So, it's now officially 2011. Am I absolutely horrible if feel like saying "GOOD RIDDANCE" to 2010? For me personally, it was an overall crappy year. If it was bad, frustrating, sob-inducing, backstabbing, or just plain gut-wrenching, it probably happened to me. There were a few high points, like the birth of my god-daughter Cianah and the births of several other friends' children. But that's about it. So for me, 2011 really is a fresh start and I'm having a positive outlook on the year because it couldn't be much worse than last year.
Everyone always talks about the New Year's resolutions they're going to make. And more often than not, I hear people say they're resolving to work out everyday, or drink less, or stop smoking, blah, blah, blah. I'm a realist and let me tell you, that regimen of getting up at 6am to work out won't last if you don't do it at least ten days in a row. So as for myself, I try to make more realistic resolutions, like slow down and take the time to cook at home more. In the last four months of 2010, I was a tornado of energy running around all over creation, doing tons of crazy stuff and didn't take the time out of my day to make a good wholesome meal at home, especially in December when I was traveling for work and going out to eat with Jeremy and the other artists.
I'm going to start by making River's Edge Cabbage Soup. River's Edge was this fabulous restaurant up in Teays Valley back home that had amazing food, and the Cabbage Soup is just one of my favorite things off their menu. Plus, eating cabbage in the New Year is a long-practiced tradition because it's considered a "good luck" vegetable and will bring wealth and prosperity to those who consume it. Hell yeah, I could use a little good luck, wealth, and prosperity this year! Another New Year's tradition I read about was how many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck because it symbolizes coming "full circle." So don't feel so bad about those donuts you had New Year's Day - not only were they helping your awful, blasted hangover, but they were also working to bring you good luck! Anyway, here's the recipe for River's Edge Cabbage Soup. It's easy to make and doesn't have a bunch of crap in it, so if you like spicy, brothy soups, this is a good one for you.
Ingredients
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium cabbage head, chopped
46oz tomato juice
12oz can tomato sauce
15oz stewed tomatoes, pureed
60oz water
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 tbs salt
1 tbs coarse black pepper
1/2 tsp white pepper, to taste
Directions
Mix all ingredients in a tall pot and cover over medium-high heat until cabbage is tender. Add white pepper to taste, depending on how spicy you like your soup. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers.
Another thing I'm planning to make is Trash. No, not the smelly stuff in my garbage can, though I'm sure I'll have plenty of that, regardless. Trash is a party mix my mom has made ever since I can remember, and back when I was a young kid, she actually made it in trash bags because she didn't have a container quite big enough to make the huge batches she made. I'm making mine a little different than my mom's, but I'll give you both recipes since I'm nice and another resolution of mine this year is to be a little nicer to people (this might be more on the not-so-realistic side though).
Brittany's Trash
Ingredients
1 box Rice Chex cereal
1 bag pretzel sticks
1 can raw almonds
1 bag dried cranberries
1 bag dried cherries
2 lb confectioner's sugar
24oz dark chocolate chips
2 cup peanut butter
2 sticks vegan margarine
Directions
Mix Rice Chex, pretzel sticsk, almonds, cranberries, and cherries. Melt chocolate chips, margarine, and peanut butter. Pour over Rice Chex mixture and stir to coat the pieces. Pour confectioner's sugar over and stir to coat well. Refrigerate.
Mom's Trash
Ingredients
1 box Rice Chex
1 can peanuts
1 box raisins
1 lb confectioner's sugar
12oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
1 stick margarine
Directions
Make the exact same way you make mine. Pretty simple, so don't screw it up.
Well, that's all for me today. I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday season full of fond memories and good food. I also wish everyone good luck on their New Year's resolutions, though I know you'll have already given up on them by the end of next week.
