Wednesday, December 31, 2008

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.

28 comments:

  1. Sounds yummy!

    Happy New Year to you and Torsten!

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  2. Sounds delicious! Have fun and happy New Year!

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  3. I love how much thought you've put into your guests and your menu. Bet it will be a great meal. Which reminds me ... our friends are cooking a rack of lamb for us ... all we have to do is drive 2.5 hours to go see them in Wisconsin. Sounds like a fair trade to me! Happy NYE!

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  4. Wow, that sounds AMAZING. Much yummier and more involved than our planned grazing bar... enjoy the evening! You guys are so thoughtful to take such good care of your friends with a baby. :)

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  5. i LOVE that you mentioned the baby who "only eats breast milk" -- that cracked me up. :P

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  6. New Year's Eve is a long night though. Best to have lots of food to sustain you through to midnight, right? That's my theory at least, and I'm sticking with it! Not that I have a menu planned beyond christmas cookies and leftovers from last night. Am lame. Will probably watch the east coast new year's celebrations on cable and be in bed by 10.

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  7. mmmm...that sounds good! happy new year!

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  8. Sounds great! I love the Andes cookies, I made them for Christmas and they were by far the favorite!

    Happy New Year!

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  9. Sounds amazing! A meal that's that well planned will leave your guests with anything but a stomach ache- I hope there are pictures!

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  10. The menu sounds awesome. I think a tasty dinner with good friends is a great way to bring in the new year. Enjoy!

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  11. drool.
    can i come over?

    it sounds divine! allll of it! happy new year!

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  12. Mmmmm! That sounds awesome! Happy New Year, Jess!

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  13. If we lived closer I would totally crash your non-party. It sounds divine! Happy New Year!

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  14. I hope the menu wasn't a surprise...Yummy! I am bringing a large appetite. So excited. Thank you sweet friend!
    Christiana

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  15. Good crimany. Makes out weiners in a blanket seem a bit meh, doesn't it. Next year, we're coming there. Unless you really like weiners in a blanket... Happy New Year!

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  16. Ahhh...you had me at microbrewed beer. And then again at brie and goat cheese, again at spaetzle in pepper gravy (recipe?) and if I had butter in the house, I'd be all OVER those cookies!

    Happy New Year J & T!

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  17. Mmmm! Yummy! I hope you have an awesome dinner, your menu sounds amazing :D Happy New Year!

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  18. Oh dude. I'd so be over there if I hadn't been in Mexico!

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  19. Hope it went well. That menu sure sounded delicious.

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  20. yum yum yummm! hope you guys had a FANTASTIC time! and here's to 4 day weekends ;-)

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  21. Wow, I would have totally invited myself over if I lived nearby. Even if I didn't have an address, I'd only need to follow my nose.

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  22. Happy New Year! I hope 2009 brings you all you want!

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  23. yum! everything sounds delicious! hope it went well!

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  24. Your menu sounds delish!! I hope it turned out well and you had a FABULOUS new years!!

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