🔗 Share this article Countdown to the New Year: A Holiday Spread. When it involves throwing parties, individuals usually separate into a couple of rather different camps: people that enjoy doing it, and people that would choose to do virtually something else. Being ready ahead of time is essential, and selecting a few tasty recipes to kick off the festivities will amuse your attendees while you aim to keep the show on the road. Citrusy Smoked Paprika Almonds with Fennel These zesty, flavorful bites prove to be a perfect pairing for the vibrant pink grapefruit mocktails featured next. Buckwheat Blinis with Ricotta and Salmon A delicious festive appetizer that can readily be adapted to offer with a different topping for the kids. Refreshing Grapefruit Mocktails with Cardamom & Lime These drinks are a zesty option to booze, but also create a wonderful mixer for a tequila-based beverage. Lemon-Infused Juniper Martinis Handcrafted gin for a special festive drink, perfect for gifting or offering at events. Slow-Cooked Shredded Lamb Shoulder with Red Onion Sumac Salad Revel in the glory of this show-stopping centerpiece – everyone will for a moment suspect how little effort was involved. Festive Chocolate Cranberry Tart In this rich finale, pockets of aromatic cranberry jam are cooked into a chocolaty filling for a combination that uses any abundance of berries to good purpose.