New Year’s Eve Dinner

I know a lot of people create really fancy menus for December 31st dinner, but I prefer to give into my cravings. And if you’ve come to know me through my writing, you know that I’m completely smitten with the South.

So this year I created kind of a modern Southern menu, that is in now way elegant or regal, but damn tasty and just what I wanted.

We started with a homemade creamy broccoli soup because it’s winter and I just love being able to whip up a soup based on what I have in the fridge.

My main was Southern Fried Chicken that I actually baked (after indulging all through the holidays, I just couldn’t have one more fat-laden thing)

Roasted Squash was a natural choice

For my black beans and greens, I switched it up a little. To put a modern edge on things, I added smoked bacon instead of ham and arugula instead of chard. I added honey and mustard to brighten and lift the dish and keep it from being too heavy.

And to increase our greens, I tossed some choy sum with sesame oil and Bagel Spice.

I like to think that I can do fancy any ol’ time I feel like it and if I want meatloaf for a special occasion, it doesn’t make it any less special.

And now that I’ve found a place to get duck at a good price, I might just make it for regular dinner this week. That’s how I like to roll – with the punches, with my cravings and with whatever time I have between writing, reading and spending time with family and friends.

It’s going to be a great new year.

Here’s to discovering new dishes, trying new recipes and honing our favourites.

Happy 2011!