American Holidays | New Year's Eve Indulgence

We love rituals and traditions.
We create them for all kinds of events and holidays. We do something once; it works out well, so we do it again. It doesn’t take long for us to become committed to a ritual to the point that it gains its own meaning, we miss it when it doesn’t happen, and it becomes a source of fond memories.

When my children were in elementary school, apparently I took them to a particular restaurant on days when they had early dismissal. I didn’t realize we had been repeating the pattern until one time I asked where they wanted to go to lunch. My younger said, “We have to go there, because it’s our routine!” My older is in graduate school and the younger is in college and they still talk about those lunches!

Over the years my family has celebrated New Year’s Eve many ways and with different friends. But we seem to have settled into two traditions.

First, over a bottle of sparkling wine, we decide on our tzedakah (charitable donations) for the year. For tax reasons we want to write checks or make online donations before the end of the year. We are so grateful to be able to support organizations that make differences in the world in ways that we love.

We support Jewish causes and secular, Israel-based organizations and domestic, arts and music, environmental causes, LGBTQ allies, anti-bullying, scientific research, and support for patients with various diseases. We donate to organizations that work around the world and to our own local volunteer rescue squad.

Each member of our family can nominate organizations they choose. Over the years, we have adopted manatees in Florida, bought Shabbat dinners in Jerusalem, and supported our high school band program.

​Focusing on our good fortune and gratitude is a powerful and meaningful way to celebrate ending an old year and beginning a new one.

Second, of course, is the food.

Unlike the raucous and wild celebrations of our youth, New Year’s Eve has turned into an evening we spend with our family or just a few friends. As I’ve said many times, the complexity of the menu is inversely related to the number of guests. So, while I keep the menu simple for larger gatherings, the small guest list for New Year’s Eve lets me play around with an elaborate or complicated menu.

I might prepare a series of snacks and nibbles that roll out in pairs or threes. Roasted Butternut Squash with Pesto. Mushroom Turnovers. Spicy Olives. Deviled Eggs. Tiny Potatoes with Caviar. Savory Biscotti. Fried Zucchini with Parmesan. Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates. and Smoked Salmon on Potato Chips. Cannolis.

Or a meat menu. Salt & Pepper Wings. Baked Salami. Olive Tapenade. A trio of shmears – Roasted Red Pepper, Edamame, and Hummus. A pair of Bruschettas – White Bean and Tomato. Parve Chocolate Mousse. Fresh Fruit Sorbet.

If I’m not in the mood to graze, a full multi-course meal with wine pairings can be an amazing way to spend a leisurely evening with a few friends. For just four or six people, I love to pull out all the china, silverware, and crystal – a different plate, glass, and utensil for every course.

Here is a beautiful menu, filled with all my favorite things.
With Cocktails:
Spiced Pecans

With White Wine:
Chestnut Soup
Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons served in a Parmesan Cup
Mushroom Risotto with Truffle paste
Pan Seared Mediterranean Cod with Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts

With Port
Chocolate Pate and Orange Sorbet

With Bubbly for a midnight toast:
Cheese Plate with Chutney & Dried Fruit

Pausing to enjoy the wine and clean up between courses, a meal like this can last several hours, certainly long enough to fill most of the evening. By the time we pop the first bottle of bubbly, it’s time to start channel flipping between the various New Year’s Eve specials on television, while complaining loudly about the shocking state of current pop music. The ball drops in Times Square and we share one last toast before bed.

In the morning, we have one more bottle of bubbly with Caviar and Toast while watching the Rose Bowl Parade. The rest of the day is filled with college football, leftovers, and at some point, a nap.

​Recipes Coming Soon.