Last Updated on June 9, 2024 by Daniele Lima
Indulging in the Most Famous New Year’s Eve Recipes
At the New Year’s table: discover five traditional and famous New Year’s recipes As the end of the year approaches, the time has come to prepare to welcome the new year with a party full of flavors and traditions.
New Year’s Eve, full of symbolism and new expectations, is a time when tables are full of delicacies that, in addition to flavor, reflect the culture and history of each region.
In this article we embark on a unique gastronomic journey, exploring five traditional and famous New Year’s dinner recipes. From foods that create well-being to desserts that sweeten hopes for the future, each recipe is an ode to festive food that brings family and friends together around the table, creating memories that last until after midnight.
We reveal the culinary secrets that will transform New Year’s dinner into a true feast of flavors and traditions. Get ready to surprise your guests and come for a half-night!
Table of Contents
1 – Bacalhau à Brás: A tradition that comes from the sea
We begin our culinary journey with a classic that spans generations: Bacalhau à Brás. This traditional Portuguese dish brings with it the promise of prosperity and good luck. If the main ingredient is cod, the harmony of flavors is revealed in the recipe, where minced fish finds the ideal companion with straw potatoes and egg.
The crunchy texture and unmistakable flavor make Bacalhau à Brás a choice that transcends borders and connects us to the vast ocean of possibilities that the new year offers.
Ientering:
- 500g desalted and shredded cod
- 4 medium potatoes, cut into thin sticks (as for French fries)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Cod Preparation:
- Start by desalting the cod, if necessary. To desalt, place the cod in a bowl with water, and keep it in the refrigerator for 24 hours, changing the water several times.
- Cook the shredded cod in boiling water for about 5 minutes. Drain and reserve.
Preparation of the Potatoes:
- Fry the potato sticks in hot oil until golden and crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
Preparation of Bacalhau à Brás:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until transparent. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for a few more minutes.
- Add the shredded cod to the pan, stir well, and let it cook for a few minutes.
- Add the fried potatoes to the cod in the pan, mixing gently so that all the ingredients are incorporated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue cooking for a few more minutes.
Finishing:
- Crack the eggs directly over the cod mixture in the pan. Stir gently to mix the eggs with the other ingredients.
- Cook until the eggs are fully cooked but still creamy.
Serve:
- Remove from heat and serve immediately, sprinkling with chopped fresh parsley on top.
Tip:
You can add black or green olives to the mixture during cooking for an extra kick of flavor. Serve with a green salad or fresh bread for a meal
2 – Hoppin’ John: Luck and Flavor in the Southern United States
Directly from the southern United States, we present Hoppinand#039; João, a dish that combines tradition and superstition. Composed of rice, black peas, and bacon, this dish is celebrated in the new year as a symbol of happiness and prosperity. Each ingredient is believed to represent different aspects of happiness, so this recipe is a delicious and meaningful addition to the New Year’s table.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of white rice
- 2 cups of water
- 2 cans (or about 4 cups) of black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 pound (approximately 225 g) bacon or ham, cut into small pieces
- Chopped green onion for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pan, fry the bacon or ham until golden and crispy. Skim off excess fat, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan.
- Add the onion, pepper, celery, and garlic to the pan and sauté until the vegetables are soft.
- Add the drained black-eyed peas, rice, chicken broth, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the peas are tender.
- Remove bay leaf and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions.
3 – Cotechino and Lentils: Italian bem-estar
Taking advantage of Brazilian traditions, we crossed the Atlantic to explore the richness of Italian flavors with Cotechino and lentils. This combination of pork sausage and lentils is an Italian classic that symbolizes wealth and good luck. According to tradition, eating lentils on New Year’s Eve attracts wealth and fortune, while the strong flavor of Cotechino completes the experience, making it real to the senses.
Ingredients:
Para or Cotechino:
- 1 cotechino (approximately 500g)
- Enough water to cover the cotechino
Para as Lentils:
- 1 cup dry lentils
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and cut into small cubes
- 2 celery stalks, cut into small cubes
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can of peeled tomatoes (400g), chopped
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bay leaves to taste
Instructions:
Para or Cotechino:
- Place the cotechino in a large pot and cover with water.
- Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer cotechino for about 2 hours, or according to package instructions.
- Make sure the cotechino is completely cooked before removing it from the pan.
Para as Lentils:
- While the cotechino is cooking, prepare the lentils.
- In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.
- Add the chopped peeled tomatoes to the pan, stir, and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add the lentils to the vegetable mixture and stir well.
- Pour chicken or vegetable broth into the pan. Add bay leaves, salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for about 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
Assembly:
- Remove the thecotechino from the pan and cut into slices.
- Serve the cotechino slices over a serving of lentils.
Serve Cotechino and Lenticchie hot, accompanied by breadcrusty. This dish is delicious and a traditional way to celebrate New Year in Italy. Buon appetito!
4 – Rabanada: The Sweet Taste of Celebration
We ended our feast with a sweet and comforting dessert: Rabanada. Originating from Portuguese tradition, this delicacy made from bread, milk, and eggs has won over palates around the world. With a touch of cinnamon and sugar, Rabanada is a sweet that evokes affectionate memories, providing a perfect end to New Year’s Eve dinner. As we savor each morsel, we are reminded that, like cuisine, life is a mix of tradition and reinvention. But today you will have a healthier version of this gem!
