New Year's Day menu ideas

[mtemm]

we just moved back to an area we used to live in and are hosting an open house/housewarming party on new year's day for our friends and their children (children range in age between 4 months and 9 years). Looking for some ideas for food to serve...we want to keep this casual, it won't be a sit-down type of thing and will be during the day. Any ideas? recipes would be a bonus.

Thanks!!!

 

[stinkerbelle]

hehe...every new years day we go to my DH's grandmother's house and have sushi and skiyaki. (yes, she's japanese) It's actually very good!

Keep it simple though! deli platters, cheese/crackers, maybe some salads, maybe a hot roast beef to carve up?

 

[clarabelle]

In the south we eat Black eyed peas and greens on New Years Day

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

Well I've always had either Ham Hocks and Navy beans w/Corn Bread (southern traditional poorman's meal) or Chinese food (New England Tradition from Ex Husband)

 

[ash&abby'smom]

We always have a pork roast, black eye peas (for luck) and cabbage (money). I think this is definately a southern tradition.

 

[aprild]

Black-Eyed Peas!!!

 

[mtemm]

growing up we always had black eyed peas, too, but I refused to eat them. hmmm...may just go ahead and make some this year and give them a try finally. Any recipes to share?

 

[Denine]

I always put a pork roast in the crockpot with a jar of sauerkraut; cook it for 10-12 hours on low and yummy! I also cook up some spaetzel. I used to make homemade, but no time anymore. I buy it already made in the refrigerator section at the grocery store.
Whatever you serve, don't serve chicken.

I am cooking up a crockpot full of BBQ pork ribs for NYE.

 

[SEAlla]

Not a good idea for a stand up meal but we always have 16 bean soup and invite all of our friends over to eat and relax.

Beens = good luck on New Year's day.

 

[rnd4life]

We always have cabbage and black eyed peas on New Year's Day, too.

I second what Stinkerbelle said, deli and cheese trays, maybe a small platter of fruit. That way everyone can make their own sandwiches and there's a lot of variety.

 

[kmebee]

Whatever you serve, don't serve chicken.

Was just going to post the same thing. In my ethnicity, we believe that eating chicken on New Years Day is bad luck. Chickens scratch backwards and you want to move ahead in the new year, not back. Also eat pork for good luck but don't know where that comes from.

I agree with the deli tray, cheese tray, fruit tray, maybe some pastries, veggies, dips (I love different dips). Keeping it light - sort of.

 

[PrincessDeb]

In my area, we always have pork and sauerkraut on NY's Day for good luck.

 

[MinnieM3]

Pork of some kind here; hoppin'john (which is field peas,rice,bacon very yummy!) for luck, and collards for riches in the New Year. Strictly Southern thing... maybe just Charleston. I'll try to print the recipe. I know many people do the black eyed peas, but here it's actually field peas, which are very similar. Gotta soak 'em overnight!

 

[jcsbama]

Add my name to the southern tradition of pork, black-eyed peas and greens on New Year's.

What about a big pot of soup or chili and hotdogs. You could have all the different toppings for a good bowl of chili, chili dogs, etc. That would be something the adults and kids would enjoy. I made a big pot of hamburger vegetable soup the other night. You could always rinse a can of black-eyed peas and add that as well (for good luck), but I wouldn't do it until closer to the end so they don't become mush. I would also add a little more liquid if adding the peas.
Here's the recipe for Hamburger Vegetable Soup:
3 lbs ground chuck (beef, sirloin, your choice)
1 cup chopped onion
3 cans beef broth
3 cups water
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup sliced carrots
2 cups shredded cabbage
2 cans tomatoes with juice
1 tsp ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste

In a large stock pot, Brown meat and onions together. Drain well. Return meat and onions to pot and add remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer over low-med low heat for two hours, stirring occassionally.

 

[CheshireVal]

Our traditional family New Year's meal is black eyed peas and collard greens. I, however, hate collard greens and refuse to eat them, so I'm happy to hear about the cabbage idea!

My mom also used to do a neat dessert: she'd bake a batch of brownies with only one pecan in the batter. Later, after the brownies were sliced and served, whoever found that pecan in their brownie was supposed to have good luck all year.