Party Food Ideas for New Year’s Eve

There are parties and then, there are parties. The one we host or attend on December 31st to ring in the New Year is yet another… the King of all Parties. On its success depends the beginning of the New Year for everyone who attends the party.

As any good host will tell you, a good party is not only about food and dancing. The preparation should start well in advance, if one is to avoid last minute crunches and party-fright (as in stage fright). Stacking up on foods that can be cooked earlier, baked in advance or chopped, frozen or packed ready to serve, should be the first step. Then the day of the party is left relatively free for enjoyment.

The best way to save time and effort is to plan a menu that is no fuss, healthy and tasty-something that the guests enjoy eating and YOU enjoy cooking. There is a long list of party foods, finger foods and bite size goodies that confirm to these standards. A decade ago a long party meant heavy, rich foods – canapés and dips that used rich cream, nuts, quiches, choux pastries… Today the list runs like steamed spring rolls with lightly sautéed prawn, crisp filo triangles, Middle Eastern specialties like hummus, blini with smoked tit bits, tiny pizzalets, or cut outs of pizzas or frittatas made in one whole and then shaped out…..

Buffets for a party are always a better idea. Planned carefully, well in advance it gives enough freedom to the host and the guest to enjoy together.

Here are some tips to keep the party planning short, simple and well oiled:

__Keep the Menu light, ethnic and colorful, so the foods are attractive too.
__Go for the filling or topping that requires the least labor.
__Foods that require baked bases can be made up to a week in advance, for instance pizza crust or pastry for quiches and tartlets, blini and filo pastries.
__Always try to include fresh fruits and vegetables in various parts of the Menu, for instance carved vegetables with a wide range of savory dips, fresh fruits with chocolate or low fat creamy dips, maybe.
__A loaded basket of simply fruits is as good as an elaborate tartlet or pie.
__Having a theme not only brings out the best for the Menu but also gives the guest some food for thought in terms of dressing and presentation, and that goes a long way in making a New Year’s Party a success.
__Appetizers should not be too many or too heavy.
__A New Year’s Eve party with drinks (enough to get drunk on), should have heavier dishes later on because in most cases they will be a substitute for dinner.
__Make sure food is arranged to look attractive on the table. Large canapé trays with color coordinated setouts make the food more appetizing.
__It’s a good idea to arrange as many as possible plates on the table, which can be done by making a zig zag pattern.
__Keep some small plates and platters to hand the food around when people need to hold their drinks and finger foods together.
__Always arrange napkins and forks within easy range of food as well as the guests.
__Platters should always look as they have been just set out, so make sure the food is replenished almost before it gets over.
__Make sure the ashtrays, used napkins and used plates are removed regularly so guests are not inconvenienced.
__Prepared raw vegetables and steamed as well as blanched vegetables can be packed in sealed plastic bags and kept in the refrigerator for a sufficiently long time.
__Cheeses can be grated and bagged.
__Herbs can be kept fresh in the refrigerator by cutting off the stalks about a quarter inch from the bottom and wrapping in a dampened towel, sealed tightly in a foil.
__Even made up platters of food can be stored in a refrigerator. Stand up corks on three corners of the platter and cover with either a cling film or foil, the cork will stretch like a tent on the platter, and the food will also stay fresh.
__For quantity, always use a headcount of at least 2-3 items of each dish at the buffet.
__For drinks, make sure there is an ample supply of corkscrews and bottle openers so one person is not stuck only opening bottles through the evening.
__Always make sure a separate table is arranged for food, and another one for drinks, so no overcrowding disturbs the guests. Get a well meaning and efficient guest of host to play bartender, so things stay better organized.

With these quick tips in mind, your New Years Party will really be a time to enjoy, both for you and your guests.