The year is almost over, and this year has presented certain challenges to those of us at Patty Cake’s Pantry, but in spite of these hardships, we decided to ring in the new year with an intimate party for our closest friends and family.   I love to serve food that people can graze on throughout the evening, or that they can grab and snack on while they mingle.   This prevents a bottleneck at the buffet.  This year, we decided to keep things simple.  Our New Years’ Eve Party Menu included the following dishes.

 Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip 

This is one of Baker’s Man’s favorites, and I love that I can put all of the ingredients into my slow cooker and focus on other recipes while this dip takes care of itself.

 Stuffed Mushrooms

I like these because they can be filled ahead of time and popped into the oven just before your guests arrive.  These are always a crowd pleaser and because they are made from only 3 ingredients makes them a winner.

Crab Salad

This is something simple and delicious that can also be made ahead of time and placed on your buffet just before your guests arrive.  Served alongside some buttery crackers, this is a perfect snack.

Deli Kabobs

These are a tradition in my family, and though they are time consuming to assemble, we think they are well worth the effort.  I usually make these with help from my children.  It’s a good family bonding activity, and as they say, “Many hands make light work.”

Faux Homemade Salsa and Chips

This is a simple recipe that gives the illusion of a homemade salsa without all of the work.  This is one of my favorite ways to “make” homemade salsa even though it’s not really homemade.

All of this was accompanied by a crudite as well as some potato chips and dip.   There were beverages, too, but that’s a discussion for another day (or post).  Our New Year’s Eve Menu was simple and delicious.  Good food and good friends is the perfect way to ring in the new year.  We hope you enjoy your New Year’s Eve.

Thanks for visiting Patty Cake’s Pantry.