As 2010 quickly approaches, I want to wish everyone of you a Very Healthy and Happy New Year! A good friend of mine says “health is wealth” and that is so true and most important, but I can’t help wishing for just a little prosperity to go along with it!
Just a few ideas in case you want to add some other things to your New Year’s Eve table. I know its cold, but pull out your grill pan and grill up some eggplant slices, all your grilling can be done the night before. There’s still time!
Layer each slice with some roasted red pepper, a mixture of feta and herbed cream cheese, you can even use goat cheese if you like, top each slice with spinach or arugula, and then just roll them up and stick a skewer in each one.
A little drizzle of olive oil over the top, and you have a delicious combination!
Keep your grill pan out and make some Spiedini Di Mozzarella. Take 3 slices of a good quality country loaf or sourdough bread, brush each slice with olive oil, stack them on top of each other and place a slice of fresh mozzarella between each layer. Now cut the stack into quarters, and into each quarter stick one rosemary sprig. Grill until the bread is toasted and the cheese melts. Serve with your favorite pesto for dipping.
You can’t go wrong with Portobella Pizzas either! After cleaning and scraping out the gills of each mushroom, place them for 5 minutes on each side under your broiler until they become tender. Then fill them with whatever you like, I used Italian sausage that was already browned, and tomatoes. Top them with some fresh mozzarella and place back under the broiler a couple of minutes until the cheese turns golden brown. Vegetarian options are just as delicious, you can even quarter them and also serve with skewers.Have a safe holiday and see you all next year!
I’m Marie, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and gramma of two beautiful girls. My passion is food, clear and simple but especially Italian food, hence the name of my blog, Proud Italian Cook. I want you to feel right at home here so grab a cup of coffee, I’ll get the pastries, take a look around and enjoy your visit! {
I’ve never cooked with portobellos before — they seem like the King of mushrooms, which can be daunting. This recipe sounds delicious, and I’m always looking for a way to cut down on carbs while still being able to enjoy my Italian favorites. I’m going to give this a try. Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy New Year to you too!!
These little delicacies sound so devine!
Simply amazing…Happy New Year to you – looks good!
Happy New Year Marie…a wonderful spread for in between cocktails and schmoozing.
Rats…I read this post after New Year’s Eve…what great ideas for finger foods. Well there’s always next year, heck, why wait, these look good any time of the year, eh?
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Happy New Year to you too…hope you had a great holiday season…your nibbles look absolutely delicious…what a nice way to start a new year 🙂
Great ideas and look god for anytime. Best of everything to you in 2010.
The Portobella pizza and Spiedini Di mozerella have all my attention … actually the eggplant wrap too :p
Its always such a treat to come n drop by here.
Wishing you a fabulous 2010 😀
Happy New Year to you and your family. May this year bring lots of happiness.
Cheers,
elra
Those eggplant wraps would be really nice appetizers for any party! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Marie!! I could easily take a seat at your table, everything looks so awesome!!!
Happy New Year Marie! Everything you make looks so fresh and delightful. I am so excited each time that I see one of your new posts. You are so talented! Thank you for sharing so many great ideas this year. Wishing you a happy, healthy 2010!
Happy New Year! Too bad I didn’t see this post until today, because we did tapas style bites on NYE and these would have fit right in. Looks like you’ve had a great holiday season. I’ll toast to health and prosperity!
I want the grilled eggplants rolled in cheese… and the portobella pizzas and all. Buon Anno! Peace, Love and a little prosperity wouldn’t hurt at all.
This looks just delicious!
I so missed this post, in the flurry of the last few days. All I can say is… “I love these. I want these. I’m making these. You are awesome.”
Happy New Year, Marie. I’ll be watching the healthy and tasty recipes you will be posting.
Hugs,
Debby
Health, prosperity, peace, love and happiness too!
Happy New Year Marie!
LL
Lovely array of appetizers. Wishing you much happiness and good health in the new year.
Sam
Felice Anno Nuovo, Marie! I hope your 2010 is filled with many wonderful and delicious adventures!
These are lovely, Marie! Happy New Year to you and yours!
Those eggplant skewers are insanely festive looking. We’re hanging out at home this year but I’m filing those away for the next party I plan.
Happy New Year!
Those grilled eggplant roll ups look soooo good, Marie. And portobello pizza’s…too good to resist.
Best wishes to you and your family for a healthy and prosperous 2010.
Buon Anno !! You’ll be going out with a bang for sure. I’ve got a stomach flu but I’ll try them as soon as we get over it!
The spiedini really appeals to all of my senses. Have a safe and foodie-filled New year!!!
Happy New Year Marie… Those look simply delish!!! Hopefully I will be making them soon.
(((HUGS)))
Donna
Marie – My only problem with you is that we don’t live near each. One of these days I’m going to make my pilgrimmage to Proud Italian Cook’s home to taste these goodies first hand. Another great post. Buon Anno!
It all sounds wonderful! Portobella Pizzas, love that idea!
A very happy new year to you and yours!
So much for the schpeel about eating salads, eh? haha!
I love ya, kiddo! Have a very Happy New Year.
Maryann
I know who says “health is wealth!”.
ME!
Love that saying. So true.
Happy New Year my friend.
xxoo Stace
lol, I’ve detoxed enough for 2009 I’m off to make those Spiedini Di Mozzarella tonight, that leaves tomorrow for the eggplant and the mushrooms, see it’s all about the planning. I know I’ve said it before Marie but I thank you and my hubby thanks you too!. We hope all your wishes come true in 2010, hugs, Kathy.
Marie you make me wish I had a grill feature on my stove!
I make portobella pizzas all the time –i actually leave the gills on as they don’t bother us. We love them stuffed with sauteed spinach and then topped with a tomato slice and some mozzarella
cheese. Very filling!
Happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
P.S. I was so overwhelmed that I forgot to wish you a Happy 2010!
Wow can’t believe that’ll be the date….
I wish I were doing some New Year’s Eve nibbling at your house. Everything looks so fresh and delicious. A happy and prosperous New Year to you. I so enjoy your blog.
Dang woman! How come you don’t live next door?- I’d be right over!
xoxox