NEW YEAR'S EVE
DINNER AT HOME
Nothing beats staying home with family on New Year's Eve. This year was special because we celebrated a family members birthday and my daughter played Happy Birthday on the acoustic guitar. That plus many laughs and a little champagne kept me up almost until midnight. Celebrations in Hawaii are somewhat subdued as they have banned fireworks unless you buy a permit. We did not get a permit and it turns out most stores sold out of fireworks. There were a few pops here and there but nothing like other years when the skies of Honolulu shine bright with bottle rockets and some pretty spectacular home fireworks. We were blessed to enjoy an incredible meal that incorporated many of our family favorites. Started with some super fresh Ahi Sashimi which is a "must have" tradition in all Hawaii homes on New Year's Eve. The Sashimi was bright red and silky. Melted in your mouth like butter. Dip this in a mixture of Soy Sauce and Wasabi and it is food heaven. Next up was some Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella and Warm Smoked Pork that a friend gave us. Incredible flavor in the meat. Tasted like candy. The Jumbo Tiger Prawns were big and full of flavor. Served up with some Cocktail Sauce with Horseradish to give it a kick. A family favorite is always Gyoza. Pork and Vegetable Dumplings served with a Soy Sauce base dipping sauce. The Prosciutto Wrapped Pears were light, refreshing and delicious. Perfect way to end the appetizer round before our gourmet dinner that included a small Filet Mignon, Lobster Tail, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Broccoli with Hollandaise Sauce. Wow…..this was pretty much a perfect meal. Did not get a photo of the dessert, but it was a sinful Hawaii Mud Pie with rich and creamy coffee ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped creme and a Graham Cracker crust. Last I remember on this night was sitting next to my wife and daughter and they were smiling from ear to ear while watching a video on the computer. Those smiles and laughter are a blessing and what I want to remember going into this new year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 |
PETITE FILET OF BEEF, LOBSTER TAIL, GARLIC MASHED POTATOES AND
BROCCOLI WITH HOLLANDAISE SAUCE |
 |
| SEVEN FRUITS IS A SIGN FOR GOOD LUCK IN NEW YEAR |
 |
| FRESH AHI SASHIMI IS A TRADITION ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IN HAWAII |
 |
| SMOKED PORK FROM MOLOKAI IN CENTER WITH MOZZARELLA WRAPPED IN PROSCIUTTO |
 |
| JUMBO TIGER PRAWNS WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE WITH HORSERADISH |
 |
| PORK AND VEGETABLE GYOZA WITH DIPPING SAUCE |
 |
| PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED PEARS |
