ELENA VESELOVA / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
year is a Mediterranean style Chicken with Capers , Prunes and Olives , Potato Latke Frittata served with my Pear Sauce and Vanilla Sour Cream Cupcakes for dessert . The cupcakes are fun to make with kids , frost and decorate with blue and silver sprinkles for a celebratory Hanukkah evening .
To start the New Year off right , Sheet Pan Pancakes are the brilliant solution to standing over the stovetop to make short stacks for the family . Stir up your favorite pancake batter , fold in mixed berries , pour it onto a 12x17 cooking sprayed , rimmed baking sheet , sprinkle sugar on top and slide it into the upper part of a 450 ° F oven for 10 to 12 minutes . Switch your oven to broil and cook 2 to 3 minutes more , until lightly browned and crispy . Cut into squares and serve with maple syrup , Greek yogurt and more berries … scrumptious !
This month reminds me just how true the old saying really goes … Life is Better at the Beach ~ Newport Beach . New Year ’ s Day is the first page in a blank book , so write a phenomenal story ! I wish you and your dear ones a happy , prosperous and healthy New Year .
POMEGRANATE MAPLE GLAZED SPIRAL HOLIDAY HAM There is just something about a perfectly glazed ham with a sweet sticky crispy skin . Buy a pre-cooked spiral sliced ham and make this luscious glaze that your family and friends will swoon over . Use leftovers , my favorite part , to make the best ham sandwiches , split pea soup with the ham bone , ham and cheese omelets or even chopped up in a frittata .
One 8 pound fully cooked spiral sliced bone-in ham
For the Pomegranate Maple Glaze : ⅔ cup pomegranate juice 1 cup maple syrup ⅔ cup granulated coconut sugar 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground clove ½ teaspoon ground allspice
To make the sauce , in a small saucepan add pomegranate juice , maple syrup , coconut sugar , Dijon mustard , ground cinnamon , ground clove and ground allspice . Whisk together and bring to a slow boil , stirring often . Once sauce has thickened , about 3-4 minutes , remove from heat and set aside .
Preheat oven to 325 ° F . Place the ham , cut-side down , on heavy-duty aluminum foil and wrap the ham thoroughly . Bake for 10 to 15 minutes per pound , or until a meat thermometer registers 140 ° F .
Remove ham from oven and open the top part of the tin foil so ham is fully exposed . Liberally apply pomegranate maple glaze to the ham ( I use about half ). Turn the oven to 400 ° F and return the ham to the oven , uncovered . Bake for 10 to 15 until the glaze is browned and bubbling . Let rest for 10 minutes . Serve with the remaining glaze on the side .
GINGER MAPLE PEAR SAUCE A Hanukkah must !
8 large ripe pears , peeled , cut into cubes 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger ¼ cup water
Put all the ingredients into a medium pot , stir well , and place over high heat . When it comes to a boil , drop the heat to low , cover the pot and simmer , about 20 to 30 minutes . Be sure that a little liquid remains in the bottom of the pot at all times , if not , add a tablespoon or two of water as needed .
Purée in a food processor until silky smooth . Store in the refrigerator . The sauce will thicken up as it cools . Serve with potato latkes .
AUTUMN SALAD Pear and pancetta with blue cheese is a lovely starter for any night of the week .
8 slices pancetta 4 ounces arugula 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 8 thin slices pear 8 slices blue cheese
Place the pancetta on a baking tray and cook under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden and crisp .
Toss the arugula in the oil and vinegar . To serve , place the arugula , pear , blue cheese and pancetta on serving plates .
Serves 4
TEQUILA SUNRISE SHOTS To start off the new year for your breakfast party or brunch , this version is the original 1930 ’ s Tequila Sunrise dressed up in shot glasses with a salt rim . Its popularity led to its printing on the back label of Jose Cuervo bottles and then in April 1973 , the Eagles released their song Tequila Sunrise .
Salt for rimming six shot glasses 1 lime wedge 8 ounces fresh orange juice 4 ounces Tequila 1 ounce grenadine
On a small plate , spread an even layer of salt . Gently rub the lime wedge around the rim of six 2-ounce shot glasses . Dip the rims in the salt and set glasses aside . Fill a cocktail shaker half full of ice and add the orange juice and tequila . Cover , shake hard for about 20 seconds , and strain into the shot glasses , dividing it evenly . Top each shot with a little of the grenadine , slowly pour it over the back of a spoon into the shot glass . Makes 6 shots .
BAY WINDOW 77