New Year's Eve appetizer ideas?

  • Thread starter Thread starter whatevergirl
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
What about lettuce wraps? They’re light and may balance out some of the richer stuff (Cream cheese, wings, butter, potatoes that for me only serve as a holder for all the good stuff like butter, cheese, bacon, sour cream).

You just buy a head of iceberg lettuce, stick the whole head into an ice bath for about an hour so that they leaves peel off without ripping. Then you peel the leaves off, wash them, and then let them drain off in the fridge again (the cold is tasty against a warm filling).

For the filling, you can do a lot of different things. A typical Asian filling would be pork or chicken chopped up very small with ginger, garlic, shallots and some sort of soy or teriyaki sauce. Topping them with some of those crispy rice noodles or bean sprouts is good, too. You could also just make little wraps out of them with a slice of lunchmeat and a piece of cheese.

I leave a stack of the lettuce leaves (prepared as mentioned above) out and then the filling next to it so that guests can make their own. Sounds like a lot of prep work, but most of it’s just leaving enough time for the lettuce to chill and then a quick saute of the filling ingredients.

So good, healthy, and…well, okay, it’s kind of trendy 😛
 
Ok everybody–dh and I just arrived back from shopping…here’s the goodies for this year’s ‘end of year’ festivities:
  • large shrimp with cocktail sauce
  • swedish meatballs – I hadn’t thought of that! (these are already made)
  • mini quiches-already made
  • veggie tray–we will assemble
  • shredded chicken hot sauce and cheese dip (if you would like this recipe please pm me–it is wonderful–had it last year at another party) w/tortilla chips
  • chicken nuggets stuffed with ham and cheese (already made)
  • cheese and crackers
  • seafood spread (this will go with sliced herring–thanks Norseman for the idea–my husband thanks you, too)😉 🙂
  • salami and ham–with rolls if someone wants a small sandwich
  • french chardonnay, and a bottle of fizzy grape juice for my kids
  • pretzels and bagel chips with assorted dips
  • stuff to make tortilla pinwheels…we will assemble
*Thanks to all who contributed and hopefully this thread gave you all some great ideas too to make your end of year celebration more delish.😉 God bless & Happy New Year to you all!!!
 
sallybranwyn said:
What about lettuce wraps? They’re light and may balance out some of the richer stuff (Cream cheese, wings, butter, potatoes that for me only serve as a holder for all the good stuff like butter, cheese, bacon, sour cream).

You just buy a head of iceberg lettuce, stick the whole head into an ice bath for about an hour so that they leaves peel off without ripping. Then you peel the leaves off, wash them, and then let them drain off in the fridge again (the cold is tasty against a warm filling).

For the filling, you can do a lot of different things. A typical Asian filling would be pork or chicken chopped up very small with ginger, garlic, shallots and some sort of soy or teriyaki sauce. Topping them with some of those crispy rice noodles or bean sprouts is good, too. You could also just make little wraps out of them with a slice of lunchmeat and a piece of cheese.

I leave a stack of the lettuce leaves (prepared as mentioned above) out and then the filling next to it so that guests can make their own. Sounds like a lot of prep work, but most of it’s just leaving enough time for the lettuce to chill and then a quick saute of the filling ingredients.

So good, healthy, and…well, okay, it’s kind of trendy 😛
Click to expand...
I have always wanted to make these–I will try them for dinner one night…they sound light and tasty!🙂
 
Take a party loaf or two or three (they come in rye, frnech, pumpernickel), grate some cheese, and make mini grilled cheeses. These are great with a pot of soup or chilli. They cook quickly, and are gone like that! If you don’t use it today, think about it for Superbowl, along with some corn muffiins.
 
