Last Minute New Year’s Entertaining

NEWS FEATURE

Last Minute New Year’s Entertaining

By Michele E. Buttelman

Signal Staff Writer

New Year’s 2023 will be a somewhat drawn-out affair this year with some events traditionally celebrated and held on Jan. 1 pushed to Jan 2.

If you are expecting to wake up Jan. 1 to the spectacle of Rose Parade floats traveling down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena you will be disappointed. As in previous years when New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday the Tournament of Roses “never on Sunday” rule will be in effect.

In addition, none of the college bowl games will be played on Jan. 1. That day officially belongs to the NFL this year, as New Year’s falls on a Sunday.

In 2023 the 134th Rose Parade and 109th Rose Bowl Game will be held on Monday, Jan. 2.

The Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl are set for New Year’s Eve, while the Cotton Bowl and Citrus Bowl will join the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2.

With this “extra day” to celebrate the New Year you might decide to invite friends and family over to enjoy the festivities.

Here are few easy ideas for last minute New Year’s Jan. 1 or Jan. 2 entertaining. All recipes are made easily within 30 minutes.

Happy New Year 2023!

Classic Nachos

5 cups tortilla chips 1 pound ground beef 1 package taco seasoning mix 1 15 ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained 2 - 3 cups shredded cheddar, Colby Jack, or Mexican cheese blend Because everything is better with bacon you can also include six strips of bacon, crumbled into the meat mixture as an optional add-in. Optional toppings can include thinly sliced green onion, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, seeded and sliced fresh jalapeño, diced red pepper, diced tomatoes, chunky salsa, queso, sour cream and guacamole. Preheat oven to 350 F. On a large sheet pan spread out enough chips to fill the pan. In a large skillet brown the ground beef over medium heat until cooked through. Drain off fat. Add contents of taco seasoning mix and cook according to directions on the package. Stir the beans into the beef. Mash up the beans as you mix just well enough to spread the beans throughout the mixture. Don’t overmix. Now is the time to add in the crumbled bacon if you chose this option. Spoon half of the mixture over chips. Sprinkle with half the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from oven. Top with remaining chips, beef mixture and cheese. Bake for 10 minutes more, or until cheese melts. Top with green onions, jalapeños, diced avocado and tomatoes. Offer chunky salsa, sour cream and guacamole “on the side” for guests to add to their nachos. Let everyone grab a plate and dig into the sheet pan for their own portion of nachos.

Fireside Cocktail

Elote Baked Corn Dip

4 ounces cream cheese softened 1/2 cup sour cream 3 cups corn kernels, roasted and charred 1/2 cup red bell pepper diced 4 1/2 ounces mild green chilies diced;1 can drained 1/2 cup bacon crumbled 1/4 cup cilantro chopped 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded, divided Optional garnish can include roasted corn kernels, crumbled bacon, diced red peppers and chopped cilantro. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Coat an 8x8 baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk the cream cheese until mostly smooth. Add the sour cream and mix together until combined. Drain corn well (either canned or frozen) and place on a large sheet pan. Roast under the broiler for 5-10 minutes to char the corn. It will take longer if the corn is too “wet.” Add the corn, red bell pepper, chilies, bacon, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper and 1 cup of the shredded cheese to the bowl. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Spoon the dip into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese over the top. Bake for 30 minutes or until dip is bubbly and cheese is melted. Garnish with additional corn, peppers, bacon and cilantro if desired. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

Little BBQ Smokies

There are two ways to make this recipe. Throw all the ingredients into a slow cooker and cook for an hour and half on high.

Or throw all three ingredients into a pot on the stove. Turn the burner to medium and cook for about 20 minutes. Stir often.

You will need:

30 oz. of Little Smokies Cocktail Sausages (you can easily double this recipe for a large crowd)

Large bottle of any storebought BBQ sauce made with brown sugar 1 cup, any brand, grape jelly

Let guests serve themselves by using toothpicks to pluck however many of these tasty treats they want.

Another option is to serve with King’s Hawaiian Bread rolls for Little BBQ Smokies sliders.

Fireside Cocktail

For the New Year, try a new cocktail. Grey Goose has whipped up the Fireside Cocktail to celebrate the season and the New Year. 4 oz. Grey Goose vodka 1 oz. organic maple syrup 1 sprig rosemary 5 oz. pink grapefruit juice 1 pinch of salt In the bottom of a rocks glass briefly crush the rosemary leaves into the maple syrup and salt. Fill glass with ice and add the vodka. Top with fresh pink grapefruit juice and salt and stir well. Garnish with an extra sprig of rosemary. 