New Year's Eve menu planning

[Janet H]

DC did such a great job rounding out my Christmas party and now I'm looking for help with a new years eve bash.

We are having an informal party and music jam - I expect about 40 folks to wander through between 8 PM and midnight and expect number of them will bring something to share. Still, I think I need to provide some basics. I'm not interested in cooking during the evening and need the food to be mostly self serve. Here's what I have so far:

• Ham rolls - make them yourself. I'll have a spiral cut ham, rolls, cheese, mayo, mustard and pickles.
• Crock pot of black eyed peas and collards - traditional and good for vegetarians.
• Popcorn

What else?

[Kayelle]

It's been such a long time since I've been to a NYE house party Janet. It sounds like great fun, can we come? Tell us about the music.

Hmm, let's see. How about some finger food? I think there's a thread around here with all kinds of ideas. I'll go look.

Here tiz...Appetizers for the Holiday Season

[GotGarlic]

You could check through the thread K'girl started for dips and pick one or two to serve with crudités.

Boursin-turkey-basil pinwheels.

Seven-Layer Mexican dip with tortilla chips.

Fruit and cheese platter with strawberry or lemon yogurt for dipping.

Antipasto platter - sliced cured Italian meats, cheeses, roasted red peppers, olives with sliced Italian bread and/or crackers.

[Dawgluver]

Crock pot meatballs and/or Lil Smokies in grape jelly and chili sauce. Peasant fare, but they are really good and popular.

[Aunt Bea]

A potato or macaroni salad to go with the ham rolls.

A large platter with the last of the Christmas cookies, candy, fruitcake and other treats so you can start the new year without any temptations.

Also the meatball/Lil Smokie thing is great made with a can of cranberry sauce this time of year. Just melt a can of the jelly or whole berry sauce in with the bottle of chili sauce instead of the grape jelly.

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by Kayelle

It's been such a long time since I've been to a NYE house party Janet. It sounds like great fun, can we come? Tell us about the music.

Sure - lots of room. The music will be whatever guests come up with. I am a musician and have a band. New years eve is traditionally a full employment night for musicians but also one of the nastiest nights to play. Bad weather, lots of drunks and chaos; so a few years ago my band stopped playing on this night and now we have a party. We invite family and friends; most of our friends are also musicians and we'll have an nice acoustic jam.

Originally Posted by GotGarlic

You could check through the thread K'girl started for dips and pick one or two to serve with crudités.

Boursin-turkey-basil pinwheels.

Yum!!

Originally Posted by Dawgluver

Crock pot meatballs and/or Lil Smokies in grape jelly and chili sauce. Peasant fare, but they are really good and popular.

We are peasants and these are all great suggestions...

[Kayelle]

Originally Posted by Janet H

Sure - lots of room. The music will be whatever guests come up with. I am a musician and have a band. New years eve is traditionally a full employment night for musicians but also one of the nastiest nights to play. Bad weather, lots of drunks and chaos; so a few years ago my band stopped playing on this night and now we have a party. We invite family and friends; most of our friends are also musicians and we'll have an nice acoustic jam.

Now I know for sure I want to come Janet!! I can't think of a better NYE!!

[Kaneohegirlinaz]

... I'll bring my ukulele ...

I found this on Pinterest and think it would get at room temp for a time, a make-ahead platter

Loaded Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls recipe - from Tablespoon!

[Dawgluver]

I can play the finger cymbals...

Used to be decent on the bassoon. Nowadays, probably not so much.

[PrincessFiona60]

Don't forget a little horseradish for the ham rolls.

I would set out small dishes of glazed nuts, salty and savory.

I can play the stereo...