New Year's Eve Fried Celebration

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

I am looking forward to the year of 2012.  I feel like the past couple years have been mediocre.  Some really great things have happened, some really crappy things, and a lot of nothing.  Some of it out of my control some of it not.  I am ready for a bit of excitement or a change up.  Let's just hope it happens, whether it's a happy accident or by my own creation.  So far, the year is off to a good start.  Our New Year's Eve party was awesome.  

Invitation (Background)

Champagne Tower. Serious business.

Some of us decided we didn't want to spend and insane amount of money at a bar and no, we would never, ever consider going to Time Square.  So we decided to host our own party split between my and my neighbors apartment.   We wanted to keep it simple since most of us would be return to New York on the 30th or 31st and didn't want to spend too much money.  We also knew we needed a champagne tower.  It was great, especially since we were all sure that tower was going to make a mess.  We also had a New Year's Resolution Board for people to write their resolutions on.  By the end of the night we had some pretty good range of resolutions, some serious, some not so serious. 

Now on to the food: 

Champagne Cupcakes & Jello Shots

Since the party was not starting till late, we stuck to finger foods and simple snacks.  My lovely co-hosts made Champagne Cupcakes, Champagne Jello Shots, (she used 1 cup of water and 2.5 cups of champagne), and a delicious spinach dip.  Since my roommate enjoys frying things, we made sure he was going to be around to provide us with some tasty treats like Fried Oreos, Fried Twinkies and Hush Puppies.  Somehow we did not make it to the twinkies and they are now waiting for their chance in the fridge and did fry deviled eggs.  I did not try those. 

Will frying away. 

I fully admit that Will (roommate) was completely responsible for the finding the Fried Oreo and Hush Puppy recipes and making them.  They were sooo good.  The next morning when we found out that one of our friends decided to help Will make the batter for the oreos and made his own contribution of beer.  Not quite sure how much, but if you want try it, pour a bit in.  This would also probably be good in the hush puppies.  

Fried Oreos

about 39 servings- one cookie each

mmm

• 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying 
• 1 large egg 
• 1 cup milk 
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 
• 1 cup pancake mix
• 1  package Oreos
• a bit of beer (optional)
• powdered sugar

1. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F. 
2. Whisk together the egg, milk, and 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a bowl until smooth. 
3. Stir in the pancake mix until no dry lumps remain.  Add beer.
4. Dip the cookies into the batter one at a time, and carefully place into the hot frying oil. 
5. Fry only 4 or 5 at a time to avoid overcrowding the deep fryer. Cook until the cookies are golden-brown, about 2 minutes. 
6. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.  Once cooled slightly, sprinkle with powdered sugar. 

Hush Puppies  

the true thing should never be perfectly shaped:)

about 35 puppies  

• 6 cups peanut oil 
• 1 1/2 cups self-rising cornmeal 
• 1/2 cup self-rising flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1 small onion, chopped 
• 1 cup buttermilk 
• 1 egg, lightly beaten 

1. Using a deep pot, preheat oil for frying to 350 degrees F.
2. Using a mixing bowl, stir together the cornmeal, flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the onion. 
3. In a small bowl, stir together the buttermilk and egg. 
4. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until blended. 
5. Drop the batter, 1 teaspoon at a time, into the oil. 
6. Dip the spoon in a glass of water after each hush puppy is dropped in the oil. Fry until golden brown, turning the hushpuppies during the cooking process.
7. Let drain and cool slightly on a paper towel before serving. 

Enjoy!