6 tips for a sparkling, unforgettable New Year’s Eve dinner

When planning New Year’s Eve meals, think about what you want to serve and how best to incorporate the selection into a long evening with friends and family. It’s fun to shorten the timing and have energy to get through the night until the bell rings, and with this list of appetizers, desserts, main dishes, and side dish ideas, you’ll have plenty of recipes to choose from. Choose a theme or simply celebrate with good food for everyone to enjoy. Your New Year’s Eve dinner will be an unforgettable experience!

Tips for preparing a New Year’s Eve dinner

1. Add a few recipes for happiness. In many cultures, certain foods and recipes have special meaning, and you can choose a few that serve tradition. In Lebanese culture, there are traditional recipes that we enjoy during New Year, such as fattoush salad, kafta and potato stew.

2. Choose foods that last a long time. Depending on when your gathering begins, you may want to include foods that will stay fresh for a few hours. The night is long and stable foods ensure there is something to eat.

3. Little bites to keep you going. Keep the energy up with New Year’s Eve finger foods you can snack on all night long.

4. Choose a few recipes to prepare in advance. Take some time the day before or earlier in the day to prepare a few dishes so that they are ready to eat when guests arrive. This will give you more time to spend with friends and family and enjoy the end of year celebrations.

5. Determine your number of guests. Once you know how many people will be at dinner, you can narrow down your menu, make a shopping list, and know how much to prepare.

6. Choose different recipes. Choose a few appetizers and finger foods, the main dinner and a few desserts that meet your expectations and satisfy all dietary needs, whether vegetarian, dairy-free or allergy-friendly. You want recipes that please every palate.

How to plan the dinner menu for New Year’s Eve

• For a traditional dinner. Start with a starter, followed by the main course and some desserts. Using New Year’s Eve finger foods, handhelds, side dishes, and a few different sweets, you can get creative and create a party-style dinner that will give you the energy to get through the evening.

• Think about kid-friendly foods. You’ll love the variety of New Year’s Eve snacks that will keep sensitive taste buds happy and tummies full all evening long. Offering your youngest guests a mix of familiar and fun treats will make it even more fun for everyone.

• Opt for balanced New Year’s Eve dinner ideas. Choose an appetizer, a few sides, and bread for a New Year’s Eve dinner menu that’s full of flavor and nutrition and symbolizes the end of another year. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a Lebanese-inspired menu with recipes like kibbeh and lamb. Lebanese cuisine is known for using healthy and fresh ingredients and preparing healthier cooking methods. Be sure to check out this extensive list of delicious Lebanese recipes.

• Make fun holiday-themed desserts. End the year with some of your most delicious desserts and enter the new year with a satisfied sweet tooth. From cakes and chocolate to fruity parfaits and cheesecakes, choose some of your favorites to serve this memorial evening.

• Set up a drinks table. Make sure you have enough glasses for a shared drink when the bell rings. You can also set up a table specifically for drinks. Add ice to a bucket with a scoop, including cups and carafes of tea, lemonade and ginger ale. A hot chocolate bar is always a hit! You can also make your fruit ice cubes for a fun, colorful and delicious drink.

What is a traditional New Year’s Eve meal?

New Year’s Eve has some traditional recipes that signify happiness, happiness and well-being for the coming year, such as black-eyed peas, greens, fish, cornbread, lentils and pomegranates. However, don’t let this stop you from developing personal traditions! Create memories through food and choose recipes that suit your tastes and that your family enjoys.

• Black-eyed peas or lentils bring good luck! You can prepare them as a side dish, add them to soups, or stuff pumpkin. Learn how to cook lentils to use them in various dishes.

• Cornbread is a traditional New Year’s meal and means gold for wealth and good luck. This vegan cornbread recipe is healthier and easy to make. Serve with some of your favorite main dishes and even season them with chopped jalapenos.

• Green plants represent financial prosperity and include kale, cabbage, mustard or turnip greens. Two of my favorite recipes are Roasted Cabbage and Kale Tabbouleh Salad.

• The pomegranate represents a vibrant new year with new beginnings. Use pomegranate seeds in appetizers, main courses, side dishes and desserts. It adds a nice touch of acidity and an inviting pop of color to dishes.

• Seafood is traditionally served on New Year’s Eve as a sign of abundance and progress. Fish, shrimp and scallops are all delicious foods and symbolize a successful year.

This article originally appeared on Feelgoodfoodie.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.