New Year's Eve Recipes

Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2 sticks of butter
½ cup plus 2 Tbls. sugar
3 eggs
3yolks
1/4 cup flour
Optional: ice cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter four 4-ounce custard cups. In double boiler, melt chocolate and then whisk in butter. Stir in sugar. In a small bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add some chocolate mixture to eggs to temper eggs. Carefully, stir egg mixture into chocolate mixture. Add flour and combine completely. Add batter to custard cups. Place on baking sheet and bake for 14 minutes. Centers should be soft but sides should be done. Let cool slightly, invert cups on individual serving plates. Remove cups after 2 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream.

The clock is ticking, you still have presents to wrap, last minute grocery shopping, who has time to think about the New Year's Eve menu? Well, I can help out, you have one week left to indulge! The Cookermom is taking full advantage, so here are some favorite recipes to enjoy on New Year's Eve. It is my tradition to make cheese fondue for an appetizer, make sure not to substitute the cheeses. The other appetizer I included is the tuna-tini, use fresh ahi tuna, it is absolutely addictive and very impressive served in a martini glass (I purchased mini ones from World Market). The salad is a the classic wedge, who doesn't love the wedge, a recent holiday party at Gibson's confirmed that when I noticed nearly everyone ordered "the wedge", so easy to make and a great do ahead salad that you can have already plated. The entree is my stuffed pork tenderloin, I have included a before and after photo, just reading the recipe may make it difficult to visualize. Dessert is molten chocolate lava cakes, I have take quite a bit of time perfecting this recipe, I think you will agree when you look at my photo of the chocolate perfectly oozing out. Enjoy the recipes, e-mail me if you have any questions. Have a wonderful New Year everyone! Happy Cooking!