RecipesExplore Recipes That You Can Try For Easy Canapes To Make Ahead This New Year’s Eve

In this blog we will discuss:

• Easy Canapes To Make Ahead For New Year’s Eve
• Easy Nibbles To Have With Drinks To Try This New Year’s
• New Year’s Eve Party Ideas For Hosting
• Countdown To 2024 Has Begun!!

Easy Canapes To Make Ahead For New Year’s Eve

The end of the year is slowly approaching and we are looking forward to what 2024 has. We have finally reached the end and looking back to 2023, it has been a whirlwind! Nonetheless, now is the time to kick back and relax! Whether you are going away on holiday or simply just staying at home and enjoying this time with family and friends, you know we have got you covered.

You may be wondering ‘What are festive canapes?’ They are appetisers that consist of bread or crackers with your favourite savoury toppings. These can be done for any occasion and your guests will love you for it. ‘Tis the season to be happy, and what is one way to celebrate than to create your very own festive canapes? We are going to share with you a variety of recipes that you can try out for this festive season. Get cracking with your favourite easy canapes to make ahead.

New Year’s Eve Canape Recipes For You

Courgettes Fritters With Cold-Smoked Salmon

Ingredients

• 2 x 100g packets of Huon Premium Cold Smoked Salmon
• 2 courgettes, grated
• 400g potatoes, peeled and grated
• 3 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 egg, lightly whisked
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• ⅔ cup (160g) sour cream
• Lemon zest, to serve
• Dill sprigs, to serve

Method

• Step 1 - Chop the Salmon into small pieces and set aside. Squeeze out the excess water from the courgettes and discard the water. Combine the courgette, potato, spring onion, egg and flour in a bowl and season using your hands gently.
• Step 2 - Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Work in batches, drop heaped tablespoons of the mixture and flatten gently with a spatula. Cook for 3 minutes on each side until fritters are golden brown and crisp. Place on a lined plate for the excess oil to drain.
• Step 3 - Place fritters on a platter and top up with Salmon, sour cream, lemon zest and dill. You can season more if needed and serve.

Turkey, Brie And Apricot Sausage Roll Bites

Ingredients

• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 finely chopped brown onion
• 500g turkey mince
• 50g brie, chilled and finely chopped
• ⅓ cup apricot jam
• 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh thyme
• 3 sheets of frozen butter puff pastry, partially thawed and halved
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp cracked black pepper

Method

• Step 1 - Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat and add onion. Fry until soft and see-through and set aside to cool down.
• Step 2 - Add the mince, brie, jam, breadcrumbs and ¼ cup thyme. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.
• Step 3 - Preheat oven to 200 ℃/180℃. Line up 2 baking trays with baking paper and place the pastry flat on the baking tray. Add a ⅓ cup of the turkey mixture, roll up and close the pastry. Repeat until all the pastry and turkey mixture is finished.
• Step 4 - Cut each long stuffed pastry roll into 7 pieces. Brush with egg, sprinkle the spice mixture over the rolls and refrigerate for 20 minutes until nice and chilled.
• Step 5 - Remove from refrigerator and place into oven until golden brown or cooked through.

Mini Chicken Jalfrezi Pies

These mini chicken jalfrezi pies are normally cooked in a patty pan and are perfect as a starter when hosting. They are also freezer-friendly, so you can make them ahead of New Year’s Eve.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 500g chicken thigh fillets, trimmed, cut into 1cm pieces
• 1 small red capsicum, finely chopped
• 3 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 long green chilli, finely chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tsp caster sugar
• 2 tsp cornflour
• 2 sheets frozen shortcrust pastry, partially thawed
• 2 sheets of frozen puff pastry, partially thawed
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp poppy seeds
• Mango chutney, to serve

Method

• Step 1 - Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and cook chicken for 3 minutes or until browned. Add capsicum and tomato. Cook further until capsicum softens.
• Step 2 - Add garlic, chilli, garam masala, cumin, turmeric and sugar. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. In a separate bowl, add cornflour and water and combine and pour into the masala mixture. Cook until the mixture thickens.
• Step 3 - Preheat oven to 220℃/200℃.
• Step 4 - Cut 18 x 7cm circles from shortcrust pastry. Press 1 pastry round into each prepared hole and divide the mixture evenly. Cut 18 x 6cm circles from puff pastry. Brush one side of the pastry circles with egg and place the egg side down over the chicken filling. Seal the edges by pinching them and brushing with the egg on top. You can sprinkle with poppy seeds and using a sharp knife, put a slit in each pastry lid and bake for 25 minutes. Serve with chutney and enjoy.

Antipasto Platter

These are great for creating a feast fit for royalty with the antipasto platter. The addition of a fresh salad will elevate the dish and add freshness to the dish making it the perfect appetiser.

