life
/līf/
Existence or state of living with capacity for growth, activity, continual change
Goodbye, 2019…HELLO, 2020!! We’ve been waiting and you’re finally here. What took you so [damn] long??
2019 was …interesting, to say the least, but we pushed through it and survived. Not unscathed but nevertheless. Thinking back [what is it they say…hindsight is 20/20], last year had many challenges that demanded growth & change in me both professionally & personally. Neither were easy to handle and if I’m being completely honest, I’m still a bit bitter of how things proceeded, saddened by the losses & to this day fearful of the consequences of my choices. After all this, 2019 has ultimately made me be honest with myself, defensive of my worth & understand when to accept things that are out of my control. The craziness & frustrations of the past year has brought me into 2020 with a clear understanding [see what I did there??] that there was a need for change & I need to keep growing/changing/adapting into the new year.
All the things that happened, happened in order for me to grow & be better. This year will be a testament to how I will take these lessons learned & put them to practice to be happy & balanced. People may come & go. Some will hurt & disappoint me but now I’m armed & armored against letting it control me.
I will let those that are unworthy of my love, friendship, trust & loyalty to wither in their own unhappiness & insecurities. I will continue to celebrate myself, my love, friends & family and the joy I get from cooking.
With this in mind and strength in our hearts, we move forward!! But not without an annual tradition to keep us happily grounded. At the beginning of every year, after the hustle & bustle of the holidays, we (theCULINARYIST family) hold a post-holiday holiday party to ring in the new year with a group of our closest friends...as many as we can cram into our limited LA apartment. A small thank you to our biggest supporters & fellow food enthusiasts.
here’s a snap shot of our late night brainstorming & taste testing session to perfect the menu
MENU
Assorted Charcuterie Board - thank you to the Lappalainen’s
Teri’s Famous Lasagna
Lee Family Swedish Meatball
Karp’s Homemade Chicken Pot Pie - thank you always to the Karp’s
Beach’s Roasted Brussel Sprouts - thank you to the amazing Beach family
Wild Mushroom & Wild Rice Baked Casserole
Lemon Garlic Sous Vide Chicken Thighs
Sautéd Green Beans w/ cremini mushrooms & caramelized cipollini onions
Cheesy Pesto Mashed Potatoes
Sundried Tomato & Spicy Shrimp
Baked Ritz Cracker Crab Cakes
Multi-colored Cherry Tomato & Basil Salad
and the pièce de résistance - 19 lb. Prime Rib with garlic & dijon butter rub
DESSERTS
Mexican Spiced Dark Chocolate Tart w/ whipped cream & maraschino cherry
Piña Colada Cupcake w/ churro bites & a shot of Kula Rum
a surprise addition - Jolly Rancher shot glasses (from the skills and talents of Ms. Karp)
DRINKS
Assorted liquor
Cranberry Apple Cider Crocktail
check out our video & step into our 2020 life~
They say that what you do on new year’s day is what you’ll be doing for the rest of the year. As this is my first post of the 2020 year for theCULINARYIST, I hope this is a good sign that I will be surrounded by people that I love & cooking amazing meals with friends & family all year long.
Thank you to my test tasters, life cheerleaders & joyful supporters. I, and my own stomach, look forward to cooking for you all again!!
As always, a special shout out to my crew & theCULINARYIST family:
RJ @eatthebus for your skills, your eye and your ability to capture the yumminess
Teri, my fiercest supporter, editor-in-chief and ever amazing sous chef
Onward, fellow foodies, to our next culinary(-ist) adventure,
theCULINARY·IST