New Year's Eve Menu

Torsten and I did the grocery shopping last night in preparation for tonight's big meal. It's not a party since it's just the one couple coming over, plus the baby who eats only breast milk, but we want to make it really delicious--both because it's a holiday and because we want to treat our friends to a nice break from the domestic chores that come along with having a new baby.

We also started cooking last night, and as such, the olives are marinating, the cookies are already stored in an airtight container, and the custard is solidifying in the fridge as I type. We'll both be leaving work early and spending the afternoon alternately cooking, cleaning, and relaxing. And then we have a lovely, beautiful, wondrous four-day weekend to follow with absolutely nothing to do. It's going to be AMAZING.

Anyway, a couple of you asked about the menu, so here you go. Our friends will be bringing an unspecified appetizer and hard cider. Here's what we'll be providing:

Beverages:

• Three different types of microbrewed beer
• Red wine
• Champagne (for midnight)
  
• Nonalcoholic sparkling apple cider

Appetizers:

• Marinated olives
  
• Guacamole with both yellow and blue corn chips
• Three different types of crackers (sourdough, garlic and olive oil, and water crackers) with three different cheeses (brie, goat cheese, and some other random cheese that looked yummy)
• Scallion pancakes (this is my reach appetizer, as I haven't made it before--but the recipe looks relatively simple)

Main course:

• Filet mignon with onions and sausage insides (a German dish)
• Spaetzle in pepper gravy
  

Dessert:

• Fruit and custard trifle
• Andes creme de menthe chip cookies (thanks Devan!)

So, do you think there will be enough food to feed the four of us? What's that? For a week, at least? Yeah, you're probably right--but did I mention that I brought some of the cookies in to my office today? Doesn't that make it more reasonable? Still not? Oh, well. New Year's Eve only happens once a year, right? So here's to making it a memorable one, if through nothing more than an unforgettable stomachache.

Happy New Year, everyone! Here's hoping it'll be a great one for all of us.