Favorite Party Food

 This is the season for all types of parties from Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa. Then there is the big blow out of New Year'seve. What's your favorite party food and why?Is it pigs in a blanket? Mini quiches?Bruschetta  topped with tangy tomatoes? or is it on the sweet side?A small plate of Christmas cookies? Bourbon balls for a dessert afterwards?

Let us know.I'm partial to bruschetta myself simply because I love the crunch of well toasted Italian or French bread .Te tomatoes mixed with olive oil and herbs is also a big plus.

A Simple Celebration

 It's New Year's Eve and many are either celebrating solo or with just one other. Not to worry . You can create a variety of good dishes for one or for two.

i went for a vegan variation of croque monsieur. This is one of my favorites , easy to make but packed with flavor and charm.

it was simple. I also gave a nod to the classic ham and cheese on rye. It's buttering slices of rye (I bought a fresh made loaf from the Acme) and layering the sliced vegan ham from Christmas with GO Veggie American cheese slices. This worked well because the vegan cheese is exactly like the real one and the taste blended in perfectly with the ham. It was then frying in Melt plant butter . This is a fun way  to celebrate with New Year.It also works well as a weekend dinner too.

If you;re a meat eat eater then a great celebratory dish for one is a French dip sandwich. This is just a roas tbeef and sometimes Provolone topped hero dipped in au jus.. Chicken a la king on brioche toast is another indulgent meal , perfect for one , excellent for two. The chicken dish can be bought canned,You could also make turkey a la king with any Christmas leftovers and a package of peas and carrots. A fun salad which can be well stretched into the weekend is also a nice way to welcome in 2022. Add crab and shrimp to a simple package of mixed spring greens. Chopped celery and grape tomatoes finish it with crunch and color. If you want to get a jump start on healthy eating  a salad Nicoise is your way to go.Make it decadent with the addition of hard boiled eggs and seasoned bread crumbs. Go the good for you route with adding salmon, rich in omega 3's and freshly steamed green beans. A simple vinaigrette is all both variations need. Add warmed, crusty French bread and a good wine to finish it off.

Even a part of one - or two - can have a tasty New Year's Eve meal. make it. simple, elegant and delicious. It's easy and fun , a perfect way to party at home tonight.

Holiday Dinners Light

Holidays meals, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas can be lavish and sumptuous affairs with enough food to feed an army. Yet what happens when there's only three or four for dinner? Or two? A lavish meal can seem wasteful. Then it's time for holiday meal light.

A whole turkey would be too much for three or four people. Even one as tiny as an eight pound one can be too much and can lead to a week of leftovers.  Think one half turkey breast which is three pounds and will satisfy diners nicely.  Cooking time is also cut in half - anywhere from forty-five minutes to an hour as opposed to the two or three hours for the entire bird. For Christmas you could roast a half ham or even ham steaks if you have one or two people over. Many home chefs love a standing rib roast for a holiday meal yet it would be like a huge feast for just four people. A London broil would be better . You can still serve it with gravy  - and even better Yorkshire pudding to sop up the juices.It'll also be good the day after in sandwiches or on toast with hot gravy. Seafood lovers always want a briny buffet for their Christmas Day or New Year's Eve dinners. You can still have this even if it's just the two of you. Think the smallest one  such as a one pounder.It's an easy boil or cook and quite filling.  You'll only need one side really if you serve it. Open the meal with a small sized ring of shrimp cocktail that you can easily buy at your fish market or even grocery store.

One thing about having an intimate holiday dinner is that you don't have to go crazy with the sides. Mash potatoes can still be served. You'll only need about a pound and a half of Yukon Golds to create a small pot. Another idea is having baked ones which is a nice change up from mashed. Add small bowls of different toppings - such as melted butter, sour cream, shredded cheddar and bacon along with chive and different spices. You can also do the same with sweet potatoes. If you're mashing them , then use only two or two and a half. If it's individual ones , have little ramekins of melted butter along with cinnamon sugar to sprinkle on. Of course the holiday meal would be nothing without stuffing. You could go the easy route and use Stovetop Stuffing which is great for a dinner party of four. A regular stuffing could be made but be prepared for a lot of it to be left over (great if you're planning on creating take home parcels). As for green sides,  buy bags of Brussels sprouts and broccoli. These steam bags provide enough for three to four people. They're perfect - easy to cook and no cleanup along with no to little leftovers. They can also be served hot or cold as a fun non-traditional salad.

A small holiday dinner can still be lavish in taste.It's just buying and cooking smaller version of the main course and halving the sides. It just the right amount of food for the right amount of people.

New Year's Eve - Get Ready!!!!

This may seem a tiny bit premature but all you foodies should be preparing for New Year's Eve. Noise makers? Check? Fancy or fun outfit? Check? Food? Drink? Uh oh, what to serve? What are you and your guests going to eat?



Hopefully not Christmas leftovers.



Today and tomorrow are the days when foodies all over the world should be stocking their fridges and pantries with party food and drink. Buy stuff that can keep, like pasta for hot dishes along with meats and frozen appetizers. If you decide to go the fresh route, then wake up very early on Wednesday morning and head over to your local grocer's. Fish , fruit and veggies should be served fresh. Go early if you;re buying a popular item like bananas, avocados or tomatoes otherwise you get the picked through rotty produce if you go later. You can buy tomatoes for sauce if you;re making it today to freeze for New Year's Eve. If you're planning on baking , then use today and tomorrow to do all that. Store in the pantry or front porch. Another thing to remember is stock up on breakfast items if you're having a large group staying overnight. Have plenty of eggs along with bacon and ham . You can use the bread from the party to make toast or French toast.

Buy your champagne and other spirits during these days as well. If you wait until the last minute, you'll wind up with a brand you may not like. Shop early and get what is needed. This also includes different kinds of seltzers and sodas for the designated drivers and non drinkers.Another good idea is to have one or two urns of strong coffee around to stop anyone from dozing off. If you're planning on a fancy brunch on New Year's Day, stock up on the orange and tangerine juice along with tomato juice. This way you can make plenty of mimosas and Bloody Marys to accompany brunch.

Be ready for the New Year with the right amount of food and drink. This way you can celebrate without the hassle of trying to get last minute goodies for your party.