|
New Year's Eve Dinner Menu I
Baby Leaf Spinach Salad with Orange Slices and Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette
Zuppa di Fagioli con la Pasta
(Italian Pasta and Bean Soup)
Garlic Bread
Angel Food Cake with Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting
Preparation Notes: This is one of my favorite casual late night suppers. I first made it on a whim, when one of my New Year's Eve guests requested it. The meal turned out to be quite festive. The soup was served out of a large tureen. Pasta and Bean soup is very hearty and requires several hours to make. However, it can be made a couple days ahead, but don't add the pasta until you reheat and serve. If you are making your own cake, make it the day before. Frost it and refrigerate up to several hours before serving. The salads can be assembled and the garlic bread toasted while the soup finishes cooking. Serve the salad as a first course or with the soup.
[ Back to Index ]
New Year's Eve Dinner Menu II
Tossed Greens with Tomatoes, Onions and Basil Vinaigrette
Braised Lamb Shanks with Vegetables and Orzo
Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar and Parmesan Cheese
Spiced Tapioca Pudding
served with
Swiss Almond Cookies
Preparation notes: Lamb shanks are a delicious and festive presentation for a holiday meal. They take about three hours to braise in the oven, but you are free most of that time to do other things, like enjoy your guests. The cookies can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for several weeks or frozen for several months. Make the tapioca the day before and refrigerate. That morning, clean the Brussels sprouts and refrigerate until needed. Start the lamb shanks about 3-1/2 hours before dinner. Assemble the salads and serve as a first course. In the meantime, cook the sprouts. If desired, let the pudding come to room temperature in individual serving bowls. Add the orange slices before serving with the cookies.
[ Back to Index ]
New Year's Eve Party Buffet
Hors d'oeuvres, Spreads, Dips, Toasts and Chips
Meat and Cheese Tray
or
Party Sandwiches
Assorted Pickles
Condiments
Assorted Cookies
Assorted Beverages
Preparation notes: Perhaps my favorite presentation for New Year's Eve is a spread of finger foods that can be nibbled on through the evening. You can choose some hors d'oeuvres, dips and spreads to make, but take some help from the store and purchase a few items that you know are as good as homemade. Many hors d'oeuvres can be made ahead and reheated. See the recipes for details. Dips and spreads can be made ahead, refrigerated, then brought to room temperature as needed. For larger parties, include a platter of various sliced deli meats and cheeses with rolls or bread and condiments for sandwiches. For smaller gatherings, the party sandwiches are delicious and can be made the day before if stored as indicated in the recipes. I always have enough Christmas cookies to serve through the season, but you can purchase extra bite-sized pastries from the bakery. Beverage choices depend on the number of people attending, as well as the duration of the event. For large parties, include beer, red and white wines, and several liquors for mixed drinks. Don't forget soft drinks and coffee for the designated drivers, as well as champagne for toasting.
[ Back to Index ]
New Year's Day 'Good Luck' Dinner
Succulent Pork Roast
Sauerkraut
Mashed Potatoes
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Chunky Cooked Apples
Black-Eyed Peas
Cooked Collard Greens
Cornbread
Cottage Cheese Pie
Preparation Notes: My Pennsylvania Dutch heritage dictates that pork and sauerkraut be included in the New Year's Day dinner. However, I included some dishes for my southern friends that go very well with the meal. Make the pie, cornbread and apples the day before, cover and refrigerate. The sweet potatoes can be prepared and assembled the day before and chilled. That day, all you need to do is roast the pork, cook the sauerkraut, bake the sweet potatoes, cook the peas, collard greens and mashed potatoes, which sounds like a lot but is quite easy. If desired, place the foil-wrapped cornbread in the oven to warm slightly. The apples can be served cold or room temperature. If you are making a gravy, do that while the roast rests, keeping the other side dishes warm on the stove or in a warm oven. That's it. Enjoy, have a happy new year, and good luck!
[ Back to Index ]
|