A New Year’s Eve party is the perfect time to get creative with the snacks you serve. Plan your party well ahead of time, allowing yourself time to find snacks that suit your party atmosphere, budget, kitchen prowess, and your personal taste. Here are some ideas for creative snacks.
International Party Snacks
Theme parties are a great way to try new recipes. For an International New Year's party, serve small tastes from different parts of the world.
Sopapillas are little Mexican donuts that have a delicious flavor. For a yummy South-of-the-Border treat, try this recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 cup shortening
- 1-1/4 cups milk
- Powdered sugar
Directions
- Mix the flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until well blended.
- Add in the shortening and milk. Blend until a soft dough is formed.
- Knead the dough until it is smooth. Cover with a clean towel and let sit for 30 minutes.
- After sitting, take the dough and divide it into four portions (keep each portion covered until ready to use).
- Roll out each portion to about 1/8-inch thick. Slice into nine 4x2 inch pieces. Cover each piece after it has been cut.
- Heat 1 inch of oil in a heavy frying pan. Fry each donut for about 4 to 5 minutes, turning once until brown and puffy. Drain.
- Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Another creative snack is Pompeii Toast, which is a little taste of Italy. The recipe is as follows.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Italian bread
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground basil
- 10 plum tomatoes, sliced
- Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top of bread slices
- Olives, your choice of variety
Directions
- Preheat oven to broil.
- Slice the Italian bread in 1-inch slices. Set aside.
- Mix oil, vinegar, garlic, and basil in a small mixing bowl.
- Dip the slices of bread in the oil mixture, and place on a cookie sheet.
- Broil the bread for 2 minutes on one side, and the flip and broil for an additional 2 minutes.
- Top the toast with plum tomato slices and Parmesan cheese and broil lightly.
- Serve with olives.
Simple Snack Recipes
If your gathering is a casual get-together, stick with the simple and sure-to-please favorites. These simple snacks will ensure that you have time to mingle with guests as well.
Serve a homemade dip with a variety of fruits, pretzels, chips and cheese sticks for dipping. You might also consider renting a chocolate fountain so guests can dip their favorite snack items as the chocolate flows. Common snacks for a chocolate fountain include:
- Butter cookies
- Pound cake chunks
- Large marshmallows
- Pretzel sticks
- Strawberries
- Graham crackers
Another favorite snack mix is Puppy Chow. This is especially popular with the kiddies.
Ingredients
- 6 cups Crispix cereal
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 12 ounces chocolate chips
- 2 cups powered sugar
Directions
- Pour cereal into a large bowl.
- Pour powdered sugar into a paper lunch bag. Set aside.
- Melt butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips together in the microwave. Stir at least once or twice while microwaving.
- Stir the butter mixture into the cereal bowl.
- Pour cereal mixture in the powdered sugar and shake until well coated.
- Remove and serve.
These are just a few of the many other recipes you can try for a great New Year's Eve bash. Almost any party is a success where there is new and tasty food to talk about. Just make sure you get to enjoy the festivities by not working too hard on the night of the party.
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