New Years Dinner 2017! Delicious ideas for the upcoming Holiday.

New Year’s 2017! Still can’t believe that the year is over. Will take me time to get used to writing the proper year, usually by February it sinks in for me.

It’s not easy to cook, entertain, and take good pictures and videos of the event.

I think I’m getting more relaxed at doing this. I never know until the beginning of cooking what exactly I’m going to do and that’s why I can’t give out my list. It’s never realistic as much as I try.

Sushi cake: crabmeat, rice, cucumbers, eggs, caviar cream, yum-yum sauce, nori, smoked salmon, red caviar

I love LOW EFFORT – HIGH IMPACT dishes! And this is exactly what I’ve done this year! Hopefully, this will serve as an inspiration for your next holiday celebration.

New Year’s Menu

Appetizers

Chicken Pate (Delicious by Mother-in-law)
Baked low-carb tortilla chips (to go along with Chicken Pate)
Sushi Cake (rice made in Instant Pot)
Baked Spanakopita triangles (Costco, freezer section)
Seledka (herrings) with red onions, olives, dill and tomatoes
Boiled young potatoes with butter, olive oil, dill, and garlic
Tomatoes and cucumbers plate

Salad

Salad Oliver (Delicious by Mother-in-law)
Chicken Salad Christmas Tree

Main Dishes

Marinated and Seared Rack of Lamb with garlic and tomatoes
Marinated and Seared Lamb loins with onions and mushrooms
Creamy mashed potatoes
Garlic and wine Marinated and Seared Jumbo Shrimp
Fried rice with edamame (rice made in Instant Pot)
Salmon Meatballs
Lo-Mein (Costco)
Pan-seared vegetables with garlic and wine

Dessert

One-Bowl Fudgy Chocolate cake with homemade decorations
Ice cream cone Chocolate/Coconut Trees
Sees boxed chocolates
Fruit plate

Chicken Salad Christmas Tree
VIDEO RECIPE

Super delicious and adds so much to the festive mood of this magical season!

Marinated Greek Lamb Chops with garlic and tomatoes. So Delicious!!!

Marinated and Seared Rack of Lamb with garlic and tomatoes

Recipe here

Australian Lamb Loin chops and Mashed potatoes (Video Recipe)

Salmon Meatballs with Yum-Yum sauce

How to make Salmon Meatballs with Yum-Yum sauce

I will make this one again and again. It does resemble Gefilte fish (farshirovannaya ryba) in a way.

Ingredients:

– 1 1/2 pound Cooked Salmon
– 2 Large eggs
– 1 Cup Italian flavor Panco bread crumbs
– 2 green onions, minced
– 1 medium tomato, diced
– 2 Tbsp. fresh dill, minced
– 1 Tbsp. Olive oil
– salt/pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients.

Spray Pam on a foil-lined cookie sheet or use Parchment paper.

Take a small bowl of water, wet your hands and shape the Salmon mix into meatballs. Leave space in between.

Bake in the Preheated at 350F oven for 15 minutes.

Serve warm or cold.

You can serve Salmon Meatballs as is, or add butter and lemon juice, or use your favorite Teriyaki sauce as I have, or Avocado Sauce (avocado, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, salt/pepper). It’s all up to you.

Desserts

One-Bowl Fudgy Chocolate cake with homemade decorations.

My son has asked me to bake a Chocolate cake for New Year’s and he Absolutely Loved this one. It tastes like Chocolate Brownie Cake. Soft and Fudgy. My son prefers his slice warm when the chocolate on top melts, while my Hubby likes his cold from the fridge. Find a perfect way for you to enjoy this Delicious cake.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
½ teaspoons baking soda
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
dash of salt
½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar
6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup of brown sugar or ¾ cup (see notes below)
2 eggs
1 cup of milk
1 tsp of vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large bowl, melt chocolate and butter in the microwave.
While warm, add brown sugar and whisk together.
Stir and whisk one egg at a time.
Add milk and vanilla extract.
Whisk together until well combined.
Gently mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Don’t over-mix.
Place a sheet of parchment paper on the bottom of the 9-inch cake pan.
Spray Baker’s Joy Baking Spray with flour and brush the sides.
Pour batter into a greased pan.
Bake in the Preheat to 350F oven for 25 to 30 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out with dry.

For decorations, melt additional chocolate in the microwave. Roll out wax paper. Add a drop of chocolate onto paper and with a toothpick spread the chocolate. Let it dry for few minutes and attach decorations with melted chocolate. Brush the top of the cake with melted chocolate as well. Decorate with embellishments and crushed nuts.

Notes: I always choose recipes that are lower in carbs and sugar. I have added just ½ cup of brown sugar since I’ve brushed melted chocolate on top. If you want just a plain cake, add ¾ sugar instead.

Ice cream cone Chocolate/Coconut Trees

Ice cream cone Chocolate/Coconut Trees from the previous year.

Just dip the sugar cones in melted chocolate and nuts. Then dip some in shredded coconuts, and some in powdered sugar.

Perfect melted chocolate!

So glad that I can share food and pack several meals for my Mother-in-law. She doesn’t have time to cook for herself since she takes care of her ill husband. She is my #1 Fan! Always comments on my posts, always appreciate everything I do. So glad that my in-laws are here and we can bring them happiness! We are a small family, but we’re really close-knit!