OutinChgoburbs said:
Take a party loaf or two or three (they come in rye, frnech, pumpernickel), grate some cheese, and make mini grilled cheeses. These are great with a pot of soup or chilli. They cook quickly, and are gone like that! If you don’t use it today, think about it for Superbowl, along with some corn muffiins.
Click to expand...
yum yum–I will!
Too bad you all couldn’t have come with us to the grocery store!😃
 
Oh…and since fireworks are legal in FL (yikes)…my dh bought a whole bunch of them for tonight!:o I’m not a big fireworks type…but it sounds fun–he is quite excited!😃 Our neighborhood’s HO association might have something to say though…hopefully, it won’t cause a stir in the neighborhood. (He bought this without me present – that is where he disappeared to for part of today)😉
 
whatevergirl said:
Too bad you all couldn’t have come with us to the grocery store!😃
Click to expand...
Too bad we can’t all stop by your house tonight to help you eat some of your munchies! (You’d eat fewer calories and have less walking to do on Jan 2nd if you shared your spread with 10,000 CAF fans. 😉 ) Happy New Year!:tiphat:
 
gardenswithkids said:
Too bad we can’t all stop by your house tonight to help you eat some of your munchies! (You’d eat fewer calories and have less walking to do on Jan 2nd if you shared your spread with 10,000 CAF fans. 😉 ) Happy New Year!:tiphat:
Click to expand...
hey–that’s so true! I would so love that. My husband ‘sort of’ knows you guys…he listens second hand to everything posted here.😉 😃 God bless!!
 
whatevergirl said:
hey–that’s so true! I would so love that. My husband ‘sort of’ knows you guys…he listens second hand to everything posted here.😉 😃 God bless!!
Click to expand...
Well, it just turned midnight here 15 mins ago.

Hope you have a good night!

God Bless!
 
Just think what a spread we’d have if everybody here could come and bring our suggestions. Mmmmm Mmmmm.
 
Little_Mary said:
Just think what a spread we’d have if everybody here could come and bring our suggestions. Mmmmm Mmmmm.
Click to expand...
😃 😃 😃 hee hee–yes it would be MAGNIFICENT!! I’d have to throw my scale out the window tomorrow though.😊
 
Ok Norseman? My husband loved the herring…and I …um…ugh…hated it.😊 My dh said it is an acquired taste. Yes, that’s putting it mildly. I have had herring before, but this was in a wine and onion mixture/jarred. I dunno, maybe that made it …something. Anyways–my husband thanks you for the idea–he is still eating it.😃
 
whatevergirl said:
Ok Norseman? My husband loved the herring…and I …um…ugh…hated it.😊 My dh said it is an acquired taste. Yes, that’s putting it mildly. I have had herring before, but this was in a wine and onion mixture/jarred. I dunno, maybe that made it …something. Anyways–my husband thanks you for the idea–he is still eating it.😃
Click to expand...
Not to change the subject whatever, but your Inbox is filled again!!
 
Just letting you all know - the baked potato bar was a huge hit!!! 👍

I roasted 10 pounds of spuds during the day - then took them straight from the oven into a canvas tote bag (it must be able to breathe or the spuds will get all mushy) inside a soft sided cooler. This kept them hot for most of the evening without having to turn the oven on. We had the following toppings:
  • Chili
  • Sour cream
  • Chopped green onion
  • Grated cheese - sharp cheddar and mozzarella
  • Pulled pork (purchased already made)
  • Baked beans
  • Cottage cheese
  • Salsa
  • Butter
  • Bacon
    Some suggestions if you decide to do this - use small-ish potatoes, that way everyone can have two and fix them differently. I would also have added some ground beef with either onion mix or taco seasoning, just for another option.
Left over potatoes can be fried up the next morning for breakfast or make twice baked potatoes for dinner. 🙂

This would be great for a football Saturday or other easy party - we will definitely do this again. 👍

Happy New Year!

~Liza
 
whatevergirl said:
I have always wanted to make these–I will try them for dinner one night…they sound light and tasty!🙂
Click to expand...
I’m “allergic” to wheat, rye, barley, and oats (celiac disease) and I have to find alternatives to breads and crackers…which led me to the lettuce wraps. Good stuff!
 
whatevergirl said:
Ok Norseman? My husband loved the herring…and I …um…ugh…hated it.😊 My dh said it is an acquired taste. Yes, that’s putting it mildly. I have had herring before, but this was in a wine and onion mixture/jarred. I dunno, maybe that made it …something. Anyways–my husband thanks you for the idea–he is still eating it.😃
Click to expand...
I think there is also herring in some cream sauce.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top