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New Year’s Eve Balcony Bash ::: Party Menu

I’m back! And don’t worry, I have a New Year’s Resolution to blog as-often-as-possible and I am going to do everything I can to stick to it.

Since my last post I traveled to Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, and San Diego for work. It’s so great to see such fantastic cities for my job, but of course it doesn’t always leave time for my own passions like photography, cooking, and blogging. On top of this Peter and I traveled to Fort Myers and  Orlando for Thanksgiving  and Christmas to see our families.

I finally had a week off last week and I had some time to myself to get back to this lovely blog of mine.

So how did we kiss 2011 goodbye? Jelena and I hosted a small party for New Years Eve at my house. Living in Miami means lots of options for parties on South Beach, but we didn’t want to deal with the crowds and chaos.

We had an amazing time partying out on the balcony in crisp 70 degree weather with lots of champagne and great music (play list à la Peter). It was a “finger food” type menu and of course all homemade. {The Merritt boys even made me substitute the canned chicken in the buffalo chicken dip!}

I actually had a whole crew helping me Saturday. Thanks Jelena, Jennifer, Peter + Justin! The Southwestern Egg Rolls and Champagne Cream Puffs were the biggest hits.

And yes you read that right…the cream puffs had champagne in them! I am obsessed in a sick way with champagne and sparkling wine (so much that I have kept myself up at night thinking of names for this blog including the word champagne), so this was an obvious pick when I saw it on TasteSpotting.

Click below each picture for the recipes.

::: Cocktail Meatballs :::

::: Baked Southwestern Egg Rolls w/ Avocado & Spicy Sour Cream :::

::: Baked & Boneless “Daytona” Wings :::

::: Buffalo Chicken Dip :::

::: Roasted Chickpeas :::

::: Champagne Cream Puffs :::

Happy New Year!

I have a feeling it will be a good one…

::: keelymarie :::

*** On a side note, my Shumai recipe is featured on Yummly.com! Check it out: 10 Darling Dumpling Recipes

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Dim Sum Party ::: Char Siu Bao + Shumai

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I have an obsession with dim sum. Strange right? Maybe it’s the way they are served in cute stacked bamboo steamers or maybe it’s the wide variety of bite size pieces…either way I’m obsessed.

And you too will be if you try these recipes. Promise.

Continue reading “Dim Sum Party ::: Char Siu Bao + Shumai”

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Mom’s {Famous} Beans ::: Calico Beans

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I wish I made these beans for a barbecue at our pool today with friends, music {currently I’d request Jake Owen}, and  homemade mojitos. Instead I am packing for a work trip that I leave on tomorrow. I really shouldn’t complain though because I am heading to Hong Kong and  I  am so freaking excited!

I made my Mom’s famous beans today because I was craving them, so naturally I made enough for an army. Peter says I purposely plan to fatten him up by leaving lots of food when I leave on work trips. ::: Sorry honey ::: Just make 1/2 the recipe below for a more “normal” portion.

Continue reading “Mom’s {Famous} Beans ::: Calico Beans”

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Asian {Taco} Night ::: Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

Think I am a bit Asian crazy lately?

Food that is…

Continue reading “Asian {Taco} Night ::: Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps”

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The Hangover Cure ::: Taiwan Ramen Noodle Soup

We are recovering from the MiamiBeatOhioState game today so I thought a hangover cure recipe was appropriate.

If you haven’t noticed by now I love spicy food. My love for it seems to grow year by year and now that I am getting my favorite recipes down in writing on this blog I am noticing how obsessed I am.

When we lived in Manhattan Beach we would visit Sashi at least once a week {usually after a long night out for a hangover cure}. Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna and the Taiwan Ramen Noodle Soup were my go to items on the menu. Oh and if you haven’t had Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna you are missing out and you need to visit Koi, Nobu, Sashi, or Katsu-ya. I haven’t attempted it at home, but I really need to. It is a 3 way contradiction (hot and cold, soft and crunchy, sweet and spicy) and proof that opposites attract.

Taiwan Ramen Noodle Soup 

Who doesn’t love Ramen? Since I haven’t found anywhere in Miami that makes anything similar (and the 25 cent package kind is really only good for poor college kids) I was thrilled when I found the recipe for the Sashi soup online. It is spicy and a little sweet {my favorite combo} and insanely addicting. A great hangover cure as well. 😉

Recipe found here.

I like to make it so hot your nose runs {also kicking your hangover’s ass}. Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s soup, this is a hearty and very filling meal. YUM!

::: keelymarie :::