My FAVORITE New Year’s RECIPES: Includes Appetizers, The Main Course, Sweet Endings and What to Make for Brunch. See all 41 of them!
New Year’s Eve Appetizers:
a few could be a meal…
NEW!
Kolokithokeftedes are Greek Vegetarian Fritters that are perfect pick-up appetizer when entertainining. Generously dotted with feta cheese and five herbs. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. These 5 Herb Kolokithokeftedes Greek Fritters are addictive!
Make pan-fried fritters, or see my Mini Baked ones!
Dig Into this Incredible Dip that all will devour!
Make ahead and reheat until creamy & bubbly.
Can make without crab for you veggie friends.
Everyone love fondue!
his cheese fondue is luxurious, it has a melting silky texture that elevates anything you dip in it. Mini homemade dinner rolls surround the cheesy Swiss Fondue. The ultimate party food!
Mini homemade dinner rolls surround a cheesy Swiss Fondue ready to dip into
An amazing, fun & delicious EASY appetizer and side dish – these charred peppers are addictive and healthy! Just pick them up, nibble and discard the stems
Simple to make – roll mixture into a log – chill, slice & bake! Top with garden herbs for an elegant touch. Fabulous for snacking, company & holidays ! Crispy, cheesy with herbal notes.
A wonderful and easy appetizer for the holidays all will enjoy! Spread on toasted bread and soak up all the amazing flavors.
Cooks slowly in the oven until the peppers actually melt into the olive oil. Serve with toasted pita triangles or toasted baguette slices.
A Comeback for a Classic Dish! This fresh, seafood-rich trendsetter recipe of the early 20th century takes on a modern flair with Fresh (not frozen) Pink Shrimp and a zippy Louis Sauce. Serve as a salad OR appetizer with shrimp & sauce.
Dip Into This! An Updated, Healthy Roast Garlic and Onion Dip
Need a dip for the holiday get together that doesn’t break the calorie bank? A real crowd pleaser – there won’t be any leftovers! This is a REDUX recipe – a healthier version of Lipton Soup Mix Dip.
A Hearty and Healthy Beet Dip with a Rich Roasted Flavor. Add Homemade Seasoned Flatbread for the Perfect Mezze Starter!
Great for a snack on bread or veggie slices (I’m loving it dolloped on an endive leaves!)… and perfect for company!
Tapas ~ little bites of tasty foods with bold flavors from Spain. These Crispy baguette slices covered with a quick sauté of mushrooms, spiked with sherry & brandy and topped with a delicious Spanish cheese until melted and bubbly.
Nice and filling, a substantial delicious appetizer!
A WOW appetizer – almost too pretty to eat featuring in-season Fresh Figs.
Goat Cheese is whipped with Roasted Butternut Squash and topped with Fresh Figs, Maple-Balsamic Drizzle and Fresh Rosemary. Satisfying, Easy and Real Crowd Pleasers! Just filling enough with healthful ingredients.
Craving some more inspiration?
SEE: More Holiday Party Nibbles & Hors d’oeuvres for 2025
New Year’s Eve Mains:
Buttery Salmon is Lathered with a Smokey & Sweet Spanish Romesco Sauce – All Made on a Sheet Pan. A special restaurant quality recipe to make at home!
Faroe Island Salmon has a high fat content, and a rich and velvety mouthfeel. The flavor is nicely buttery and an incredibly silky texture.
All the buttery, garlicky and lemony flavor with a sprinkling of fresh herbs in a lighter sauce you can make in minutes! An easy one to whip us for your guests…shrimps are always party pleasers!
See too: Karen’s Skewered Shrimp Scampi Appetizer
Like your Shrimp a little spicy? An easy and pungent marinade transforms Shrimp with intense flavor.
Simply grill with sesame seeds in a cast iron skillet. Add a simple glaze or use as part of a Spa Salad with Roasted Veggies, Rice Noodles and an Asian Orange-Sesame Vinaigrette. A Lightened-Up Version!
A Simple Skillet Dish with Big ZESTY Flavors – perfect for a weeknight meal, special enough for company.
It’s citrus season – I can not resist the juice of these bright colored blood oranges with their fiery deep crimson color and just tart enough essence.
A creamy stirred irresistible Risotto with the added sweetness of peas; purée adds color, texture and flavor! Coconut is subtle yet adds a complementary sweet-nutty edge. Learn to make the key to making the best risotto!
You will love the Chipotle-Honey Salmon Kebab addition too.
