New Years Eve Party Ideas and Recipes

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New Media PublishingOkay, we've gotta come clean: While most of us -- including the editors here at KitchenDaily -- love the idea of hosting a New Year's Eve cocktail party, the reality of it seems a little daunting. It's a big holiday with a glamorous reputation, so the bar is pretty high; you want folks to be happy they chose to be at your house instead going to some other fabulous venue.

We've put together a menu that's impressive and totally doable, a combination that's going to make you look like a rock-star hostess. There are flavors from around the globe, from classic Swedish meatballs to Indonesian peanut chicken skewers to Italian salami-wrapped tomatoes. And everything can be eaten with one hand while guests stand and mingle, so cocktail napkins are just fine (less clean up!). There are even espresso brownie bites to satisfy the urge for sweets.

Check out the full menu below, as well as the make-ahead game plan.

• Browse all New Year's recipes.
• Check out our big-batch punches, cocktails, and mocktails.
• See more cocktail party recipes.
• Learn how to turn Christmas decorations into New Year's decorations at Shelterpop.

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Champagne Punch

It's not New Year's without bubbles, and this punch is a great way to stretch your sparkling-wine dollar. Pineapple and orange flavors mingle perfectly within the mix.

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Bollywood Martini

The classic Martini gets a sexy twist with the addition of a spicy ginger syrup.

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Swedish Meatballs in Dill Sauce

Dill and a little ground clove give these tender meatballs a true taste of Scandinavia.

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Smoked Salmon and Caper Spread

It doesn't get much easier than this: All the players in a classic Nordic smorgasbord dish are stirred together to create a simple, delicious spread.

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Mushroom Bacon Tart

Crisp, salty bacon and earthy mushrooms will keep guests coming back for more of this savory tart. Store-bought pastry makes it a breeze to prepare.

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Cilantro Spice Yogurt Dip with Pita and Vegetables

Tangy yogurt is the base of this dip, but cilantro, cumin, and chile spice things up nicely. If you have some handy, cardamom adds extra dimension.

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Parmesan Thyme Crisps

Buttery cheese crisps flecked with thyme deliver big flavor in small bites. The dough can be made ahead, so all you have to do is slice and bake right before the party.

roasted chicken skewers with peanut sauce

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Roasted Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce

An Indonesian-style peanut sauce offers all four essential flavors of Asian cooking -- sweet, sour, salty, and hot.

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Pesto and Salami Wrapped Tomatoes

Set up a mini assembly line and this adorable appetizer couldn't be any easier to put together. Fresh parsley leaves impart a fresh herbal taste that's important to the flavor balance, so resist the temptation to leave them out.

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Bittersweet Chocolate Glazed Espresso Brownie Bites

These sweet little bites deliver a big hit of chocolate intensity with an espresso punch.

Make-Ahead Game Plan

1 WEEK AHEAD
• Make parmesan thyme crisp dough
• Make ginger syrup for martinis

4 DAYS AHEAD
• Make smoked salmon spread

3 DAYS AHEAD
• Bake parmesan thyme crisps
• Make meatballs in sauce
• Make peanut sauce
• Make brownie layer
• Make pita strips for yogurt dip

1 DAY AHEAD
• Glaze and cut brownie layer
• Make yogurt dip and vegetables
• Roast chicken thighs
• Make bacon mushroom mixture and bake pastry for tart
• Make wrapped tomatoes
• Make pineapple mixture for punch

3 HOURS AHEAD
• Complete and bake mushroom bacon tart
• Assemble martini garnish

1 HOUR AHEAD
• Bring smoked salmon spread to room temperature
• Cut chicken thighs and put on skewers, then let come to room temperature
• Bring wrapped tomatoes to room temperature

JUST BEFORE SERVING
• Finish peanut sauce
• Reheat meatballs with fresh dill
• Drain carrot curls
• Finish champagne punch