We decided to do things differently for our New Year’s Eve party this year. We happily abandoned the elegant, complicated menu we usually serve. As an alternative, we enjoyed a simple yet succulent paprika/garlic roasted chicken with pan juices on a bed of roasted tomatoes and onions complimented by oven roasted sweet potato planks (to ensure a sweet new year) served with an herb and lime yogurt dipping sauce accompanied by a medley of steamed vegetables.
After so much holiday cooking for everyone else, I wanted to enjoy my own party. So, while our dinner was in the oven, I prepared some simple appetizers.
We had a selection of cheeses consisting of a tangy special edition white cheddar and a homemade herbed cheese spread served alongside four delightful soft cheeses paired with wines. We paired the nutty Camembert with Chardonnay, the Bleu cheese with a Pinot Noir, the triple crème with Gewürztraminer and the buttery Déjeuner with a white Zinfandel.
Next, I prepared an appetizer tray that encourages guests to interact. Each guest constructs their own bite-sized cracker beginning with a dollop of cayenne-spiced avocado spread and then topped with a spoonful of Crab seasoned with a hint of tart lime juice and fragrant mint. As our guests move around the table building their appetizers, the conversation warms up.
The appetizer table rounded out with a fiery hot appetizer that I call a Wonton Cigar. This is one of my favorites. Inside a crisp oven-baked rolled wonton is a ground beef filling sprinkled with minced jalapeño and livened up with oregano, cumin, chili powder and sharp cheddar cheese. It’s served with a room temperature homemade salsa. If the salsa is too cold, it’s not as spicy tasting. We served this with a dark beer.
Overall, it was a fun evening with good food, great friends and lots of laughter. I hope all my Gather friends have a sweet, healthy, happy and successful year ahead.
Happy New Year to you all!
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Comments: 42
I've discovered a new-to-me cheese this year and love it...Real Yorkshire Wensleydale from the UK...we had the cranberry one for our Christmas party and the ginger one last night...both excellent!
Happy New Year, Donna!
Happy New Year, Sonia!
:-(
I wish we had a good one-stop shop for cheeses here.....most stores and supermarkets only carry the usual, but once in a while I get lucky. As it is, it is a game of Russian roulette...you might find something in one place and something else in another.
I found the Real Yorkshire Wensleydale with cranberries at Costco on the Kona side...and the one with ginger at one of our local supermarkets...I had never seen that cheese brand before.
Another cheese I like very much and don't buy often (just when I need to spoil myself a bit) is the French Langres...Love it! Buttery and rich...similar to Epoisses, but a bit milder. I can only find this one in a wine and liquor store in Waimea!
I buy from a wonderful local cheesemonger. The trouble is: he introduces new cheeses all the time and I can't resist! Here's Ian's website
http://www.mellischeese.co.uk/
As I said, sometimes I am surprised by what I find here, but I have to make the rounds of several places to find a gem here and there... I couldn't even get just plain Stilton until I requested it from the buyer at one of our stores...they carried a combination yellow cheese (can't even remember if it was cheddar or what at the moment) with layers of Stilton in between, but not just Stilton...:-( I was there a couple of weeks after the cheese came in and the buyer saw me and told me she was surprised at how fast the wheel had sold!
One of our health food stores carries a decent selection but not much out of the ordinary...but I still check it often just in case ;-)
Thanks for the website...I will check it out!
If you ever get the chance, try my most favourite cheddars.. Davidstow, made just over the Tamar bridge in Cornwall. The extra mature is wonderful. It has tiny salt crystal in it. The other is Isle of Mull cheddar, a Scots one. Both are always in my pantry.
Thank you, Ishbel...
May I ask why you removed the post when skywords came on board?
I understand your point of view, but not offering payment for points to members from other countries has more to do, as it was explained to me sometime ago by a member of the Gather staff, with banking and conversion regulations than with Gather's wishes...
Interesting!
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you.