New Year's Eve Late Night Supper

Creamy Winter Squash Soup



Lobster Tails Sautéed in Butter

Scalloped Potatoes

Sautéed Spinach with Garlic



Angel Food Cake Layered
in Chocolate Cream

This is an easy, elegant and delicious menu that will impress your guests but requires minimal effort. If making your own cake, bake it two days ahead, cool, cover and store at room temperature. One day ahead, prepare the soup as indicated in the recipe and finish the dessert so it can chill overnight. On New Year's Eve morning, remove the shells from the lobster and return the tails to the refrigerator. If necessary, clean the spinach, pat dry and refrigerate. Set the table early in the day. About 2 hours before dinner, assemble the scalloped potatoes and bake as indicated in the recipe. Finish the soup and serve as a first course. Sauté the lobster tails and spinach while guests finish the soup and serve with the potatoes. End the meal with the dessert. With this menu, you can relax and enjoy the day.

New Year's Eve Party Buffet

Assorted Hors d'oeuvres, Spreads, Dips,
Toasts and Chips

Assorted Cheese and Crackers

Party Sandwiches
or
Deli Tray with Mini Sandwich Buns
and Condiments



Pickled Vegetables and Olives

Assorted Cookies
and/or Pastries

Assorted Beverages

My favorite New Year's Eve presentation is a buffet of finger foods that can be nibbled on throughout the evening. Choose several homemade hors d'oeuvres, dips and spreads from the links, then add a few of your favorite store-bought items. Many hors d'oeuvres can be made ahead and reheated. Dips and spreads can be refrigerated, then brought to room temperature as needed. See the recipes for details. Party sandwiches are delicious and can be made the day before, storing as indicated. Alternately, present a platter of deli meats and cheeses with rolls and condiments. If desired, purchase pastries from the bakery to serve with, or in place of, Christmas cookies remaining from holiday baking. For large parties, include beer, red and white wines, and several liquors for mixed drinks. You will need soft drinks and coffee for the children and designated drivers, as well as champagne for toasting at midnight.

New Year's Day Pennsylvania Dutch
'Good Luck' Dinner

Roasted Bone-in Pork Loin

Sauerkraut

Mashed Potatoes

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Southern Black-Eyed Peas

Buttermilk Cornbread



Mom's Apple Cobbler
served with
optional vanilla ice cream

My Pennsylvania Dutch heritage dictates that pork and sauerkraut be included in the New Year's Day dinner. For extra luck, I add a few southern dishes that conveniently complement the meal. The cornbread can be prepared the day before or up to one month ahead and frozen as directed in the recipe. Make the cobbler the day before, cool, cover and refrigerate. The sweet potatoes can be assembled the day before and refrigerated. New Year's Day morning, the black-eyed peas can be cooked and refrigerated, then reheated in the microwave to save space on the stovetop. Before dinner, set out the cobbler to come to room temperature. Roast the pork, cook the sauerkraut, bake the sweet potatoes, make the mashed potatoes and cook or reheat the black-eyed peas according to the recipes, which sounds like a lot but is very simple. Make the optional gravy while the roast is resting. That is it. Enjoy, have a happy day and good luck for the new year!