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Show DECEMBER 27, 2000 fee Made eee WASATCH COUNTY COURIER Ba and Crudites _ Champagne - - KIRSTEN SHAW | ‘a ew Year’s Eve is universal, celebrated in more countries than any other holiday. This is. the one night ‘mon or candied ginger. Children swarm to Shirley Temples, an easy combination of _grenadine and lemon-lime soda garnished ‘withacherry. To ensure you and your guests enjoy the evening, prepare easy-to-eat hors d’oeu- wish. Unfortunately, planning a féte to salute a fresh beginning after more than a month of holidays can bring less delightful visions than sugarplums to mind. Why not deck the vres accompanied by a bar where they can halls in style, but keep it simple, with fabu- pour their own drinks. All of the menu items can be prepared in a few simple steps lous effervescents and delectable dishes. To many, New Year’s Eve would not be and _ TET. Ul . | I devilish vin du diable in the late 17th century when a second fermentation caused bubbles, which was thought to be the work of Satan. The ebullient drink has concocted fairy tales throughout the centuries. French monk Dom Pérignon did not invent champagne, although some claim he blessed the beverage when he exclaimed he was drinking stars. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier © and Chardonnay are the grapes used in French champagne. Pinot Noir, with low tannin levels, offers structure and rich fruit. Pinot Meunier, a dependable grape popular in Champagne, is lighter with an intense bouquet. Chardonnay, susceptible to frost due to its early budding, adds finesse and mineral notes. Blanc de. blancs wines are purely Chardonnays, while blanc de noirs contain black grapes. Many countries, naniely the United States, Italy, Australia‘and Spain, now produce sparkling wines similar to French | EOL parison. Domestic sparkling wines are usu- OEIC Champagne Cocktail ob hanemenes or Angostura Bitters _ Lemon, peeled for garnishing LI UM ae! i ie: wine, chilled. Cubes | aa a sugar cube iin te dileens flute. ‘Add two dashes of bitter. Pour champagne and garnish glass with lemon peel. FOR VARIETY, ADD ONE OF THE _ FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS: Passion fruit juice _ Sugar-covered cranberries Raspberries Grand Marnier and baa Juice ; by Kirsten Shaw hace complex and sparkling cider, ginger syrup and cinna- you can pull out all stops, or corks if you champagnes, and the prices pale in com- though fruit, would he a aoe tfinalet to the yearend event. To prepare a medium-sized serving of California, Washington, Oregon and Australian sparklers tend to be fruity ang. | - scallops, boil one cup of orange juice in a saucepan on medium heat for approximateripe-tasting. | ly five minutes until reduced and slightly ~ New Year’s Eve can be oe sans syrupy. Remove from heat and add two alcohol. A good virgin drink might be an tablespoons sugar.anda teaspoon of cornapple ginger sparkler, made with hot COURIER STAFF complete without a glass of champagne. The vin de dieu, or “wine of god,” becamea stokes intense than their French counterparts. allow the decadent ingredients to speak for themselves. An elegant but light menu might include sliced apples topped with goat cheese, fennel and roasted hazelnut salad with an orange vinaigrette and stilton served with caramelized figs and walnuts. Smoked salmon on crostini with fresh chives or seared scallops with an orange sauce pair well with sparkling beverages. Apple tarts, a cheese selection and panet‘tone, an Italian sweet bread with dried starch. In a heavy pan at medium, heat about two tablespoons of olive oil and add the scallops. Sauté each side for a few minutes until opaque. Add the sauce, boil and remove. Season with zest from an orange — and a touch of allspice. Festive? Try chanterelle ee in a champagne sauce. In a saucepan in medium heat, quickly sauté the fungi with butter. Remove the mushrooms and add about a cup of champagne or sparkling wine to the pan, which will contain water released. by the chanterelles. Reduce, then add a bit more champagne to deglaze the pan and reduce again. Add some cream, slowly, and allow sauce to thicken. Reintroduce the mushrooms, add a dash of white pepper and salt, and serve. — | Hopefully, this menu will make your celebration merry rather than arduous. Best | wishes to you and your —— on this eve of the new year. |