Easy New Years Eve
I'm having a small gathering on NYE, while babysitting for my 2 year old granddaughter(she goes to sleep at 8). I would love to be able to do almost everything the day before, and then just heat things up. Any suggestions?
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10 Comments:
Go to Trader Joe's (or your favorite market) and stock up on cheeses & salamis (pre-slice the day before), crackers, olives, pickles, nuts, etc.... Add in some tubbed dips & spreads (re-plate or bowl). Grab a few boxes of their frozen apps. (which you heat right before party time), assorted beverages and you have an EASY celebration with minimal prep. You can enjoy your granddaughter AND your party!
sheldel at 4:09PM on 12/17/07
Trader Joe's is good. I would make some puff pastry nibblies which are best from freezer to oven. Spanikopita triangles, mushroom puff. Mini calzones, mini quiches. Costco has a good ready to go assortment of the usual suspects. The frozen cream puffs are fabulous.
A nice goat cheese roasted veggie terrine with some baguette slices.
A cold antipasto.
JerzeeTomato at 5:08PM on 12/17/07
ina garten (barefoot contessa) has a few do ahead entertaining menus. check out foodtv.com.
for example: the night before dinner (On the menu is a delicious Roast Loin Of Pork With Fennel Stuffing, Cauliflower Gratin, Green Green Vegetables and a Pumpkin Parfait with Ginger Biscuits.)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ig/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9971_47273,00.html
lexophile at 7:07PM on 12/17/07
Lots of soups and stews are better if they're made ahead and reheated. I'd go for a simple beef stew (boeuf bourguignon, daube, Flemish beer stew) or one made with pork shoulder (aka butt--very inexpensive) such as this one with apples: http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001495slowroasted_pork_shoulder_with_melted_apples.php
or little onions & prunes: http://italianfood.about.com/od/porkrecipes/r/blr1507.htm
Green salad.
Also, keep in mind that beans are traditionally eaten for good luck on New Year's in many cultures. There's black-eyed peas with cornbread and a mess of greens down south, all something you could do ahead. Lentils elsewhere, such as braised Italian sausage (cotechino--but you could sub any) and lentils. Chili with all the fixings, depending on whether you go Texan with beef or perhaps, Black bean with Mexican chorizo. French onion soup or something similarly hearty might be nice especially if you have lots of nibbles that include ham or sausage.
Another way to go? Cf. Martha Stewart's mac and cheese, just posted here. (I prefer a little blue cheese, though.) Lasagna. Who doesn't like goo?
Dorie Greenspan has a recipe for an apple cake that is better made the night before, though if you're doing a casserole, you'd be better off with a lighter fruit dessert or little chocolate pots de creme with tangerines.
Eliz. at 7:13PM on 12/17/07
here are two other make ahead menus. you could even mix and match. but they are all make ahead then reheat.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ig/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9971_23851,00.html
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ig/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9971_36186,00.html
lexophile at 7:17PM on 12/17/07
oooh flourless chocolate cake is a do ahead and it is so good.
JerzeeTomato at 10:55PM on 12/17/07
You could also do a braise (i'm thinking short ribs or something along those lines) and then reheat it the next day, I've done this for some dinner parties and it has worked really well from me. Also, soups are fantastic. My mom also makes lasagna (or rather assembles it) the day before and bakes it the day of. That way all the flavors have time to absorb and meld. Good luck and have a fun new years!
lola27 at 3:51AM on 12/18/07
Thanks so much!!!! Great ideas!!
Mich23 at 7:32AM on 12/18/07
Chicken wings - I marinate and cook mine the day before, then grill them quickly before serving. Ditto for ribs..... I often do them together for a SuperBowl deal.
Maureen at 9:07AM on 12/18/07
Last NY's eve my most popular dish by far was the easiest - fondue! Instead of using the fussy recipes that came with the set, I made a fondue of sour cream mixed with chocolate frosting from a can. People were practically licking the bowl!
Good foods for dipping:
Strawberries
Poundcake (I made one from a box the day before)
Sliced bananas
Dried Apricots
Cherries
savecara at 10:44AM on 12/18/07