Even More Ideas!
Salmon Cakes
Crab cakes are a tasty appetizer option for
any party; however, crabs are considered an
unlucky ingredient for the New Year. So swap
out the shellfish for salmon and serve with a
remoulade sauce and a squeeze of lemon. Many
cultures consume fish for luck because their
scales resemble coins and they swim forward,
representing progress.
Lentil Hummus
It’s Italian tradition to prepare lentils as the year
begins because their resemblance to Roman
coins represents wealth and prosperity. Serve
a lucky twist on hummus using cooked, cooled
lentils in place of chickpeas.
Baked Brie with Pomegranate
In Turkey and Greece, pomegranates represent
life and fertility due to their vibrant color,
and their many seeds symbolize prosperity.
Party guests will love the balance of a sweet
pomegranate, honey and pecan mixture on top
of a savory baked brie.
Pulled Pork Crescent Ring
To celebrate the year coming full circle, ringshaped
foods are consumed to bring luck for
the year ahead. Combine pulled pork, which
symbolizes progress because pigs root forward,
with barbecue sauce, cheese and red onions
then bake the mixture into a crescent roll ring to
knock out two lucky traditions in one.
Black Eyed Pea Dip
Another southern staple on New Year’s Day
is black eyed peas. Like other beans, they’re
thought to look like coins and represent
expanding wealth since they expand when they
cook. Include a hot, cheesy black eyed pea dip
to your party spread or keep it cold by adding
black eyed peas to your usual salsa recipe.
www.CentralFloridaLifestyle.com 25
Florida Spinach and Bacon
Stuffed Mushrooms
Courtesy of Fresh From Florida
A typical southern meal on New Year’s Day
includes greens and pork, which symbolize wealth
and prosperity respectively. Serve these stuffed
mushrooms at your New Year’s Eve party for a head
start on your 2020 luck.
Ingredients:
• 1 pound Florida mushrooms
• 4 cups fresh Florida spinach
• 5 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 onion, diced fine
• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 6 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Oil, for cooking
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook bacon until
crispy and drain on paper towel (reserve 1/4 cup of
bacon drippings). Coarsely crumble bacon. Heat 2
teaspoons reserved bacon drippings in skillet over
medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until
tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl and allow
to cool. Mix in bacon, spinach, feta, cream cheese
and crushed red pepper. Season to taste with salt
and pepper. Toss mushrooms and remaining bacon
fat in large bowl to coat and season with salt and
pepper. Place mushrooms, rounded side down, on
baking sheet and bake until centers fill with liquid
(about 15 minutes). Turn mushrooms over and bake
for another 5 minutes. Remove from oven, fill with
spinach mixture, and return to oven for additional
7 minutes. Transfer to platter and serve warm.
Source: www.FollowFreshFromFlorida.com
/www.CentralFloridaLifestyle.com
/www.FollowFreshFromFlorida.com