Entertaining with
Ralph Vincent
A New Year’s Eve Celebration! Ideas for relaxed entertaining your guests will love… and you will too! Heather’s Holiday Buzz
NEW YEAR’S EVE will soon be here so let’s get ready to welcome 2022! As far as I am concerned New Year’s Eve is always an occasion to celebrate with friends, and family, delicious food, drinks, and of course champagne!
• 1-ounce vanilla infused vodka • ½ ounce Grand Marnier
Here is a party menu perfect for a New Year’s Eve celebration. I have included new recipes for some delicious cocktail bites and as expected… a signature cocktail too!
Cheers!
But wait there’s more! A New Year’s Eve celebration is not complete without the bubbly, so I have included a list of sparkling wine selections from wine consultant Paul Parker at Purdy’s Discount Wine and Liquors. The selections vary in style and price, and each is from a different country. Thank You, Paul! Let’s get started... My latest cocktail creation was inspired by my long-time hair stylist extraordinaire Heather Hamilton. We frequently talk about food and cocktails while she works her magic on my hair. During one of our conversations, she suggested the delicious creamy chocolate milk from the Battenkill Valley Creamery Dairy might make for a killer cocktail. I took her idea and ran with it and the result is a heavenly drink I call “Heather’s Holiday Buzz.” You and your guests will love this yummy chocolate and orange flavored cocktail. Now onto cocktail party nibbles. We will start with Tikka Masala Cocktail “Meatballs.” My Tikka Masala sauce recipe is close to the traditional version, but the addition of coconut milk gives it a velvety mouth feel. An interesting twist is that I use a meatless plant-based ground mixture instead of beef and flaxseed and water as a binder instead of eggs. The result is a lighter texture and tender “meatball” that I think tastes like the real thing. Next is my recipe for a delicious sweet and savory bite, Crostini with Feta Cheese, Honey and Toasted Walnuts. Finally, my Marinated Cocktail Olives are not only salty deliciousness but are so easy to prepare too. Serve them alongside purchased marinated mushrooms and giardiniera for an appetizing olive tray. The only thing left to do is add some more “store bought” items to round out and complete your menu. How about a tray with a variety of cheeses from mild brie to full flavored gorgonzola? Add some salted almonds and fresh grapes and you are done.
78 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | HOLIDAY 2021
• Thin strip of orange zest to garnish
DIRECTIONS: Place all ingredients except the orange zest in an ice filled cocktail shaker, secure the lid and shake for about 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe or martini glass and float the orange zest on top.
Marinated Cocktail Olives • One 6 ounce can of small black pitted olives drained • One 10 ounce jar of small pimento stuffed green olives drained (save the brine for dirty martinis!) Serve these yummy olives along with purchased marinated mushrooms and drained Italian giardiniera for an impressive olive platter. Giardiniera is a blend of pickled vegetables you can find in most supermarkets – my fave is Mezzetta brand.
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil • 2 cloves of garlic minced • 2 tablespoons of capers drained • 2 tablespoons of grated lemon zest • 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning • 1 pinch of red pepper flakes
Happy Holidays! I hope 2022 will be a happy and healthy year for all. Until next time have fun in your kitchen, enjoy cooking for the people you love, and don’t stress yourself out.
Remember it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to taste good!
• 1½ ounces Battenkill Dairy chocolate milk
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DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir well to combine. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours stirring the mixture 4 or 5 times. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving and stir again. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
