Parmesan Artichoke Crisps

Parmesan Artichoke Crisps

2 egg whites, at room temperature
1¼-inch thick slice of prosciutto
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 15-ounce jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 4-ounce jar diced pimento
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 long French baguette, sliced into 24 thin slices, lightly toasted

Beat the egg whites with the whisk attachment of your mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

Fry the prosciutto with a touch of olive oil in a small sauté pan until lightly browned. Dice into small pieces. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, artichokes, pimentos, Parmesan and prosciutto. Carefully fold egg whites into mixture.

Place bread slices on a baking sheet and spoon a dollop of the artichoke mixture onto each slice. Sprinkle a little more Parmesan on top of each.

Broil for about 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling. Serve hot and toasty.

Well, here we are again. Another year gone by, and I honestly didn't see it coming. They say time flies when you're having fun. If that's true, then 2011 must have been one heckuva nonstop party!

I don't usually make many New Year's resolutions. Been there, done that. I find that I usually break most of them by the end of January, and then spend the rest of the year beating myself up over it. Who needs that kind of pressure? Instead, I try to set a few goals that I want to achieve, and work toward them in small, realistic increments. I probably won't be making pre-dawn visits to the gym, but I might take my sweet golden retriever for an extra walk around the block from time to time.

One resolution I actually try to keep is to be a little kinder to myself. So often, we expect much more from ourselves than we do from others in our lives. I have to really work hard to convince myself that I can't be all things to all people. It's slow-going, but I highly recommend it.

I also highly recommend whipping up a batch of these creamy, cheesy, crunchy and delicious Parmesan Artichoke Crisps for your New Year's Eve celebration. They're a wonderful nosh, whether passed on trays at a cocktail party or nestled on a buffet table. Plus, they're a snap to make.

This New Year's Eve as I watch the ball drop in Times Square, I'll be curled up on my couch and wrapped in fleece. I'll also be munching on some Parmesan Artichoke Crisps between sips of cold, crisp Champagne — another thing I highly recommend.

Here's wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. May 2012 bring you all you ever dreamed of.