Yemi’s Food Stories: Cheers to a yummy new year

Last updated Dec 29, 2023

Yemi's beetroot hummus and carrot tarts.

Christmas festivities are over, with many still getting creative with their leftovers, but our attention is now on ringing in the new year with loved ones.

As we say goodbye to another year, what better way to welcome 2024 than with a celebration that comes with lovely food and drink setting the stage for a year of delicious adventures?

Your new year celebrations can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like. Some people opt for a second Christmas-style evening, while others keep it simple with drinks and nibbles – either way, just do what works for you.

Appetisers

A simple crowd pleaser is always some variation of crisps and dip. I’d recommend a vibrant beetroot hummus paired with tortilla chips. Of course, you can buy these but they’re super easy to make too. Just cut a tortilla into small squares or triangles and warm in the oven until crunchy.

Cucumber discs topped with pâté and cranberry sauce also goes down a treat and take just minutes to prepare.

Caprese skewers are a great option too. Simply thread cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls and basil leaves onto small skewers. Top with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of black pepper and you’re done!

Bao buns are also great when hosting and look impressive. You can buy the buns pre-made at most supermarkets and then get creative with the filling. My favourite is a chicken bao bun topped with saffron mayo and pickled carrots (pictured below). They’re light and fluffy, but taste amazing.

Yemi’s chicken bao buns.

To make your own tartlets using bought tortilla wraps, short crust, puff or sweet pastries, simply cut to shapes, tuck into mini cupcake trays and bake until golden.

Fill with sweet and savoury ingredients like brie and raspberry compote, beetroot hummus topped with roasted and diced carrots, or smoked salmon, diced cucumber and dill infused cream cheese.

Elevating your cheeseboard

If you’re stuck on which cheeses to include in your cheeseboard, fear not. It can be daunting to know which ones to buy – especially without knowing what your guests might like – but I’ve whittled it down to a few variations that will cover all bases.

Generally, I’d include a blue cheese – like a Swaledale blue or stilton – two soft cheeses, such as brie, camembert or burrata, manchego for the hard cheese, and a semi-hard cheese such as emmental or a classic cheddar.

You can elevate the platter by pairing artisan cheeses with exotic preserves.

A ripe tamarillo conserve is sour, but the undertones of berries and passion fruit make it a great accompaniment for a blue.

Balinese tangerine marmalade goes perfectly with brie. It has a distinct but soft citrus flavour.

You could also try adding a touch of spice, like black cardamom, to your leftover Christmas preserve to create a unique flavour.

Include a selection of good quality charcuterie and crackers for a savoury contrast to the sweet notes of the preserves.

The main course

For the main course, consider a show-stopping dish that captures the essence of celebration.

A perfectly roasted prime rib served with truffle butter glaze is an indulgent and timeless choice.

Alternatively, a side of salmon finished with a lemon brown butter sauce, lobster tails, succulent prawns and buttery scallops bathed in a citrus-infused beurre blanc will undoubtedly wow your guests.

Drinks

No New Year’s Eve feast is complete without a touch of bubbly.

Create a DIY drinks bar and invite guests to customise their own drinks with an array of fresh fruits, aromatic herbs, and flavoured syrups.

Encourage experimentation, and let the clinking of glasses echo the excitement of conversations and new friendships.

A simple but certainly effective touch.

Dessert

Put on a dessert spread that leaves a lasting impression.

Create a charcuterie board featuring miniature pastries, artisan chocolates, citrus curds, crushed meringues and fruit coulis for dipping. It’s quick and easy to do, yet looks impressive and offers a little bit of everything to your guests.

I also love to make Nigerian puff puffs. They’re soft, spongy and fluffy, but the beauty of them is that they can be made sweet or savoury. I like to serve them as a dessert, but they’re also often eaten as a side dish or snack with a savoury sauce.

There’s plenty of recipes online and they’re very easy to make.

Yemi’s Nigerian puff puffs.

Some extra hosting tips

Personalisation is always appreciated – and it doesn’t have to take hours to pull together.

Add little touches like custom table cards or signature cocktails named after your guests or the year ahead.

Why not get your guests to paint a picture of something they are excited about in 2024? It’s a lovely way to appreciate what’s coming and share excitement with friends and family.

Later in the night, activities like karaoke or a tasting game are bound to keep the energy high and the laughter flowing.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy yourself – it’s your celebration too. Cheers to a happy and yummy new year!