Delectable pasta! I have ROASTED Zucchini instead of fried… and added lots to the final dish! Simple Ingredients ~ Simple Preparation. The secret is really in the quality of those ingredients and the technique used to make the creamy, yet lightened-up sauce. Vegetarian.
Juicy & Tender Chicken Breasts that are simple to prepare with wonderful complimentary flavors. Marinate, Season, top with Apple Slices & Bake. I’m LOVING the 3 ingredient Apple Cider Sauce for drizzling. Can use pears too!
Crispy Sesame Coated Scallops are teamed with Sweet Potato Noodles, a Gingery Dressing and a Bevy of Healthy Vegetables. Glass noodles are naturally gluten free, beautifully slippery and a little chewy. Goshugaru Korean Clilies provide some heat.
Salmon Fillets beautifully cartelizes in a pan for an easy entertaining dish.
The zesty Orange-Chipotle Glaze doubles as a marinade – less work for you!
It’s citrus season and oranges are bursting with juice flavor.
A Vibrant Green Pesto with non-traditional ingredients but with all the bite and bursting with flavor. A brilliant pesto with a little peppery, spicy and nutty taste.
I’m serving with fresh Pappardelle pasta.
A Sweet Ending:
Creamy Decadence – Lightened Up! Forget cream cheese and use blended cottage cheese for the perfect texture & flavor. Dollop apple butter in the center and swirl. My new special holiday dessert that is easy to prepare… gluten free too. You will love these apple butter cottage cheese cheesecakes!
LOVE these individual Crème Brûlées – a lightened-up recipe with creamy deliciousness! What’s Great: They can be made ahead of time; add to them the crackled sugar topping before serving, to insure it is crisp. Don’t skip the strawberry compote!
Crunchy, light and crispy – an Elegant French Cookie that is baked then draped in a stylish, curved shape. Buttery, nutty and delicious!
Gluten Free: They are super quick to make, and once you get the hang of the technique… beautiful French cookies are born in your kitchen. And they look very impressive!
Packed with zesty FLAVOR and a light texture, these miniature cakes are perfect for any celebration. These two inch cakes are gluten and dairy free.
Elegant, but not fussy!
Fun to make and outrageously delicious!
Another make ahead recipe! These delectable, creamy truffles are truly all-natural with Fresh Mint from my garden. Coconut Milk swaps in for heavy cream for a lighter, vegan treat. Cacao nibs adds a little crunch. EASY and fun to make. Irresistible!
A “Blonde Brownie” with a rich caramel- butterscotch like flavor dotted with Guittard dark chocolate chips.
Baked in a pan – you cut them into squares or rectangles. Simple to make and a family favorite of mine! Yes, can use regular flour.
A Creamy and Glossy Zesty Filling sits on top of a Press- In Shortbread Crust. Orange together with Lemon naturally flavors the bars with the happiness and look of sunshine!
These too can be made ahead of time…
I love making and serving Ice Creams year-round!
A creamy delicious ice cream with stirred in wet-walnuts! Flavored with real maple syrup for a natural flavor you will love.
A light and airy maple-walnut vegan ice cream with a hint of fresh banana.
For Brunch:
In between toasted Challah Bread lies Creamy Eggs, Shiitake “Bacon”, Sesame Kale Crisps, Cheddar Cheese and a Gochugaru Sauce. Vegetarian.
Your next favorite Brunch Dish ~
All the elements melt in your mouth surrounded by buttery crispy bread.
Feel free tot week ingredients – can use your favorite hot sauce and real bacon.
What to eat on New Years Day!
Gather the ingredients you will need and pump up the green antioxidants in this one-pan Mediterranean dish.
Healthy and satisfying with mild heat. My favorite Brunch recipe!
THE new breakfast classic – a hearty vegetarian spin on Huevos Rancheros filled with Greek flavors to enjoy anytime of the day! Think Shashuka with a twist.
A light and flavorful frittata that has plenty of vegetables, apples, cheeses & eggs. Creates beautiful Mosaic Layers! Baked until puffy. with a creamy-like texture – a meal in itself!
Hatch Chili Oil (recipe) is delicious drizzled on top of the Shakshuka! A quick infused oil with lingering mild heat. Dried Red & Green Hatch Chiles are infused with a fruity olive oil. Lends a mild kick and an extra boost of Southwestern flavor.
A light and flavorful casserole that is layered with vegetables, cheese, eggs & herbs.
