Easy Entertaining Recipes for New Year's Eve

New Year’s Entertaining with Chef Carol Ritchie

As a host you want something that’s easy to make and as a guest you want something that’s easy to eat…..

This shrimp and avocado salad is a great example.  Haas avocados from are prized by chefs with a rich flavor and a smooth buttery texture.  Avocados are also great for you – they’re packed with nutrients and heart-healthy fats.   Compared to other fruit, avocados rank the highest for magnesium, vitamin E and folic acid.  Just leave your avocados at room temperature for a day or two and they’ll ripen up to make this dish. 

Shrimp And Avocado Salad

 

 

2 fully ripened avocados from , halved and pitted 
1 cup peeled, cooked small shrimp (about 6 ounces), halved
3/4 cup diced mango or pineapple
2 tablespoons diced red onion
1/2 to 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Scoop avocado pulp from shells with a spoon; dice avocado; reserve shells. In medium-sized bowl, combine the shrimp with mango, red onion, adobo seasoning and lime juice. Gently stir in avocado.  Spoon mixture into shells, dividing evenly; garnish with shrimp, if desired.

YIELD: 4 portions
Per portion: 234 calories, 12 gm carbohydrate, 14 gm protein, 16 gm fat

Stocking the bar can sometimes present a challenge when keeping an eye on the budget…

Two Oceans wines from are a great option.  Their Sauvignon Blanc is light and approachable, it really works well with food.  And the Shiraz , with soft tannins and intense ripe berry flavors, is a crowd pleaser.” It runs $7.99 a bottle, so you can afford to offer a wide variety to your guests, they also have a Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.  

Finger foods are always a great choice….  

The Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies are made with the highest quality cuts of pork, turkey, and beef.  They make delicious appetizers that are easy to make and are easy on the wallet. The links are fully-cooked which make them quick and easy to prepare. They are very versatile, from Pigs in a Blanket to a yummy Triple Cheese Dip.  Lit’l Smokies are full of protein and come in a variety of flavors. Price: $3.99-$6.99

Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies Pigs in a Blanket
Hillshire Farm Lit'l Smokies Cocktail Links                           24 links
Refrigerated crescent dinner rolls                    1 (8. oz.) can

Method:   Preheat oven to 375ºF.  

Separate crescent rolls and cut each crescent roll into thirds lengthwise.  

Place one Lit’l Smokies link on short side of each triangle and, starting at the short side, roll it up.

 

 

 

Place on ungreased cookie sheet. 

 Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. 

 Serving size:  Makes 24 servings – serve with mustard or cranberry sauce for a sweeter taste

Wraps are a great party food because they are easy to eat….  

 

 

 

Mission Carnitas Pinwheels are made with guacamole and pork pot roast wrapped up in mission flavored wraps.   The wraps are made with zesty herbs and delicious seasonings.  You can do a lot of different things with these wraps -- they come in several varieties, like Jalapeno Cheddar, Zesty Garlic Herb, Sundried Tomato Basil, Garden Spinach Herb and Multigrain. With a full ten-inch diameter, there’s plenty of room to wrap up all the ingredients in this snack.  You can use them all or just a few; they come in a re-sealable zipper packaging that keeps wraps fresh! 

Mission Carnitas Pinwheels
Serves: 6

PrepTime (min): 5
CookTime (min): 3

Type: Appetizer and Party Food
Prep Tool: Work Surface, Microwave

Helpful Info: Kid Friendly, Easy, Entertaining

Recipe Ingredients:

3 Mission® 10-inch Mission Flavored Wraps  
1 tablespoon guacamole
1 1lb, 1oz. package Pre-cooked Pork Pot Roast 
¼ cup Orange Juice no pulp
1 teaspoon Mild Chili Powder
¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt 

Recipe Instructions:

1.  While still cold finely shred pre-cooked pot roast and combine with orange juice, chili powder and salt in a microwavable safe bowl or container.  Microwave on high for 2-2 ½ minutes.  (cooking time may vary due to variances in wattage)

2.  Heat Mission® Wrap for 15 seconds in the microwave on high.

3.  Lay warmed wraps on your work surface, spread guacamole or Mission® Guacamole Dip on the top half of the wrap.  Evenly spread warm pork from edge to edge covering the entire tortilla without the guacamole.  Beginning with the pork half closest to you, roll forward making a cylinder.

4.  Slice cylinder in to 10 1 inch portions.  Place on a serving platter and enjoy.

 Hints: 

 1. It is important to evenly spread the pork from side to side so to create the most portions possible.

 2.  Pre-cooked beef pot roast could be substituted for pork.

 Finish the night with a nice hot coffee…. 

 Treat yourself and your guests to the divine combination of fine chocolate and superior coffee.  Senseo and Godiva Chocolatier partnered to introduce two indulgent new flavors of coffee – Crème Brûlée and Chocolate Crème.  The coffee pods allow you to enjoy premium, coffee-shop quality flavored coffee in under a minute, without the mess and hassle of handling coffee grounds.  You can even experiment with different gourmet ingredients to become your own barista.  Price: Senseo Coffee System $99.99-$139.99

Coffee Recipes:

Ingredients needed:

Godiva Chocolate Crème Senseo coffee 
Godiva Crème Brulee  Senseo coffee 
Whipped Cream (from a can) 
Saigon Cinnamon 
Coconut Milk 
Godiva Chocoiste Solid Dark Chocolate bar (for shavings) 
Godiva Coconut truffles, Godiva Biscuits: 6 varieties of Godiva biscuits, Godiva dark chocolate almonds (all for display, if possible)

-- Dark Chocolate

When paired correctly, chocolate and coffee enhance the flavors of one another.  Dark chocolate provides the perfect complement to the delicious flavor of the Godiva Chocolate Crème coffee.

How to: Top your cup of Godiva Chocolate Crème coffee with whipped cream and shavings from Godiva Chocoiste Solid Dark Chocolate bar.
Pair with: Godiva dark chocolate almonds 

-- Saigon Cinnamon  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ignite the senses with a combination Godiva Crème Brûlée coffee and Saigon cinnamon.

How to: Top your Godiva Crème Brûlée coffee with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon
Pair with: Godiva Biscuits: 6 varieties of Godiva biscuits
Coconut -- The exotic punch! The fabulous flavor of coconut along with Godiva Chocolate Créme coffee is the perfect match. 

How to: Replace your regular milk or cream addition with silky coconut milk 
Pair with: Godiva Coconut truffles

 

 

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