1 32 ounce jar of hot cherry peppers
12 chicken parts (legs, thighs and wings)
1 onion, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 – 6 garlic cloves
salt and pepper

1. Oven to 325 degrees
2. In a large baking pan add olive oil, chicken parts, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Toss together well. Then pour half of the hot cherry peppers and juice from the jar over the chicken. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.
3. Turn chicken parts over. (At this point, if you like a very spicy dish, pour the other half of the jar of hot cherry peppers and juice over the top of chicken.) Cook another 30 minutes. (Don’t forget to turn your chicken to brown all sides.)
4. Turn the chicken again and cook for the remaining 30 minutes. Serves 6 to 8 persons
5. Options: Add sausages for variety.
ENJOY – Slow cooking is sooo good and sooo easy.

How about starting the New Year off with a bang! If you like it hot, then you gotta try my friend Jean’s Hot Cherry Pepper Chicken. Jean has had some awesome parties over the years, and I’ve experienced her delightfully delicious chicken several times….it’s a party favorite. This dish practically cooks itself, giving you time to whoop it up with your guests. Why stress out this New Year’s Eve or Day – whip up Jean’s chicken and get ready for the compliments!

New Year’s Eve used to be one of my favorite nights out, a reason to celebrate a good year or distract oneself from a not so good one. Up until about 5 years ago, my husband and I have been welcoming the New Year by going out with family or friends to dinner and sometimes dancing. It is the one night that I looked forward to because it gave me an opportunity to buy something new and shake it on the dance floor!

As we age, we’re not so inclined to put up with the craziness that accompanies those parties, and we appreciate the more subdued atmosphere found in home soirees. One year we were invited to 3 different friends’ homes. Believe it or not, to avoid disappointing anyone, we had appetizers at one house, dinner at another and ended the evening with dessert at the last house. Everyone seemed happy with us making the effort to stop and spend some time with each of them, and we enjoyed them and the fruits of their labors!

For years and years, I had a New Year’s Day Open House. I would make an invitation and put it in everyone’s Christmas card. I tell you, no one turned it down. You could find at least 50 people in my home, and the wonderful food, drink and desserts that they brought with them. It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun.

Several years ago I had the flu during the holiday season, and I had to cancel my Open House. Everyone was so disappointed. Somehow, life started getting super busy and the parties stopped.….

Now I’m thinking about Jean’s Hot Cherry Pepper Chicken again and kicking the year off with a houseful of friends. How about you?