Behind The Butter/ Recipe Round-Up

New Years Eve Feast Ideas

Happy {almost!} New Years Eve!

What is everyone doing on Monday night? I’ll admit, I’m not a huge NYE person and think it’s safer {and usually more fun!} to celebrate at home rather than driving from party to party anyway. To me, sipping champagne and eating a fabulous meal in front of a roaring fire with the one I love next to me beats any party.

That being said, if you do plan to stay home and cook, I’d thought I’d just throw a few ideas your way…if you don’t already have your menu planned out, that is.

Two of my favorite appetizers that can also double as light entrees include this Pear Gorgonzola Pizza with Balsamic Drizzle and this absolutely addicting Goat Cheese, Bacon and Fig Flatbread. One batch of dough makes enough for both pizzas! Slice up these flatbreads and serve as “finger food” glasses of prosecco that have a little drizzle of pomegranate juice and a few pom seeds in them. Bon appetit!

You could also go the spaghetti and red wine route. It’s never the wrong choice to make spaghetti.

Or, if you have more time to spend cooking and feel like getting a little fancy pancy, try this Arroz con Pollo! Change into your cutest black dress, red heels and bust out some good Spanish wine for the occasion! This is a dish to impress and way better than quick Chinese take-out before heading to some party.

As for drinks, prosecco, champers, red wine, white wine, dr. pepper…pick your poison.

If you want to play New Years Eve mixologist, cranberry margaritas are a nice festive choice.

For pregnant friends {or friends that just don’t wish to drink}, add a little maraschino cherry juice to Perrier!

Or, you could try this Peppermint Bark Milkshake recipe by my friend, Maria! It looks amazing.

Now desserts get tricky. You want to choose the right one….it’s the last dessert you’ll eat in 2012. Sort of a big deal.

A few worthy contenders:

Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Cake

Grumpy Ginger Cake

Lightened Up Snickers Pie

Cinnamon Pear Dumplings

Since I’m 84, I always end every meal with peppermint tea. But these White Peppermint Smashes would be a nice nightcap as well!

2012 was a wonderful year but I have a feeling 2013 will beat it by a long-shot.

Happy {almost!} New Years, sweet friends!!

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  • Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy
    December 29, 2012 at 5:56 am

    These are some great ideas! Enjoy your New Year’s Eve as an engaged couple :)!

  • Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots
    December 29, 2012 at 6:36 am

    I love staying in on new years!! Everything sounds delicious! P.s. I am in love with your book and can’t wait to cook all the recipes in it!

  • Averie @ Averie Cooks
    December 29, 2012 at 6:49 am

    I forgot about that dark chocolate cake of yours and the fact that whatever is chosen will be the last dessert of 2012, yes, better choose wisely πŸ™‚

    Happy New Year to you and Adam!

  • Molly @ RDexposed
    December 29, 2012 at 7:27 am

    We’re going out to dinner and then staying in. I like the idea of your goodies on New Years Day though!

  • Becky @ Olives n Wine
    December 29, 2012 at 7:41 am

    All of these recipes look fabulous! I have plans to go out to a party on NYE but am hosting a wine and cheese party in January and these recipes look perfect for it.

  • Becky @ Olives n Wine
    December 29, 2012 at 7:42 am

    Happy new year! That

  • Luv What You Do
    December 29, 2012 at 7:52 am

    We love to stay in and have a quiet date night with some college Bball and delish food. Typically we do stuffed mushrooms and crab legs, but haven’t decided on this years desert. That chocolate cake looks fantastic! Plus, I know there are some great recipes that I wnated to try in your book too!

  • Alex @ Healthy Life Happy Wife
    December 29, 2012 at 7:55 am

    Omg! The dark chocolate candy cane cake looks unbelievably delicious!! Yummy!

  • Emily @ Life on Food
    December 29, 2012 at 7:59 am

    Staying in on NYE is the best way to celebrate! Happy New Years!

  • Margarita
    December 29, 2012 at 9:23 am

    I have made your arroz con pollo and love it!

  • a farmer in the dell
    December 29, 2012 at 9:49 am

    my sister made your dark chocolate candy cane cake for Christmas and it was dope! I’m definitely going to give it a shot myself, but hers was SO good I”m afraid to try it. I’m NOT the best baker!!!

  • Sarah (shh...fit happens)
    December 29, 2012 at 9:55 am

    I need a personal chef, these all look sooo good! Never thought about the last food you eat in 2012, guess you just gotta make it good!

  • Carla
    December 29, 2012 at 9:57 am

    Jenna, I have an awesome book recommendation for you: In the Sea There are Crocodiles. It is really, really good.

  • Joelle ( on a pink typewriter)
    December 29, 2012 at 11:01 am

    Haha I’m 84 too I think- you’re not alone. I totally agree about spending NYE at home with loved ones and champagne.:) Have fun!

  • Suzanne de Cornelia
    December 29, 2012 at 11:55 am

    My grandmother died at 85 and I thought she was way too young. Chic, very intelligent, droll. She was always dressed-up on her sofa as if she was on Letterman.

    I prefer staying in too. What with everyone drinking, texting, shooting guns out the car window while they’re driving 110 MPH and playing Stick-FU on their iPhone.

    Yes, 2013 is going to be a FANTASTIC.

    And it’s SOOOOOOO much fun to be a Newly-Wed.

  • jan
    December 29, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    Way to put the pressure on dessert. LOL I’ve never thought of it that way before! I am saving that peppermint cake recipe though. Mmmmmm.

  • Kate @ quartercenturysouthernliving.wordpress.com
    December 29, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    The cranberry margaritas sound amazing!! And if I could eat the spaghetti straight off this page, I would. YUM!!

  • Katina
    December 29, 2012 at 11:44 pm

    I love the cheese picture. It reminds me of the part in your book when you and Adam ordered the same gruyere sandwich πŸ™‚

  • catherine (FOOD SNOB)
    December 30, 2012 at 7:15 am

    I typically stay in on New Year’s Eve, too. Last few years I’ve been making wild rice soup and popovers for New Year’s Eve dinner, then soup with black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day.

  • Rebecca @ cakeinacrockpot
    December 30, 2012 at 7:44 am

    I’ve made your pear gorgonzola pizza. Delicious! Light but satisfying πŸ™‚

    I am going snowboarding NYE, and going to try to make it home from the mountain before everyone is leaving their parties and the roads get crazy. Going to the snow is my way of partying!

  • Shaina
    December 30, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    I usually go out to dinner on NYE, but these are great ideas for those who stay home and cook! I looove flatbreads and your ideas sound delish! Hope you have a Happy New Years!

  • Vanessa
    December 30, 2012 at 6:47 pm

    Hello!

    Thank you for the fabulous menu ideas!! I love your blog and the variety of recipes. I was wondering , now that you have been a trained yoga instructor for a bit, if you might do a post with some tips for improving your practice. When I do my own internet search on this topic, it tends to bring up websites with some very strict “rules”. You seem to have a good balance in your life, and would love some insight. Happy New Year and Happy Wedding Year!!!!

  • Sarah @ Yogi in Action
    December 30, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    I’m throwing a party- but if I didn’t already have 30 confirmed, I might have changed my plans for a dinner party just for the excuse to make a few of these recipes. Looks great!

    Happy 2013!

  • Tammy
    December 31, 2012 at 6:15 am

    Happy New Year Jenna- reading your book on our annual ski vacation and love it!!!
    What is your favorite peppermint tea brand?