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of wholemeal bread
- 2 cups skim milk (or plant-based milk, such as almond milk)
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- Coconut oil to grease the pan (or baking paper)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the milk, eggs, vanilla essence, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Beat the mixture well.
- Cut the slices of wholemeal bread diagonally, forming triangles.
- Dip each triangle of bread into the milk and egg mixture, making sure the bread absorbs the mixture well.
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and grill the bread slices on both sides until they are golden. Use coconut oil to grease the pan or use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Transfer the slices of bread to a baking tray and place them in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, turning halfway through, to ensure they are evenly browned and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the healthy French toast with an extra touch of cinnamon on top, if desired.
This version is a healthier option, as it uses whole-grain bread and is baked instead of fried. You can also try using coconut sugar or honey as a topping instead of refined sugar. Enjoy your healthy French toast!
5 – Soba Toshikoshi Tempura: A Crispy Variation for the New Year of Oriental Style
Ingredients:
For Soba:
- 300g soba (buckwheat noodles)
- Water to cook the soba
- Shall
Dashi Broth:
- 1 liter of water
- 15 g of dried bonito flakes (katsuobushi)
- 10g dried seaweed (kombu)
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 2 tablespoons of sake
For the Tempura:
- Vegetables of your choice (squash, carrots, eggplant, etc.)
- Peeled shrimp
- 1 cup of wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 cup of ice water
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
Prepare o Dashi:
- In a pan, add the water, kombu, and bonito flakes.
- Heat until almost boiling and remove the kombu.
- Boil for another 5 minutes, then strain to remove the bonito flakes.
- Add soy sauce, mirin, and sake to the dashi broth. Reserve.
Prepare a Stove:
- Cook soba according to package instructions, usually in boiling salted water.
- Drain and rinse the soba in cold water. Reserve.
Prepare or Tempura:
- Mix the wheat flour, baking powder, and ice water until you get a smooth dough.
- Heat the oil in a large pan.
- Dip the vegetables and shrimp in the tempura batter and fry until golden. Drain on a paper towel.
Assembly:
- Place the soba into individual bowls.
- Pour the dashi broth over the soba.
- Tidy upos tempura over the soba.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
This is a basic recipe, and you can customize it to your preferences. You can also add chopped chives, grated radish or chopped nori for more flavor.
Conclusion: A toast to the flavors of new beginnings
Studying the culinary traditions that make up the table of the New Year in several points around the world, we discovered that gastronomy is more than just food; it is a manifestation of culture, history, and meaning. Each recipe presented in this feast of taste is not only with carefully selected ingredients but also with one history that goes beyond flavor.
On this New Year’s Eve, when we meet at times of tables full of delicacies that reflect the traditions of different cultures, we celebrate not only Ofinal do year but also the promise of a new beginning. Each full plate of symbolism and meaning invites you to savor the richness of experiences shared beyond the ingredients.
When we welcome the New Year, we take with us the lessons of culinary traditions: the importance of unity, celebration, and renewed hope. Let the flavors we explore already mesa New Year’s Eve inspire us to create unforgettable moments, to value meaningful relationships and to seize opportunities.
This New Year’s Eve celebration of traditional and famous recipes it must not be just a party to the senses, but a testimony to the variety and wealth of life. Toasting flavors on one new beginning, we lift the cups no only in celebration, but also in recognition of the way we have ahead of us. That the new year is full of moments wonderful, enriching experiences and, above all, of many reasons to celebrate. Happy New Year!
New Year’s – FAQ:
What food brings good luck for the new year
Hoppin’ John is a type of food that is believed to bring good luck in the New Year in South America. This happy meal is combined with rice, black-eyed peas, and bacon, along with all the other ingredients that symbolize success and happiness.
Black-eyed peas are believed to represent coins, bringing wealth and fortune, rice symbolizes wealth, and pork adds a rich flavor. Preparing Hoppin’ John for New Year’s Eve is a great way to welcome in the new year with health and confidence, and hopefully good luck and prosperity in the months ahead.
What food do they eat in Chinese New Year
During Chinese New Year, families gather to enjoy a feast full of symbols of good luck. One of the highlights is Soba Nenkotsu Tempura, a Japanese dish of soba (buckwheat noodles) and crispy tempura. The long noodles represent longevity and are often served with a dashi broth made from dried bonito flakes and seaweed, creating a delicious base. The tempura contains vegetables and shrimp, which add a delicious, rich flavor to the dish. This combination is not only delicious, but also symbolizes long life and prosperity, making it a popular choice for holiday celebrations.
What food do you eat on lunar new year
During the Lunar New Year, many cultures enjoy dishes that reflect prosperity and health, such as Cotechino and Lentils, an Italian specialty perfect for celebration. Cotechino is a pork sausage with lentils that is believed to bring wealth due to its coin shape. Lentils cooked with onions, carrots, celery, and tomatoes in a delicious broth are complemented by a hearty sausage. The combination of flavors and textures makes cotchino and lentils a comforting and healthy way to start the new year, clearly celebrating tradition and the promise of business success in the year to come.
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