Happy New Year!! This is my first blog of 2016. What better way to start the year off than by talking about what I did on New Year's Day. Last year's New Year's Day Pizza Party was such a success that I decided (or rather my family not so subtly suggested) we do it again this year. I love cooking for my family and friends-I just don't always have the time to do it. This party was the perfect excuse to have everyone over to see our new apartment . Yes we moved, again... My brother suggested Asian food this time and I thought, why not? Originally, I was only going to make egg drop soup and fried rice. But somehow, egg rolls got added to the mix. Then, my boyfriend, who doesn't like either of these dishes, asked if could make chow mien and firecracker chicken (it is New Year's Day, after all). Suddenly, my small menu, turned into an Asian feast. But I wasn't worried, so what that I had never made Lumpia (Filipino egg rolls) or Firecracker chicken from scratch. Challenge accepted! Thinking ahead, I bought all the ingredients a couple days early (yay me!). I did NOT want to be in the grocery store on New Year's Eve. Number 1: it's always super crowded and number 2: NYE is a regular work day for me. The last thing I want to do go to the store after a long day of work. I also managed to cook the rice and make the filing for the Lumpia on New Year's Eve. I slept in a bit longer than I planned on the big day, which meant I got a late start on cooking. Still, I thought I was making good time. Boy was I wrong! First, it took me a little over an hour to roll all the lumpia. In hindsight, I should have done that the day before. Second, I had never made Firecracker chicken or Chow Mein. The recipes were new for me so it was slow getting through all the steps. Before I was even halfway through cooking, everyone started to arrive. Luckily, there was wine, good conversations and t.v. to keep everyone occupied while I prepared the rest of the food. Two hours later, it was time to eat! Everything was delicious! The Egg Drop Soup and Fried Rice are my own recipe. The Firecracker Chicken and the Panda Express Chow Mein were from Damn Delicious! I found the recipe for the Lumpia from my favorite YouTube vlog here. After our bellies were full, it was game time. What game did we choose? Taboo! If you haven't played it before, here's how it works: You pick a card. On the top of the card is the word you must get your team to guess. However, under that word are several words you can't use to describe said word. If you say these "taboo" words, you don't get a point. Loads of fun and tons of laughter! Then it was time for a little something sweet. My brother and sister-in-law brought over Lemon Tarts from a local french bakery. Not only were they cute, they were some good. They tasted like lemonade one of those frozen lemonades you get from the theme parks. The 2nd annual New Year's Day party was a success. Everyone left full, happy and with leftovers. Now, what should I make next year?
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