New Year’s doesn’t always have to be a big, glittering party. Looking at the last 365 days of a year deserves to be marked with something special, doesn’t it? Ring in the new year with a belly full of oysters, a spicy Chex blend, champagne truffles and a special cocktail. Applause!
The one and I have never been big on New Year’s Eve. We’ve never thrown a party and I don’t recall ever attending one. And we shake our heads at people enduring hours of freezing cold for a 10-second countdown in Times Square.
We prefer to sit under a blanket on the couch and watch the spectacle.
But just because we’re on the couch doesn’t mean we’re on the couch potatoes. Barely! We don’t eat a formal dinner, but graze the night away from a big spread on the coffee table.
Some of our favorites are chicken liver pate, nutty cheese sticks, succulent goat cheese with onion confit, my prosciutto cheese puffs, and classic palmiers.
This year, however, we’re doing something different. Friends come over for a late lunch of beef bourguignon, mashed potatoes, and our favorite chocolate cake. Here’s how we could ring in 2023 with just a few Aperol squirts and hugs.
And I absolutely love it.
The One and I wish you all a peaceful, prosperous and healthy New Year.
champagne cocktail
This champagne cocktail isn’t a classic for nothing, and we’ve added a few signature extra flourishes (see variations below the recipe) that are remarkably easy to make and even more remarkable to sip. And you don’t have to wait for a special opportunity.
Recipe
I loved these champagne cocktails! I love anything that can spice up classic champagne, and these recipes certainly do. They were easy to make and created a beautiful and delicious cocktail!
kaitlyn n.
Roquefort and walnut shortbreads
These Roquefort and Walnut Shortbreads are our most elegant starter – crispy, light and delicious. They are the perfect finger food.
Recipe
Homemade potato chips with pecorino
Homemade potato chips are very different from packaged ones and definitely worth the effort. Make. A lot.
Recipe
These are wonderful! So easy to make and the little effort that goes into slicing and roasting the potatoes is definitely worth it.
Elizabeth
Comté and sesame twists
Cheese is an everyday part of life in France and luckily for all of us, there really are so many of them. Most of these are meant to be eaten on their own, but there are also some that can also be used in cooking, such as comté. If you eat everything before you start cooking (already there), use Emmental or Gruyère. Each of them pair perfectly with these buttery twists.
Recipe
Roasted Bone Marrow
Preparing this roasted bone marrow is a breeze. Sprinkle with salt and toast until rich, creamy and irresistible. Simply the best. Here’s how to do it.
Recipe
Did it last night. It. was. Divine! I didn’t realize how easy bone marrow is to make and how quick it cooks. The man was blown away – said it was better than a restaurant. Thank you for the recipe and the detailed instructions.
Karima
Oysters Rockefeller with bacon
Oysters Rockefeller with Bacon is made with a blend of herbs, smoky bacon and buttery breadcrumbs. The best variant I’ve ever had. And that easy.
Recipe
Spicy chex mix
This homemade Spicy Chex Mix bears some resemblance to the real thing, but is MUCH more interesting. The combination of toasted nuts, toasted granola and the ideal amount of cayenne pepper and chilli spice means you’ll never go back to the classic.
Recipe
Fromage Fort
Fromage Fort is a wonderfully transformative way to use up the leftovers from all those expensive cheeses stuffed in the fridge. It is a classic French technique, economical and tasteful, presented here by Jacques Pepin.
Recipe
Pan-fried foie gras
Pan seared foie gras is an elegant appetizer made with foie gras, a grapefruit chardonnay sauce and apple puree. Excellent if you feel like it. And it’s easier than you think.
Recipe
Classic cheese and sausage board
This recipe is a foolproof beginner’s guide to a great cheese and charcuterie board! There are four key elements to a good spread: cheese, cured meats, ingredients (crackers and bread), and accessories (fresh or dried fruit, nuts, and jam) to balance out the savory flavors.
Recipe
Champagne truffle
Champagne truffles — made with bittersweet chocolate, cream, brandy, and of course sparkling wine — are homemade ganache-gilded dessert balls. A perfect food gift or conversation starter for a cocktail party.
Recipe
The Revolver Cocktail
This revolver cocktail recipe is made with bourbon, coffee liqueur, and orange bitters. An alternative to the Manhattan cocktail.
Recipe
The revolver cocktail is a great drink recipe. Very mild and with a hint of coffee that goes well with the whisky, I chose Bulliet. I had to taste two or three to make sure I understood the flavors!!! Thank you for sharing.
Eric
Classic melted chocolate cake
These classic melted chocolate cakes (aka chocolate lava cakes) by Jean-Georges Vongerichten are made with flour, sugar, chocolate, egg, and butter. When baking, the cake does not cook through, resulting in a lava flow of chocolate when cut. If that’s not enough, the dough can be prepared in advance.
Recipe
FAQs
Shelf life foods like potato chips, roasted nut mixes, and chex mix can safely be left out throughout the evening for your guests to enjoy. For perishable foods, keep hot foods warm in a warmer and cold foods like oysters, shrimp rings and mayonnaise salads cold on a bed of ice. Any perishable food served at room temperature must be refrigerated after 2 hours.
Plan on about 8 pieces of food per person if you’re serving them all at once. If you’re serving food continuously throughout the evening, plan on about 4 pieces per person per hour. Expect to eat most of the food in the first two hours.
Still looking for more ideas? Check out our full range of New Year’s Eve, cocktail party and appetizer recipes to create the perfect party menu.