I'm just going to say it: I don't love New Year's Eve.
I never have.
For me it's more of a time of reflection than of celebration. I don't usually review what I've accomplished in the last year; rather, I set goals for the new year.
Tonight, I'm getting together with a few close friends for a casual dinner; in fact, a friend of mine said he will cook since I made Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. I couldn't allow myself to do nothing so I thought I'd make a baked artichoke dip -- basically chopped artichokes with a bunch of fat -- and some homemade crostini.
I love crostini. They' so much better than any cracker. I use a ficelle which is a skinny baguette and slice them on an angle which makes the perfect little shovel to scoop up a dip. I just brush them with olive oil, dust them with salt and bake at 375 degrees...
...until they're golden brown.
You got to watch them like a hawk to get them perfect.
These are perfect.
Hot artichoke dip with homemade crostini will be perfect
with a bottle or two of champagne before dinner.
I might even stay in my pajamas.
Whatever you do this evening, I hope you have a safe and happy time.
And I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012!
