New Year's Eve is a time to pull out all stops-send out printed invitations in advance. Ask your guests to RSVP and to dress to the nines. Since we don't want our friends to be out driving when the "crazies" (often inebriated) drivers are out as the clock ticks closer to midnight, we set the party for early in the evening, alerting our guests that the fare will be substantial so they don't have to worry about dinner. That way, everyone can be safely tucked in front of their big screen as the ball descends in Times Square or, if they wish to celebrate past midnight, join a later party elsewhere. We always include any unattached people that we know on our guest list-a party like this gives them somewhere special to be for the evening, and more than once, we've been unintentional match-makers.
This is a varied menu that's not difficult to prepare. It's sure to satisfy everyone's taste and appetite, yet can be worked into a diabetes meal plan. No passing trays of tiny canapés for me-that's too work intensive. I'd rather set a lavish buffet table and hire a teenage helper to keep the buffet replenished as needed. Hire a second helper to buss the used glasses and plates, keeping the dishwasher loaded and running so the clean-up afterwards is minimum.
At times like this, a degree of formality can be fun and makes your guests feel special so set the buffet with your best linens, polish the silver, and make sure the crystal shines, and fill the room with fresh flowers and the soft glow of candles. Lacking a dowry of china, silver, and crystal? You can always mix patterns-just keep to the same color scheme and degree of formality.
For this New Year's Eve party, guests were invited for 6:30 p.m. As they arrived, they were handed a flute of champagne or sparking water with a slice of lemon and directed to the buffet table where they found gleaming china plates to fill as they pleased. As they left the table, a tray of napkin-wrapped silver forks and knives tied with tiny wired-ribbon bows provided their napkin and the only cutlery needed for the party. The table in the kitchen nook was set with a huge glass bowl of fresh strawberries, and cups for coffee and tea were set out at 8:30 p.m. so everyone could have a cup or two with a few strawberries before they departed.
For music, make a tape of the year's top hits to play softly as background only so conversation is possible. We like to combine jazz with pop and country so that everyone's musical tastes are covered. Leave the dancing until later when you and your significant other are relaxing together after another successful party, the clock strikes midnight, and 2001 begins.
How much do you make? You'll probably have left-overs, but plan on 2 to 3 pieces per recipe for each person. Anyone with diabetes will need to count their carbs, and realize that the purpose of the party is to spend a couple of hours in the company of friends, not to indulge in more food than they really need. Don't be too quick to refill the flutes of champagne, and then, only fill them half full-that's about 4 ounces (60 ml). If you have diabetes, be sure to get permission from your physician before you drink any alcohol, and know how to work it into your meal plan.
(for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above)
