Christmas Parties

Well it's that time of year. Lot's of family gatherings, Christmas parties, mailing out/receiving of Christmas cards, eating way too much delicious food... fun, fun, fun!

Last night, Larry and I went to our Annual Christmas Gathering. Larry has a circle of friends that he's grown up with and each year we take turns having our Christmas gathering at each others house. So last night was our 2007 gathering. I made Roman Noodle Salad and Chocolate pie to contribute to the dinner. The salad turned out pretty good but my pie didn't. The pie never set up like it should. So we re-named it "pudding pie".

Our friends, Ryan and Richelle, recently had a baby boy. He is now 4 weeks old. Guess what?! I got to hold him for an hour!! He is so adorable. He slept most of the time. When he was awake he would stretch his neck out like a little turtle and lift his little head to see what was around him. I could've held him all night!

Here is the recipes that I made:

Broccoli and Ramen Noodle Salad
Serves 10

1 2/3 (16oz) pkg broccoli coleslaw mix (or regular coleslaw mix)
3 1/4 (3oz) pkg chicken flavor ramen noodles
1 2/3 bunches greens onions-chopped
1 2/3 c almond slivers
1 2/3 c sunflower seeds
3/4 c and 1 Tbsp and 1 tsp white sugar
1/3 c and 1 Tbsp and 1 tsp virgin oliver oil (or vegetable oil)
1/2 c and 1 Tbsp cider vinegar

Directions:
-In a large bowl, combine the slaw, broken noodles and green onions.

-Whisk together the sugar, oil, vinegar and ramen seasoning packets. Pour over salad and toss to evenly coat. Refrigerate until chilled, top with almonds and sunflower seeds before serving.

Chocolate Pie
Serves 8

1 (9in) pie crust, baked
3/4 c white sugar
1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 c milk
3 eggs yolks, beaten
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted

Directions:
-In a medium micro-wave safe bowl, combine sugar, flour and cocoa. Mix well. While stirring, slowly pour in milk. Mix until smooth.

-Microwave cocoa mixture in 1 minute increments, stirring after each increment. Continue until mixture thickens, about 7 minutes.

-Slowly pour egg yolks into cocoa mixture, whisking rapidly until yolks are incorporated. Stir in vanilla extract and butter or margarine. Pour filling into baked pie shell. Chill before serving. Store in fridge.