Happy New Year!  I can’t believe it is 2013 already, where did 2012 go?  Well, upward and onward – I am looking forward to see what the new year will bring.  I have certainly enjoyed being on vacation, and can’t believe I have to head back to work tomorrow.

So – I have been thinking a lot about what I am going to do differently in 2013 – and I decided that my resolution is to simplify.  I think I have said this before – but this time I mean it.  I am still not sure how I am going to achieve this goal – but I have to try.  I feel like my life is a constant marathon – I am always exhausted, never caught up – and know that I have miles to go before I am done.  As I am writing this, I am thinking about the 10 other things I should be doing.  I don’t want to give up the things I love doing, but again, maybe I can think differently about how to get them done.  It is only the 1st, I have 364 days to make this happen – but I have to look at each day and think about one thing I can do that will make things simpler for the future.

I have posted popovers before, and I swear, I can’t figure out why I don’t make them more often.  They are so ridiculously easy to make, and you can actually prepare the batter the day before!  These were something else – I scarfed down two of them in an instant.  I found the original recipe in Bon Appetit, but adapted slightly below. The girls also loved them, and they went great with the Lentil Soup I made for dinner.  They made our New Year’s Day dinner just a little more special.  And, do you want to know a little secret?  I only made half the batch tonight – and saved the rest of the batter for tomorrow night’s dinner – wow, I am already making good on my resolution to simplify – it doesn’t get any better than that!

And for those of you really paying attention, you will notice this is a different picture from last night…that is because they looked a little different the 2nd night, and just as delicious.  These look a little more authentic, so I decided to switch the picture…

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups whole  milk
• 5 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, divided

Preparation

Whisk the first 4 ingredients in  a medium bowl. Whisk eggs and milk in a large bowl until well blended. Gently whisk in flour mixture, followed by 3 tablespoons of melted butter (do not  overmix).

DO AHEAD: Batter can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

Preheat oven to 425°. With the rest of the butter, grease 12 standard muffin cups with 1/2 teaspoons melted butter each. Pour batter into prepared muffin tins, filling cups three-quarters full  and dividing equally. Bake popovers until puffed, golden brown, and crispy around edges, 30-35 minutes. Using a thin knife or an offset spatula, remove popovers from pan. Serve immediately.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here:  Chive and Black Pepper Popovers