Photo credit: Rachael Ray Show
Aired December 19, 2014
Goodbye 2014, hello 2015! If you're throwing a big New Year's bash, you'll want to include these 15 appetizer and cocktail recipes to make for one awesome party. From nibbly bits, to meaty appetizers and bubbly cocktails we give you our favorite, easy to make, tasy party bites.
Rachael Ray Show
If you're looking for a full flavor, healthier option for chicken wings, then look no further. These Pesto Wings are baked in the oven until golden brown. We slather them with fresh basil, pasrley, walnuts, zesty lemon juice and olive oil. Toss the wings in the pesto sauce and serve with sliced lemons. Be sure to give your guests extra napkins because they won't be able to put these delicious wings down!
2.) Beef Meatballs with Blue Cheese and Horseradish
Rachael Ray Show
We love these savory beef meatballs dipped in creamy blue cheese and spicy horseradish sauce. This meatball recipe uses ground sirloin and plenty of spices like garlic, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, grated shallots and panko breadcrumbs. The explosion of flavorful meatballs and sharp blue cheese makes this recipe the star of your menu.
3.) Cordon Blue Pigs in a Blanket
Rachael Ray Show
Your guests will scarf up these mini hot dogs instantly. Wrapped with savory ham and cheese we top the goodness with sea salt. Then, prepare yourselves. After baking, we dunk the pigs in the blanket with a creamy, cheesy spicy mustard gruyere sauce. These bite sized apps will fly off your party trays. You better make a double batch!
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The boring, supermarket cocktail ring is getting a makeover. Say hello, to lemon shrimp! Tangy, lemon zest and sherry vinegar are added to buttery olives and fresh onions to create a powerful marinade for your cooked shrimp. Scoop the mixture into large bowl for your friends and family to share.
Rachael Ray Show
Sure, you could serve a regular ol' plate of cheese to your party guests -- but why not go the extra mile by making this incredibly delicious -- not to mention time-saving -- cheese boat? Your guests will eat it up in the amount of time it took you to make it (hint: mere minutes), then spend the rest of the party asking how they can make it themselves.
Rachael Ray Show
This nibbly-bit is the perfect addition to your appetizer menu. Crispy, maple bacon is tossed throughout buttery, salted popcorn. The combination of sweet and salty bursts with flavor.
Rachael Ray Show
Slightly sweet, salty and very savory, the Honey-Dijon Cheese Ball is super easy to make! It combines the rich, smooth texture of honey cream cheese with crispy, crunchy pretzels. This simple dish is the perfect appetizer to serve to your guests during the holidays.
Rachael Ray Show
Fruity and delicious, this is an excellent signature cocktail at your New Year's Eve party.
9.) Buffalo Chicken in a Pocket
Rachael Ray Show
Spicy, diced chicken is smothered in cream cheese, hot sauce, chopped onion, carrots celery and creamy blue cheese. Take the mixture and stuff it into hot dough. Top with a few extra spices and bake in the oven until golden brown.
10.) Martina McBride's Goat Cheese and Honey Crostini
Rachael Ray Show
Crunchy, sliced bread is topped with creamy goat cheese. rosemary, thyme, walnuts and drizzled with honey for a sweet kick. This is a simple, yet delicious appetizer for any party.
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The classic guacamole gets an extra kick with pickled hot peppers for an extra tang. If you're making a ton of guacamole, use this helpful tip from Rachael Ray. Take a wire rack and place over your bowl. Slice your avocado and then press down over the wire rack and into the bowl. You'll have mashed, creamy avocado in no time!
12.) Lettuce Tacos with Sesame-Cumin Beef
Rachael Ray Show
Impress your guests with this healthy taco twist. Zesty, sesame-cumin beef is seasoned, marinated and grilled to perfection. Instead of using mini-corn tortillas, swap out for little Bibb lettuce leaves and stuff with freshly grilled onions, chile peppers and edamame.
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We're headed South of the Border with these spicy tots! Crispy fried tots are tossed in chili powder, cumin, chipotle pwoder, cayenne, salt and pepper. Top them with pulled pork and dollup with nacho cheese.
Rachael Ray Show
Gin, simply syrup, soda water and grapefruity juice are shaken and poured over ice. The secret that makes this cocktail really pop is rimming each glass with pink sea salt for an extra kick.
15.) Beer Battered Italian Asparagus with Dip
Rachael Ray Show
Freshly cut asapragus is beer battered and fried until crispy golden brown. Serve with a a creamy mayo dip mixed with lemon juice, onion pulp, italian seasoning and kosher salt. Unbelievably delish!