5 Appetizers To Kick-Start Your New Year’s Eve Party

You know everyone is in the holiday mood when you show up at work 2 hours late and your boss still greets you with a warm smile. That is what the excitement of welcoming the new year does to you! You are inevitably happy and all you basically want to do is throw sparkle at everyone.

But if you are planning a NYE party, then everything won’t seem like unicorns and rainbows. Up until the clock strikes 12, you will be in a constant state of paranoia. Worried about the decorations, checking the RSVPs, making sure the house help is on stand by, and so on.

While a major part of your party, the cocktails, have already been sorted out, you need some food to go with the drinks, too. And in most cases, finger food and drinks is all you need to make your party a hit.

So, if the caterers are harassing you or the budgets are low, here are 5 starters you can quickly whip up in your own kitchen. Guess who will be known as the star chef from next year onward?

 

1. Salt N Pepper Sweet Potato Fries

2016 was all about sweet potato and, to end the year, it only makes sense to serve it in a not-so-usual way. While fries are a go-to food, give it a healthy twist by making sweet potato fries. The best part about this dish is that you just need 5 minutes to prep it, and the oven will do the rest of the job!

Ingredients: 

• 6 large sweet potatoes, sliced into fries
• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Method: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. On 2 large parchment-lined baking sheets, toss sweet potatoes in olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. Transfer to the oven for 40 to 45 minutes and bake till they are crispy.

 

2. Lemon Garlic Shrimps

Shrimps are one of the easiest things to cook, because if you keep it in the oven or pan for long, they tend to overcook and get chewy. You can stir fry them with butter and garlic, and just squeeze in some lemon juice at the end, or you can bake them and go the healthy way!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 lemons, thinly sliced and halved
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Method: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. Thread shrimp and lemon halves onto skewers. Place skewers onto the prepared baking sheet. Place into oven and roast until pink, firm, and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium high heat. Stir in lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, and basil until fragrant, for about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

 

3. Salmon And Cucumber Bites

Why not keep our fitness resolutions from this year itself? Keep this fresh, healthy option at the table for those who will feel too guilty by gaining those extra calories by drowning in beer. Also, serve these little cuties with mini forks and make them look irresistible to eat!

Ingredients:

• 2 cucumbers, peeled and cut into 1″ rounds
• 1 kg smoked salmon, cut into bite sized pieces
• (1) 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Horseradish
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream, optional
• Toothpicks or tiny party forks

Method: Place cream cheese, dill, horseradish, and cream in a large bowl and mix until they are well combined. Spread 1 teaspoon of cream cheese on top each cucumber slice (more or less to taste), then top each slice with a bite-sized piece of smoked salmon. Insert a toothpick down the centre to keep in place. Serve at once, or keep in the refrigerator until needed.

 

4. Fiesta Chicken Nachos

You will win most of the battle, if your menu has nachos on it! And if they are chicken nachos, you’re golden.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 small can tomato paste
• 1 can green enchilada sauce
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon chile powder
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature and cut into small pieces
• 1 large bag corn tortilla chips
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Method: In a cooker, put the chicken to boil. In a bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, enchilada sauce, salt, chilli powder, and water. Add the corn and black beans to the chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the tomato and enchilada sauce mixture over the chicken, corn and black beans to cover. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees (or use your broiler on high heat or even microwave on individual plates). Lightly oil a large baking sheet and even spread the tortilla chips over the pan. Using a spoon or tongs distribute some of the chicken mixture all over the chips. Bake till the point you see the cheese has melted and done.

 

5. Parmesan Garlic Knots

Give the garlic bread a makeover this time and turn it into bite sized knots that look adorable. No one can ever go wrong with cheese and garlic!

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

Method:  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.In a small bowl, whisk together butter, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, parsley and salt; set aside.Halve each of the 8 biscuits, making 16 pieces. Roll each piece into a 5-inch rope, about 1/2-inch thick, and tie into a knot, tucking the ends. Place knots onto the prepared baking sheet and brush each knot with half of the butter mixture. Place into oven and bake until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Serve immediately, brushed with remaining butter mixture.