End the Year with one of the Best New Year’s Eve Meals

As we collectively navigate towards saying goodbye to 2021, and how it likely did not pan out how we each individually planned, chances are high that you want to go into 2022 on a good note. Well, some people believe what one eats on New Year’s Eve has the potential to bring them great luck in the year ahead. If you want to get in on the action, here is a meal idea list to bring on the classics or try something new!

Recipe 1: Best Chicken and Arugula Cacio e Pepe Recipe

Regardless of whether you bite into them or slurp them, consuming long noodles is said to give one a long life. The melted cheese, chicken and arugula combine to make the ultimate comfort food-influenced dish. All one needs to make this is bucatini or spaghetti, butter, parmesan, baby arugula and warm rotisserie chicken. Serve with extra cheese and black pepper, plus buttery garlic bread, for a hearty dish.

Recipe 2: Maple Glazed Salmon

Simple, healthy and tasty are three adjectives that sum up this recipe well. As fish swim forward, they represent progress, so eating salmon means that your New Year might be full of you reaching your goals. Dijon mustard, soy sauce, maple syrup and garlic make up the marinade. Whisk together the glaze, bake the salmon and brush on the second half of the marinade halfway through cooking or when it is fresh from the oven. Brown rice and green beans can make this meal complete.

Recipe 3: Hoppin’ John

This classic Southern dish features black-eyed peas, said to bring good luck in the New Year. Bacon or ham hock, celery, onion, pepper, garlic, peas, bay leaf, thyme, seasoning give this meal a subtle smoky flavor. Collard greens and rice are the traditional accompaniments, but you can spice things up with cornbread, fried chicken and the like.

Recipe 4: Southern Collard Greens Recipe

The staple green veggie of the South, collard greens are prominently featured in many recipes. In Germany and Ireland, greens symbolize luck, so get lucky when you make this! Ham hock, bacon, sugar, onion, spices and Worchester sauce are cooked in a pot licker and steamed for optimal flavor. Grab some yams and corn muffins and get eating!

Recipe 5: Pomegranate Skillet Chicken

The Greeks think pomegranates symbolize fertility, so perhaps this can be served to those who hope to welcome a new addition in 2022. This tangy and sweet chicken uses olive oil, chicken thighs, honey, parsley, vinegar, lemon, garlic, salt, pepper and pomegranate seeds, molasses and juice for a unique flavor profile. The recipe turns out the best in a cast iron skillet. Enjoy!

Recipe 6: Ring of Coconut Fudge Cake

The circle of life is represented in this cake, which features a rich and fudgy interior, a smooth chocolaty exterior and a cream cheese filling. Make sure to cool the cake completely before adding the glaze. For some extra flavor, add espresso powder or nuts. With a filling that is not too dense, chances are you will be eating more than one slice. And, if you want to make this your meal, who are we to judge?

Recipe 7: Cornbread Muffins

In an old Southern saying, cornbread represents gold. Honey, butter, flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda and salt come together to make bites of deliciousness that are made even tastier with honey butter, jalapeño peppers or a light dusting of sugar on top. They bring any entrée to the next level, and keep well in a covered container for many breakfasts afterward.

Recipe 8: Creamy Grape Salad

In Spain, people traditionally eat 12 grapes just before midnight to bring them a sense of luck and focus in the year ahead. You should be able to do the same, and this Grape Salad is the refreshing and sweet treat you will want to be reaching for before the clock strikes 12. Grapes, sour cream, cinnamon, cream cheese and vanilla form the base. Brown sugar and pecans makes a crunchy topping to add contrast. Toss and serve. Note that this idea is best when served fresh, so try to eat as much as possible as soon as it is assembled.

Recipe 9: Roasted Pork Loin

Olive oil, white wine, rosemary, salt, pepper and garlic make boneless pork loin a classic. As pigs move forward, so might you! Add some diced onion and red pepper for more flavor, and consider serving it with mashed potatoes and dinner rolls. Reviewers said this idea turned even pork loin haters into pork loin lovers, so it is a hit with many.

Recipe 10: Honey Poached Oranges

Citrus is given as a sign of prosperity in China. These oranges are cooked in honey, plus vanilla bean, star anise and orange juice, making them delightful on their own or when served over a favorite variety of vanilla ice cream. It is just the thing to cap off whatever wonderful meal you may be having.

Recipe 11: Best Salmon Burgers with Cabbage-Apple Slaw

This recipe features both salmon and cabbage, so eaters will get double the luck. Green onions, apples, curry powder and apple cider vinegar meet green cabbage in a crunchy, flavorful and healthier take on the burger. Serve with baked fries on brioche buns with plenty of mayo or vegan mayo-like spread. Dig in!

Recipe 12: Lentil Bolognese

Italians like to think of lentils as resembling coins. This recipe is perfect for those who like lighter takes on fan-favorite dishes. Carrots, mushrooms, oregano, red pepper, olive oil, tomato paste and sauce and pine nuts come together to top spaghetti with a mountain of flavors. A little ground beef can be added, if desired, as well. A hearty green salad is just the right side dish to this standout meal. Yum!

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