animals (mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig). A specific animal represents each year. The eto for 2014 is the horse (uma).
Among many of the New Year’s activities, “ostoshidama” is the most fun one for children. Otoshidama was originally a gift to celebrate the New Year, but the word mainly refers to money given to children by older people during the holiday. Otoshidama are handed out in small envelopes called “pochibukuro.”
Tiny New York Kitchen Wishes You & Your Family A Very Happy New Year!
Seven Stylish Bar Drinks
Some like their cocktails sweet and fruity; others want them brisk and sour; and martini lovers are in a class by themselves. Keep these recipes in your repertoire and you’ll be covered no matter whom you’re hosting. Remember to drink and serve responsibly!
Cosmopolitan
INGREDIENTS
1/4 Cup (2 Ounces) Vodka
2 Tablespoons (1 Ounce) Orange Liqueur
2 Tablespoons (1 Ounce) Cranberry Juice
1 Tablespoons (1/2 Ounce) Lime Juice
In a cocktail shaker combine all ingredients. Add ice cubes, cover and shake until very cold. Strain liquid into chilled glass. If desired, garnish with lime peel twist. Makes 1 serving.
Mai Tai
INGREDIENTS
1/3 Cup Pineapple Juice
3 Tablespoons (1 1/2 Ounces) Rum
3 Tablespoons (1 1/2 Ounces) Orange Liqueur
2 Tablespoons (1 Ounce) Grenadine Syrup
Dash Lime Juice
Dash Sugar
In a cocktail shaker combine all ingredients. Add ice cubes, cover and shake until very cold. Strain liquid into tall glass filled with crushed ice. If desired, garnish with fresh fruit (such as strawberries, kiwifruit, orange wedges) threaded on long skewer. Makes 1 serving.
Vodka Gimlet
INGREDIENTS
3 Tablespoons (1 1/2 Ounces) Vodka or Gin
1 Tablespoon (1/2 Ounce) Bottled Sweetened Lime Juice
In a cocktail shaker combine vodka and sweetened lime juice. Add ice cubes, cover and shake until very cold. Strain liquid into an ice-filled glass. If desired garnish with a lime peel twist. Makes 1 serving.
Sidecar
INGREDIENTS
1/4 Cup (2 Ounces) Brandy
2 Tablespoons (1 Ounce) Lemon Juice
2 Tablespoons (1 Ounce) Orange Liqueur
Wet the rim of a chilled glass with water. Dip rim into dish of sugar to coat. Set aside. In a cocktail shaker combine all ingredients. Add ice cubes, cover and shake until very cold. Strain liquid into prepared glass filled with additional ice cubes. If desired garnish with quartered lemon slices. Makes 1 serving.
Whiskey Sour
INGREDIENTS
1/4 Cup (2 Ounces) Bourbon
2 Tablespoons (1 Ounce) Lime Juice
2 Tablespoons (1 Ounce) Lemon Juice
1 Tablespoon Sugar
In a rocks glass combine all ingredients. Using a spoon, stir until combined and sugar is dissolved. Add ice cubes. If desired, garnish with an orange slice and a cherry. Makes 1 serving
Blackberry Fizz
INGREDIENTS
5 Fresh or Frozen Blackberries (Thawed)
1 Tablespoon (1/2 Ounce) Lime Juice
1 Teaspoon Superfine Sugar
3 Tablespoons (1 1/2 Ounces) Cognac or Other Brandy
3 Tablespoons (1 1/2 Ounces) Sparkling Wine
In a cocktail shaker combine blackberries, lime juice, superfine sugar. To muddle, gently crush berries with the back of a spoon. Add cognac or other brandy and ice cubes. Cover and shake until very cold. Strain liquid into an ice filled glass. Add chilled sparkling wine. Garnish with additional blackberries and, if desired, a mint sprig. Makes 1 serving.
Martini
INGREDIENTS
3 Green Olives
1/4 Cup (2 Ounces) Gin or Vodka
1 1/2 Teaspoons (1/4 Ounce) Dry Vermouth
Thread green olives on a cocktail pick. Set aside. In a cocktail shaker combine gin (or vodka) and dry vermouth. Add ice cubes. Cover and shake until very cold. Strain liquid into a martini glass. Garnish with olives and/or a lemon peel twist. Makes 1 serving.
New Year’s Menu Ideas
If you’re having a New Year’s Eve party or just want to prepare a nice family dinner here are some tasty menu ideas that can help you plan a perfect start to the New Year!
Hors D’Oeuvres, Soups And First Courses
American Osetra Caviar
Smoked Salmon Platter (With Diced Red Onion, Egg Whites, Egg Yolks, Capers & Lemon Wedges)
Salad of Baby Greens With Candied Walnuts, Dried Cherries & Chevre
Artisan Cheese & Seasonal Fruit Platter
Roasted Winter Squash Soup
Shrimp & Crab Bisque
Baked Brie
Shrimp Cocktail With Cocktail Sauce
Pigs in a Blanket
Mini Crab Cakes With Classic Remoulade Sauce
Peking Duck Wrapped in Scallion Pancakes
Smoked Salmon On Cucumber Rounds
Coconut Shrimp With Mango Dipping Sauce
Entrees
Beef Tenderloin
Roasted Chicken Breasts With Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb
Roasted Salmon Filet With Grilled Pineapples
Individual Beef Wellington
Lobster Pot Pie
Roasted Tournedos of Filet Mignon
Side Dishes
Roasted Mushrooms and Potatoes
Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Potato Gratin
Haricots Verts With Mushrooms & Shallots
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta & Balsamic Vinegar
Steamed Asparagus
Herb Roasted Potatoes
Whipped Potatoes
Butternut Squash Mash With Brown Butter & Sage
Desserts
Chocolate Cake
Dark Chocolate Mousse
Brownies
Chocolate Éclairs
French Macaroons
Petits Fours
