I’m not normally a think-ahead type of gal. It’s hard for me to cook a Easter feast 2 weeks before the holiday. But I understand how recipe searching goes – people want to browse recipes BEFORE the holiday to get ideas on what to cook ON the holiday!

I’ve been in the kitchen, pretending it’s Easter and cookin’ up some fantastic ham recipes. The first recipe that I want to share is a Easter ham dinner for 2 people. My in-laws are always asking for recipes scaled down for two, so this is a perfect one for them.

Instead of buying a big gigantic ham – which for 2 people would last them probably 3 years – buy individual ham steaks. I like to give the ham steaks a good sear on both sides and then top it off with a fruity, rum-my glaze.

And because so many of you asked in the comments, the side dish that I have is zucchini and carrot strands. Oh my goodness, I can’t wait to do this, but we’re going to whip back in time and I’m in a link back to a vintage Steamy Kitchen post for that recipe.

This is from a time long, long ago, before I even knew how to use a camera. There, I giving you ample warning.

The zucchini spaghetti looks alien.

Photo from The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook

My blog would not be complete without mention of one of my kids’ favorite dessert in the whole wide world, Chocolate Wontons. In fact, the site serves as my family’s visual menu of sorts, my kids will click through the site and point at dishes they want to have for dinner. Which is why you don’t see any photos of McDonald’s, Burger King or Bob Evans, the chain restaurant that serves the world’s best gummable food — hey, I live in Florida where 45% of the population is old, retired or have no teeth.

But, I digress. Where was I? Oh yes, chocolate.

You can get all fancy and put your favorite, most expensive dark chocolate truffle in the middle of these wontons. The combo of the sweet sprinkle the powder sugar, crackly crisp fried wonton skin and the warm, melty, oozing chocolate will send you straight to blissdom.

Or, go ghetto like us and just stick a piece of Hershey’s Kiss in there and call it “The Bestest Dessert In the Whole Wide World” according to my kids.

The recipe is flexible, if you really can call a recipe. I’ve adapted this fried wonton dessert for Thanksgiving with Sweet Pumpkin Fried Wontons and even made them with strawberry preserves topped with whipped cream for Mother’s Day. The lovely members of The Daring Kitchen even made them!

Want to know how to make Chocolate Wontons? Watch the short video!

If you know me,  and I hope by now you do, I’m never one to even waste precious chewing energy on a boring salad. I have friends who will enjoy even the most plain salad consisting of one variety of lettuce and a glop of salad dressing from a gallon sized vessel bought at a warehouse store, meant for school cafeteria use.

But this BLT salad, with joyful bacon confetti, is one that I could probably eat several times a week. If you don’t make the homemade  buttermilk dressing yourself, there are only really five ingredients:  lettuce, bacon, tomatoes, bread and dressing.

Oh, and another great thing (as if you needed another) – the bacon and the croutons bake together in harmony on the same baking sheet.

Secretly, I could have gone even without a dressing — a secret drizzle of bacon drippings all over the salad and a  a squeeze of lemon would have been just fine. But the homemade buttermilk dressing, which came together in less than 15 seconds, really made this salad over the top.

This vegetarian omelet (or omelette to be fancy) is savory, rich with a creamy tomato basil sauce.

And there’s not one ounce of cream.

In fact, this breakfast is certified healthy, i.e. it’s a recipe directly from the chefs at the famous Rancho La Puerta, where they know how to make healthy taste goooooood.

recipe for Rancho La Puerta’s vegetarian omelet at Steamy Kitchen on TLC.

The Chinese calendar isn’t as straightforward and predictable as the Western (Gregorian) calendar. The length of a month isn’t always 30…um…31…no…29…or 28 days.

Okay, okay, so both calendars are kinda screwy.

But what I meant was that Western New Years is always called January 1st. Chinese or Lunar New Year falls on a different day every year, anytime between January 20th to Feburary 19th, depending on the sun and moon cycles.

This year, it just so happens that that Chinese New Year is on Feburary 14th, 2010, which means you can take Valentine’s Day off as a paid holiday. Well, that is, if you celebrate Lunar New Year….but I promise….I won’t tell your boss.

The Chinese are highly superstitious, especially with food. Honestly it’s quite complicated, and rather than risk an entire year of good fortune (i.e. nixing the possibility winning $76 million in the lottery), I play it safe. I eat what’s on the list.

So wanna know what’s on the list?

I know it’s V-day on February 14th, so if you’re celebrating the day of love with cutesy hearts and fondue, perhaps you can do a combo-dinner (Chinese fondue anyone?) or even celebrate Chinese New Year a little early. I’ve got a list of simple recipes for your Chinese New Year feast to ensure you a prosperous, healthy and happy year of the Tiger.

Chinese New Year Recipes

What to eat for Chinese New Year for maximum health, happiness and prosperity!

	Mom’s Famous Crispy Egg Rolls – to bring on wealth
	Chinese Whole Steamed Fish – for having “more than enough” this coming year
	Garlic Brandy Prawns - for happiness
	Chinese Tea Eggs – for wealth
	100 Blossoms – to wish you a blossoming and beautiful beginning in the new year.
	Pork and Shrimp Potstickers – recipe from Andrea Nguyen to represent gold ingots.
	Broccoli Beef Noodle Stir Fry – for long life (don’t cut the noodles – leave them long!)

And if you want more Chinese New Year recipes, head over to Rasa Malaysia and Lily’s Wai Sek Hong!

What’s on your menu for Chinese New year?