Snacks, Dips and Finger Food for New Year’s Eve

Turmeric Chilli Chicken and Red Onion Tartlets (delicious, even reheated in a microwave)

The two weeks of my yearly Japanese trip felt like barely two days… but going back to the “normal” life took me much longer than usually and the cold, dark winter days really made me feel lazy, sad and not motivated to carry out such activities as imaginative cooking, blogging or even visiting my beloved blogs (I’m so sorry I haven’t said hello for such a long time!). The amount of end-of-the year work didn’t make matters easier… Anyway, now that I have missed a holiday post (I never knew how to do these, anyway…) and my Christmas cooking plans, the least I can do is share with you some festive food ideas for New Year’s Eve (and, in our case, for the several free-from-work days preceding it).

This time, since we don’t have guests and don’t go anywhere (it’s our favourite way to spend New Year’s Eve, anyway), I can prepare literally whatever I like (or rather whatever WE like, but the cook has the last word, doesn’t she?), as long as it means… snacks! Rolls, wraps, spreads and other kinds of fingers food are perfect for the way we love to spend end-of-year holidays, i.e. sipping wine or champagne, reading books, binge-watching new shows…and snacking, of course.

I haven’t decided yet exactly what I’ll cook, I hesitated a lot and finally made this shortlist. Everything I’ve chosen is either easy or/and quick or convenient (i.e. keeps several days in the fridge (or even can be frozen), can be reheated, prepared in advance, etc.). I think all these dishes can be served at a big party and are at the same time perfect for a calm long winter evening on the couch, without any guests. I hope you will find below some useful ideas or inspiration….. Have wonderful holidays and a Happy New Year!

COLD SNACKS

Seasoned Olives (the easiest and probably most useful snack for any festive occasion)
Last-Minute Crackers
Maki with Shrimp, Avocado and Cucumber (if you’ve ever made maki sushi, you now how easy it is!)
… or with Canned Tuna and Cucumber
Carrot and Chicken Spring Rolls (an incredibly light and low-kcal snack!)
Spring Rolls with Chicken, Cucumber and Shiso (the latter can be swapped for lettuce)
Savoury Cake with Goat Cheese and Dried Tomatoes (this one looks difficult, but is incredibly easy and delicious!)
Korean Dried Radish in Spicy Sauce (no, these aren’t worms!)

WARM (Everything here keeps well several days in the fridge and can easily be reheated):

Filo Triangles with Indian-Style Beef
Filo Rolls with Feta and Leek
Spicy Lamb and Potato Croquettes
Chapatti Wraps (Indian Flat Breads) filled with whatever I’ll have at hand
Falafels
Tsukune, or Japanese Ground Meat Skewers

Pickles:

Indian Fridge Pickles
Chilli Pickle in Reused Olive Brine
Easy and Quick Japanese pickled cucumber

DIPS/SPREADS:

Yogurt/Quark Dip/Spread with Caramelised Onion
Smoked Mackerel and Egg Spread
Tzatziki with Fennel
Fresh Goat Cheese Spread/Dip with Chives

AND, FINALLY, THE EASIEST AND QUICKEST SWEETS I CAN IMAGINE….

Unbaked Chocolate Cake (thank you so much, Katerina!!!)
Prunes in Chocolate

 

18 Replies to “Snacks, Dips and Finger Food for New Year’s Eve”

  1. Your holiday creations are not only festive but they are heartwarming and mouthwatering! Thank you so much for your tremendous efforts! I must try them. And (belated) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family Sissi! Cheers! – David, Bangkok, Thailand

    1. Hi, David! Thank you so much for your kind words and compliments! Happy New Year to you and your family!

  2. Welcome back. We spent the month of November in Arizona and it was awesome. The down side is that we left Toronto when it was 15-20C but returned to -10C, and I just can’t get warm enough! We are having dear friends over for New Years eve so your roundup couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m going to do tapas all night, I’m sure I’ll be able to find something from your list to add to it.

