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By the last week of the year, that festive feeling has well and truly permeated the air. The world is in celebration mode, just counting down to a fresh start. But as with all festivities, hosting a New Year’s Eve bash also means thinking up the right menu for the occasion. Luckily with some ingenuity, you can create some 3-ingredient masterpieces that will dazzle without taking up too much of your time or effort on the big day.
1. Bacon Wrapped Dates
Dates are already being hailed as the next big superfood of 2023, so why not try them in an exciting new avatar.
Ingredients:
- 12 pitted dates
- 6 strips of bacon
- Brown sugar
Method:
- Cut the strips of bacon in half and wrap each half around a date. Secure with a toothpick through the centre.
- Place on a lined tray in a preheated oven, sprinkle with a layer of sugar at 180 C for 20 minutes, flip them and bake for another 15 until the bacon is crisp.
2. Hasselback Tomato Caprese
Move over Hasselback potato, there’s a new trend in town. The magic of a delicious caprese salad or a fresh bruschetta but in a single bite.
Ingredients:
- 4 Roma tomatoes
- 500 gms fresh mozzarella
- 10 large basil leaves, torn in half
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Method:
- Slice the tomatoes almost to the base (but not all the way) and repeat all the way down the length.
- Slice the mozzarella into thin slices and slide them into alternate cuts on the tomato.
- In the remaining gaps, place a few shreds of basil.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic and serve immediately.
3. Mozzarella Sticks
The consummate snack food, there’s virtually nobody who can resist these cheesy treats, and this method is half the effort of the classic.
Ingredients:
- 500 gms hard cheese (like cheddar)
- 1 pack spring roll wrappers
- Oil for deep frying
Method:
- Slice the cheese into sticks and place one at the corner of a spring roll wrapper.
- Roll tightly and tuck in the ends before the last fold. Seal with water.
- Fry the spring rolls in 2-3 inches of hot oil until evenly browned and crispy.
- Serve hot with a dip of choice.
4. Honey Almond Baked Brie
There’s nothing quite as decadent as a baked brie to celebrate a special evening. And the best part is, it’s so simple to achieve.
Ingredients:
- 1 wheel brie
- Handful of almonds
- ¼ cup honey
Method:
- In a preheated oven bake the brie at 180 C for 15-20 minutes.
- Meanwhile chop and dry roast your almonds until lightly browned.
- Take the brie out, pile the almonds on top and drizzle with honey.
- Serve with your choice of breads or dipping veggies.
5. Feta And Caramelised Onion Turnovers
This is a little bit more time-consuming but still a beginner-level activity. To save time you could even replace the caramelised onions with a store-bought onion jam.
Ingredients:
- 250 gms feta
- 5-6 large onions
- 1 pack puff pastry squares
Method:
- Start by chopping all your onions lengthwise and placing them in a large skillet with a drizzle of oil and some salt.
- Let them cook at a very low heat for 40-50 minutes until they’re jammy and deep brown.
- Crumble the feta and stir together with the onions into a paste.
- Place a spoon into the centre of each puff pastry square, fold into a triangle and bake for 20 minutes at 180 C until crisp and golden.
