29 Realistic New Year's Eve Recipes That Are Just A Tiny Bit Fancy
Ring in the New Year with a meal that tastes extra special.
This New Year's Eve might look a little different for many people, but you can still get a little festive and celebrate at home. Here are a bunch of special New Year's recipes that are just a step above the ordinary but still totally realistic. Because the end of 2020 is something worth celebrating, right?
1. Bruschetta With Burrata, Brussels Sprouts, and Pancetta
In place of tomatoes, this seasonal bruschetta calls for shaved Brussels sprouts and crispy pancetta on top of creamy burrata cheese.
Recipe: Bruschetta With Burrata, Brussels Sprouts, and Pancetta
2. Whipped Feta and Goat Cheese With Hot Honey
It wouldn't be a holiday without party dips. Or cheese, for that matter. So this feta and goat cheese dip topped with hot honey checks off both boxes.
3. Smoked Salmon Flatbread
Start with pizza dough, flatbread, naan, or even crackers as the base of this sophisticated appetizer. Top it with cream cheese, thinly sliced smoked salmon, capers, red onion, and a drizzle of lemon for good measure.
Recipe: Smoked Salmon Pizza
These mini crab cakes are made with lump crab meat, yogurt, lemon, and panko breadcrumbs, then they're baked from start to finish.
5. Stuffed Mushrooms
White button mushrooms are stuffed with a mixture of diced cornichons, shallots, cream cheese, Parmesan, and mushroom stems that have been sautéed in butter. They're baked in the oven until melty and golden brown.
Recipe: Stuffed Mushrooms
New year's resolutions include: eat more lobster.
Recipe: Mini Lobster Rolls
Thinly sliced eggplant gets rolled with ricotta cheese, covered in pesto and marinara sauce, arranged in a baking dish, topped with even more cheese, and baked until tender and melted.
Recipe: Eggplant Rollatini
This crispy, roasted cauliflower is a delicious mix of salty and sweet, and it makes for a show-stopping side dish. Or it can be served with pita bread and dips like hummus or romesco, making it a standalone main.
Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower With Breadcrumbs, Capers, Almonds, and Raisins
9. Chili Soy Salmon With Crispy Rice and Kale
The underrated ingredient in this Japanese-inspired salmon dish is the rice. Pan-sear sushi rice in a thin layer of coconut oil or vegetable oil until it gets golden and crunchy.
Lamb chops aren't cheap, but for a special occasion they're a real treat. Easy to prepare, you don't have to be an experienced chef to make these taste restaurant-quality.
Recipe: Grilled Lamb Chops
These steaks are simply seasoned with rosemary and garlic, then they're pan-seared and topped with an incredibly creamy sauce made with butter, shallots, mushrooms, mustard, milk, and white wine.
The best way to start any new year on the right foot is with a bowl of creamy and hearty sausage pasta, am I right?
Recipe: Rigatoni With Sausage and Kale
If you don't love shrimp, you could top this creamy risotto with just about anything. Or just stick with the mushrooms and keep it vegetarian.
Recipe: Mushroom Parmesan Shrimp Risotto
While you can use any kind of pork chops for this recipe, thick-cut boneless pork chops are the best option for absorbing lots of the delicious Dijon sauce.
16. Baked Gnocchi
If you want to get really fancy, try making potato gnocchi from scratch. Or just grab your favorite store-bought kind.
Recipe: Baked Gnocchi
You don't need many ingredients to whip up this cast iron skillet steak. It's seasoned simply with salt and pepper, then tossed in a pan sauce made with garlic, butter, parsley, and white wine.
Recipe: Garlic Butter Flank Steak
For a vegetarian meal that even meat-lovers will enjoy, these thick and juicy portobello steaks are topped with a herbaceous avocado chimichurri made with parsley, garlic, shallot, olive oil, and lemon juice.
Cheese-filled ravioli is a secret weapon in any kitchen. Tossed in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce and topped with some fresh herbs, it's effortlessly fancy.
Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Ravioli
20. Creamy Mozzarella Scallop Pasta
You can use any seafood you can get your hands on to make this decadent pasta: lobster, mussels, littleneck clams, shrimp, you name it.
Recipe: Creamy Mozzarella Scallop Pasta
21. Halibut Piccata
This classic Italian dish is usually made with chicken, but this creative version calls for halibut instead. You can really use any firm, white fish like skate wing, sole, flounder, or even cod.
Recipe: Halibut Piccata
If you're not a fan of turkey use whatever ingredient you like best for the meatballs: chicken, pork, or even a vegetarian version would taste delicious.
Recipe: Baked Turkey Meatballs With Creamy Polenta And Marinara
Holidays call for carbo-loading, and this carbonara recipe with a twist is the perfect way to celebrate.
24. Prosciutto Chicken Involtini with Spinach & Ricotta
If you're tired of boring roast chicken, this recipe is the perfect way to switch things up. Thinly sliced chicken breasts are rolled with zucchini, spinach, ricotta cheese, and prosciutto, then they're cooked in olive oil, white wine, and garlic.
Recipe: Seared Scallops With Mango Salsa
26. Easy Pistachio Cake Recipe
This moist and fluffy cake gets its flavor from two secret ingredients: 7Up soda and instant pudding. It might sound strange, but the decadent result will dispel any doubts.
Recipe: Easy Pistachio Cake Recipe
27. Mini Key Lime Pies
The best thing about mini pies is that no one can judge you for having two...or three or four.
Recipe: Mini Key Lime Pies
28. French Silk Pie
This delicate yet rich pie features a two ingredient chocolate crust and a luscious chocolate filling made of cocoa, cream, eggs, and butter.
Recipe: French Silk Pie
Light and airy yet totally indulgent as all chocolate mousse should be, this dessert calls for just four ingredients: egg yolks, granulated sugar, heavy cream, and milk chocolate.
Recipe: Milk Chocolate Mousse