Baked until puffy with a creamy-like texture – a meal in itself! Think: no-crust quiche.
My Favorite Deviled Eggshell will love! Grainy Mustard, Purple Scallions, Thyme and a Crisp and Lacy Baked Cheese Frico Makes Them Pungent and Zesty.
Bursting with Flavor and Color – this Naturally Gluten-Free Quiche makes the perfect hassle-free brunch, lunch or healthy dinner.
It’s Winter Citrus Season – these low acid, sweet Cara Cara navel oranges entice a Caesar-style dressing with zest! A Wonderful – Simple Salad with crunch and a daily dose of garlic.
Little gem lettuce can be hard to source – can use inner leaves of romaine lettuce.
Tender yet crispy waffles enriched with pink applesauce, oats, warm spices and gluten free flour. The perfect brunch, breakfast or snack! Yummy Waffles enriched with homemade applesauce, oats, spices and gluten free flour.
Delicious and loaded with healthy ingredients with tips on how to cook a pumpkin and make homemade Pumpkin Puree. These Pumpkin Pancakes are delicious on their own ~I love topping with Yogurt, Granola, Caramelized Apple Slices and drizzle with Pure Maple Syrup.
Bakery quality scones! Barely sweet and irresistible – made from your pantry ingredients… with a secret ingredient: coconut milk. Who can resist a warm, tender and flaky scone chocked full of fruits and nuts?
Also see ALL: Great Recipes for New Year’s Day Brunch
Holiday Recipes: Holiday Hors D’Oeuvres, Pick-Up Appetizers & Nibbles Updated
2024 Holiday Cookies and Desserts that are Crave Worthy!
Enjoy my FAVORITE New Year’s Recipes! Have a delicious and Happy New Year!
Karen
5 Herb Greek Zucchini Fritters
Equipment
- 1 large skillet cast iron or stick proof
- 1 colander
- 1 mini muffin tin if making baked version
Ingredients
- 3 large zucchini – 1 1/2 pounds , I use 2 zucchinis and one yellow summer squash
- 2 large eggs, I use pasture raised
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon rind, minced (Try Buddha's hand citrus too!)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh oregano, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh mint, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup scallions, chopped
- 1/2 cups flour, (can use gluten free flour blend)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs*, (I use sourdough; can use gluten free bread)
- 2/3 cup feta cheese, chopped 1/4 inch; 3.5 ounces
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, (approximately what you will use for frying; LESS when baking.)
Instructions
Zucchini Fritter Mixture
- Grate zucchini using the large hole on a box grater. Add to a colander in the sink. Add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and mix in well. Let stand for 15 minutes – will release its water. Add to paper towels, wring dry. Then add to a clean kitchen towel and wring dry – as dry as possible! Set aside.
- In a large bowl add 2 eggs and whisk. Add zucchini, lemon rind, 5 minced herbs, pepper, scallions. baking powder, flour and fresh breadcrumbs. Mix well with a rubber spatula. Fold in the feta cheese.
Lightly Frying the Fritters
- Add 1/4 cup olive oil to a stick proof skillet (can use cast iron too.) Warm to a moderate heat. Drop spoonfulls of the mixture, about 2 tablespoons (I use a classic ice cream scoop) into the pan. Cook, flipping when golden on the first side. Continue to cook until cooked through and golden on both sides.
- For Baking the Fritters in Mini Muffin Cups: (I use stick proof) See below in Notes
- Freezing: These freeze well. Cool, add to wax paper lined storage container and freeze. Add to a sheet pan and reheat at 350 until warmed through and crisp.
Notes
MAKES 24 – 36 Depends on size you fill.
Brush the insides of each metal muffin cup with Olive Oil – using about 1/8 teaspoon in each cavity.
Scoop the mixture using a 1 1/2 inch cookie scoop (which is about 1 tablespoon.)
Add to each cavity. Brush liberally with some more olive oil on top of each.
Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 14 minutes, or until cooked through and golden underneath. Serve immediately, or reheat at 35o degrees until just warmed through.
These freeze well too. This recipe may not be reproduced without the consent of its author, Karen Sheer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Great new year’s recipes. Going to definitely make the Greek fritters and bake them.
Thanks Patty! Think you will live the Greek Fritter recipe.
😀Karen
Wow, great ideas for new years. So many I would like to try. Going to start with the Greek fritters. Great photos too.
Hi Victor – Thank you for the compliment! Enjoy the Greek fritters, pan-fried or baked.
😀Karen