Ingredient

• Meats - Use a selection of cured meats such as salami, pepperoni, sopressata, capicola, coppa and prosciutto.
• Cheese - you can include gorgonzola, mozzarella balls, parmigiano reggiano, asiago or fontina for your platter.
• Vegetables - use fresh, roasted or pickled veggies such as roasted red bell peppers, grilled aubergine, pepperoncini, cherry peppers, artichoke hearts, grilled or marinated mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, pickled garlic cloves, cucumbers and carrots.
• Olives - black and green olives always make it look good and of course, the taste.
• Bread - Fresh baked bread like ciabatta, baguette, breadsticks, crostini or flatbread.
• You can add extras like almonds, figs or fresh berries.

Gin And Tonic Traybake Squares

Ingredients

• 200g unsalted butter, softened
• 200g golden castor sugar, plus 2tbsp
• 4 eggs
• 200g plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 6 tbsp gin
• 1 lemon zested and juiced
• 2 tbsp tonic water
• And for the buttercream: 150g unsalted butter
• 400g icing sugar
• 1 tbsp tonic water
• 1 lemon zested and ½ juiced

Method

• Step 1 - Heat oven to 180 ℃/ 160℃ when using gas and line a 20cm x 30cm rectangular cake tin.
• Step 2 - Put the butter and sugar into a bowl and beat until fluffy and pale. Add eggs 1 at a time. Add flour, baking powder, 4 tbsp of gin, the lemon zest and juice and a pinch of salt. Once combined well, pour the mixture into the cake tin. ‘When adding the eggs one at a time, be careful the mixture doesn’t split. If it does, add a tsp of flour to the mixture and mix. This will help the mixture not to split.’ - Nontozakhe Raphadu, baking expert.
• Step 3 - Mix the castor sugar, gin and tonic water.
• Step 4 - Once the cake is done baking, let it cool for 10 minutes then use a skewer to make holes all over. Pour the gin mixture all over the cake, let the juice soak in before removing it and transfer onto a board.
• Step - For the buttercream, whip the butter until soft, and add the icing sugar a spoonful at a time. Mix the gin, tonic water and lemon juice and stir through the buttercream. Spread over the cake sprinkle over the lemon zest and serve.

Easy Nibbles To Have With Drinks

• Mini chicken fajita roll-ups
• Mini duck rice paper rolls with coriander peanut salsa
• Caramelised tomato and goat’s cheese bruschetta
• Chicken and bacon ranch meatballs
• Mini prawn cocktail pappadums

Pair these up with the following drinks:

• The Daiquiri - This classic daiquiri is served shaken over ice, allowing the white rum tropical aromas to take centre stage.
• The Mojito - This is a citrus-forward cocktail that is perfect on a hot day and you can’t go wrong with serving this refreshing cocktail. Serve it with a fresh dish like a garden salad with feta cheese.
• Roasted apple pear mocktail - if you didn’t plan on drinking a mocktail, this will make you want one. Roasted fruit in this recipe is infused with a deep rich almost boozy-flavoured drink.
• Hibiscus and Blueberry Agua Fresca - tastes just as vibrant as it looks and can be served alongside different liquors like tequila and vodka.
• Margarita Pitcher - A Margarita is one of the easiest party drinks you can make for your guests. It isn’t too sweet, it’s just perfect for the New Year’s Eve party.

Check out more drinks BBC Good Food to ensure that your guests enjoy their New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve Party Ideas For Hosting

Hosting people over New Year’s Eve is the best. It’s the last night of the year, everyone is in the spirit of the new year.  Serve appetisers, snacks, and finger foods to satisfy your guests. Set up a few games to keep everyone entertained. End the night with a toast and countdown to celebrate the new year! Let’s take a look at some of the things that you can do to prepare for the New Year’s Eve party.

Plan Your Menu

Everyone is different and has different tastes. When preparing a menu for your guests ensure that you accommodate everyone. Prepare healthy options for those conscious of their weight and the carnivores around. Mix it up with some savoury options and gluten-free options.

Have A Theme

There are a lot of New Year’s Eve themes that you can use for your party. The best thing to do so you are not overwhelmed is to choose a colour. Choose 2 main colours, a neutral and pop colour. This will help you choose accessories that match your theme.

Music

Having good food and music is what makes the party. Ensure that your selection of songs is great and all-rounder. Create a playlist and add your favourite holiday songs so you can play them for your guests.

Thank You Gifts

This is a thoughtful way to thank your guests for honouring the invite. A batch of baked goodies or sweets is a nice and affordable gift that your guests will appreciate.

For more ideas check out Southern Living and get more party games you can play with your guests.

Countdown To 2024 Has Begun!!

The countdown has begun and we are excited to enter the 2024 year with a bang. This is the time to reflect on what we have achieved throughout the year and be grateful for life. This is now time to kick back and relax and enjoy our time with family for what’s left of 2023.

Use our easy canapes to make ahead recipes and easy nibbles to have with drinks ideas. The most important thing is sharing good memories and enjoying them. Spend the last day of the year enjoying it with friends and family and enjoy crossing over to 2024!