Ring in the New Year- The easy way!!

I am doing Good Morning Weekend on WTNH, Channel 8 this Sunday, 12/30 at 7:50 a.m. The segment is all about how to throw together a last minute New Year's Eve party. I wanted to share my segment recipes and tips with you.

I have a favor to ask those of you who read this blog. I have an Ask Nicole! button on my website-www.timetoeat.info and not many people have emailed to ask me any cooking questions. If you could ask me a question via the button or ask a friend to do so, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Here are 8 super easy, beautiful and delicious ideas to host a fantastic New Year's (or anytime) bash with friends!

1-White bean bruschetta:
1 can drained white cannelini beans
1/2 C. petite diced tomatoes with Italian Herbs
1 tbs. olive oil
1 cube frozen garlic
1 cube frozen parsley
1 cube frozen basil
pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper
lemon zest for garnish

Pita crackers or multi-colored vegetable crisps

Directions:

Mash olive oil, salt, pepper and frozen herbs together with the back of a fork. Mix in tomatoes and beans and stir to combine. Zest a lemon over the mixture and serve in a bowl with pita crackers, bread or vegetable crisps.

Other foods for your last minute New Year's Eve bash:

2-Hummus- Serve in a beautiful bowl, drizzle the top with a little olive oil, a pinch of herbed salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

3-Green olives

4-Marconi almonds with rosemary and olive oil- available at Trader Joe's

5-Jalapeno chicken sausage skewers with mango chutney dipping sauce- available at Trader Joe's.
Slice sausage into 2" thick slices and brown in a pan for 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Brush sausage with chutney before skewering and serve with chutney in a small bowl for dipping.

6-Tiny Mozzarella salad with tomatoes and basil:
8 oz. container of Ciliegine- tiny fresh mozzarella balls
2-3 tbs. olive oil
1/2 C. petite diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
2 cubes frozen basil
2 cubs frozen garlic
pinch of kosher salt, pepper and red pepper flakes

Mash olive oil, salt, pepper, basil, and garlic cubes together with the back of a fork in a bowl. Add in tomatoes, red pepper flakes and drained mozzarella balls. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve with fresh sliced bread.

7-Seafood salad in endive leaves.
Buy prepared seafood salad-( Fjord Fisheries has an amazing Marlin spread) and spoon into endive cups. Serve on a plate.

8-Gravlax on black bread with boursin and capers.
Buy prepared Gravlax (TJ's has it) some thinly sliced pumpernickel bread, or thinly sliced white bread. Spread a small amount of Boursin on bread, slice into 1/4's and add a small rose of gravlax to the top of each bread. Garnish with a caper and serve.