Spice up the New Year

Happy New Year!!!!! Hopefully, over the past week, we got all that we wished for, saw the family and friends, and had a happy and safe holiday. Most of us who had to work during the holiday season had enough time to spend with our families in between our hectic schedules. Now comes the next important aspect of the year -- New Year's Resolutions.

We can look back over the past year and think of things we would change or do differently. There are the "normal" resolutions (quitting smoking, losing weight, keeping more in touch with family and friends, etc.). The one resolution I always make is to try to experience life to its fullest more than the previous year. Regrets about things not accomplished is what you hear most from people, we all have the power to work towards change if we but put forth effort.

Think of one, maybe even two things you would like to do differently this coming year. Make sure your goal is attainable (obviously, flying to the moon is attainable, but only if you make a LOT of money). Make sure reaching your goal will not make you regret losing other goals (such as gainful employment). 

For your New Year's Eve meal consider the phrase, "Spice up your life!". There are a lot of seasoning blends in the grocery stores, however, they are made of dried herbs and spices that you may already have in your cupboard which could save you time and money when preparing your holiday dishes for family and friends. If you don't have all of these ingredients in your cupboard, I guarantee buying the individual herbs and spices will be cheaper than buying the already prepared seasoning blends with a sodium content added to preserve the blends. 

Enjoy these suggested spice blends for your New Year's feast, be equally as creative with your New Year's resolutions, and Bon Appetit

Seasoning Mix

2 tsp ground red pepper 
1-1/2 tsp salt 
1-1/2 tsp black pepper 
1-1/4 tsp paprika
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp thyme leaves

Mix well and use in your favorite dishes. Store in a zip-loc bag for future use.

Cajun Seasoning Blend

10-1/2 oz 315 g Paprika 
7 oz (210 g) Onion powder 
1 tsp Nutmeg 
2 tsp Cayenne pepper 
1-1/2 tsp Curry powder 
1-1/2 tsp Cumin 
7 oz (210 g) Thyme
10-½ oz (315 g) Garlic powder
10-½ oz (315 g) Oregano
7 oz (210g) Basil
10-½ oz (315 g) Salt
5-¼ oz (158 g) White pepper

Mix together and store in a Zip-loc bag until ready to use in your favorite dishes.

"Good Luck" Jambalaya 
Serves 7

1/2 cup (1 dl) salt pork, julienne 
2 cloves garlic, minced 
1 large onion, chopped 
1 medium green pepper, chopped 
2, 16 oz ( 2, 480 g) cans, black-eyed peas, drained 
2/3 Cup (1-1/3 dl) Bloody Mary Mix
1/3 Cup (2/3 dl) uncooked rice
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
Cooked salad shrimp
Celery leaves

Cook salt pork in a large skillet until golden brown. Add garlic, onion, and green pepper; saute until tender. Add peas, Bloody Mary mix, and rice. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cover. Reduce heat to low and simmer 20 minutes, stirring often. Add raw shrimp, cover, and cook 5 minutes longer. Season to taste with seasoning blend of choice. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with cooked shrimp and celery leaves, if desired. Serve immediately.