    1. Hi, Eva! I can very well imagine what a thermal shock you’ve had! It was really depressing to see the 15 degree difference (+lack of sun, wind, rain, etc…), so you had a much more difficult come back and yet managed to cook so much and to continue blogging! Unlike me 🙁 Thumbs up!
      I have just prepared the super easy chocolate cake from my list… it keeps for ages, so I hope I’ll still have it for New Year’s Eve (unless it’s eaten in the meantime).

      1. I must confess, I had ramped up a number of blog posts so that I was able to tweak and post while I was away. But now that I’m back, I was a little behind, so the last two days I prepared a few new recipes and revisted an old favourite, so I’m about 3 weeks ahead at this point.
        I totally understand the greyness of winter, if only the sun would shine for a few hours of daylight, I would be fine. Some days it’s so dull here that we have to put on all the inside lights, so depressing. Merry Christmas to you, I hope you have a happy and healthy new year.

        1. Happy New Year, Eva! Unfortunately I’m as organised as you are! Moreover, I must say that since I came back from holidays I haven’t cooked practically anything new, I hope I’ll have more motivation and/or imagination this weekend! I have so many bookmarked recipes on blogs and in my cookery books too…

  3. Imaginative cooking sounds good, I do a lot of that as well! I haven’t quite yet decided what I will cook for New Year’s Eve either, but your nibble collection looks very appealing. Another option would be Game of Thrones dishes, I got the official cookbook for Christmas and as there will be only us and my brother-in-law, all hardcore GOT fans, it would be fitting. 🙂

    1. Thank you so much, Karen. Happy New Year! The tartlets take some time (preparation of chicken and onion), but everyone loves them!

  4. I really enjoyed reading this post and found it relatable on many levels. Sometimes coming back is hard and it also amazes me how quickly we adapt to warmer/sunnier climates making others feel not quite right somehow – and yes, it can really impact our mood too. I would have quite a shock moving back to Canada after 4+ years in California (and when the temperature dips here I’m ready to pack up and head further south to Mexico – lol – not to mention when earthquakes hit, but I digress).

    For the last few years we’ve given ourselves the gift of vacation over new years… (vacation for me involves someone else cooking for me!). We haven’t managed extended holidays for quite some time but we try to fit in mini vacas here and there – so rejuvenating and fun. No matter, your delicious ideas will come in handy throughout the year. And I notice I’ve made at least 2 from your list (my husband still requests your chocolate covered prunes) – do you know I bought chocolate covered figs from Whole Foods this fall – tiny container $8! and they didn’t even taste good. Your caramelized onion dip was also a success; I’m due to make it again. Happy New Year Sissi!

    1. Thank you so much for the compliments, Kelly! Happy New Year to you too! I’m glad I’m not the only person who reacts so badly to lack of sun and cold… Switzerland (especially my city which is not high in the mountains) is not very cold. At the beginning when I moved here I was happy the weather was mild in winter (it’s usually between 0°C and 10°C during the day with rare colder short periods), but now, just like you, I want more!!! More sun, higher temperatures and more light…
      I feel so proud and happy to know you use some of my recipes and especially that you like the results 🙂 Thank you so much for letting me know! It always warms my heart.
      For me the only long period when someone else cooks for me is when we go to Japan. It feels so weird cooking afterwards…

  5. A great list of some of your fabulous treats!!! I just happen to have some filo in the refrigerator so tomorrow’s lunch is going to have some crunch to it. I have some leftover beef and that Indian seasoning in your triangles sounds perfect! Thanks for putting this all together.

    1. Thanks a lot, MJ! I love filo so much…. it also freeze it to make sure I ALWAYS have it just in case… it’s funny how the same food stuffed into crisp filo rolls tastes completely different (and better!) than eaten alone.

  6. I am so happy you enjoyed the chocolate sweet so much, I made it also for Christmas and it was delicious! All of the snacks and appetizers look fabulous and I love the new looks of your blog! Have a wonderful New Year with health and happiness!

    1. Thank you, Katerina, for the kind words. I’ve just made a new version for my husband (he asks me to make your cake all the time!) and I hope to post it one day. Happy New Year to you too!

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