New Years Day

                        

New Years is coming and it’s time to plan my traditional New Year’s Day dinner.

I don’t like to  cook on New Year’s Eve. That’s not a special day to me. I see it as just the  end of the year I have lived through and it may have been or may not  have been the best year I  have had. No the day that is important to me is New Years Day. This day is special because it feels like  a fresh start a new beginning a day to celebrate and a special time to share with my friends and family.It is a  time to make resolutions and enjoy the feeling of starting new again.

Years ago when my family was still alive we use to go to the New Years Day Auction in Perth NY and then after the auction my family would  come back to our home and get ready for our friends and familyto  arrive at our New Years Day party. We would share laughter fond memories and make promises we would never keep for the New Year. While everyone was enjoying the New Years Day party they would be  eating and enjoying the split pea soup and ham and cheese sandwiches I had made earlier that day before the auction and  set up on the buffet along with other delicious treats and the festive New Years Day display. It was always such a good time and no one ever went home hungry.

Now years later most of these traditions are part of the past but I still make similar food each year.

Now I watch the Rose parade with a couple of friends and I still serve pea soup and ham sandwiches with a budget twist.

I no longer make split pea soup I make fresh pea soup that everyone is crazy about.  If you promise not to tell I will tell you what makes this soup special and so good.  Believe me people go crazy for this soup once they get by the fact they are eating green soup! I add a cup of white wine! OK now you know my secret. I add wine or liquor to most of my cooking. I can’t help it I almost don’t know how to cook if I don’t!

Here is the easy and inexpensive recipe for the fresh pea soup (if you want a richer version the one that the Barefoot Contessa makes on the Food Network is awesome!)   

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion chopped up
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup of white wine
• 3 cups frozen green peas
• Ham
• One small potato
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons whipping cream (optional) I always have whip cream I am a whip cream lover (I buy the whip cream at the Dollar Tree for a dollar) but milk with be fine too. Use what you have.

Directions

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Pour in the broth wine and peas, season to taste with salt and pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the peas are tender, 12 to 18 minutes.

Puree the peas in a blender or food processor in batches. Strain back into the saucepan, stir in the cream if using, and reheat. Chop up the small cooked potato and one slice of the ham after you have put the soup though the blender and add to the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving. (You don’t have to add the ham or the potato I just like the extra depth it gives the soup.)

This is so easy and inexpensive to make! While at the store buying the dollar bag of frozen peas stop by the Deli and pick up a quarter pound of thick sliced ham. (About six slices) and four slices of Alpine swift cheese. 

It’s up to you what bread or rolls you use and if you want to buy a four dollar loaf of seeded rye bread go for it. This is a special day to do things your way but hopefully on a budget.

 The meal will still most likely come in under two dollars per person.

If you feel that you cannot afford the ham then do grilled cheese sandwiches. Its tastes just as good with the pea soup.

The day is about beginnings and sharing these new beginnings with friends and family.

Maybe this is the year to make a resolution to enjoy eating well on a budget.