Here’s wishing you a healthy and hearty New Year

Pomegranate Roast chicken

Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants and is considered a life-giving fruit in many cultures. Some even believe, it was pomegranate not apple that was the fruit of knowledge that eve was tempted by; considering the Garden of Eden was in a dessert.

There is a Turkish tradition which follows smashing a pomegranate on your doorstep for a prosperous New Year. It is believed that the more it breaks the further luck it brings. Smash some pomegranate and save some for dinner.

This sweet, umami pomegranate chicken is simple yet finger licking good. A great appetizer for a New Year’s Eve party.

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1 Kg chicken wings with skin
1 Tbsp coriander powder
1 Tsp cumin powder
1 Tsp allspice powder
½ Tsp cinnamon powder
1 Tsp black pepper powder
Salt

For the sauce
1 Cup Pomegranate molases
1-2 Tsp Sriracha sauce or hot sauce
½ Cup pomegranate

METHOD

1. Place the chicken wings in a bag or container and add all the spices and mix well. Marinate for 1 hour.
2. Place the wins on a wire rack and bake for 45 minutes. Turning it every 15 minutes. (Keep a drip tray to collect the fat).
3. Once done, combine sriracha, chicken dripping and molases. Adjust salt, balance the flavours and toss the chicken wings and cook in a pan for 10 minutes.

Long Noodles

Everyone loves noodles. It features in almost every buffet across the country. The Japanese believe that eating long noodles brings great luck for a long time.

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Make these sesame tossed noodle canapes and they taste delicious cold as well as hot.

2 Pack long noodles (cooked)
¼ Cup chilli flakes
¾ Cup garlic (chopped)
2 Tbsp dark soy
2 Tbsp light soy
¼ Cup chicken stock
2 Tbsp vinegar
¼ Cup sesame seeds
Sesame oil

METHOD

1. In a hot wok, add oil, chilli flakes and garlic and fry till brown.
2. Add soy sauce, chicken stock and vinegar
3. Add noodles and toss with the sesame seeds.
4. Allow to cool. Use a fork, twirl and serve on soup spoons.

Grapes
It is believed by the Spanish that eating 12 grapes while the clock chimes 12 times for Midnight brings in good luck for the 12 months of the new year.

Smashing Grape Cocktail

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It may not be possible to stuff 12 grapes in your mouth and finish them before midnight. But this refreshing smashed grape cocktail brings a way around that.

1/2 cup green grapes
6 fresh mint leaves
2 Lemon slices with rind
2 Tbs lemon juice
2 Tbs sugar syrup
1 Tbs honey
120mL vodka
4mL soda water
Ice

METHOD

1. Crush Ice, lemon slices, mint leaves and grapes.
2. Add the lemon juice, vodka, syrup, honey and water
3. Filter and serve chilled.

Fish: Make a fish dish this New Year’s Eve. It is believed that since fish swim only in one direction, forward, quite like the movement of time, it helps us move ahead in life without the baggage that makes us look back.

Grilled Rosemary Salmon

This a simple and well enjoyed main course dish that makes in minutes.

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4 Steaks of salmon
2 Tbsp butter
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Sesame seeds
2 Sprigs rosemary

METHOD

1. Prepare the salmon by pat drying excess moisture and generously seasoning it.
2. Add butter and oil to a hot skillet and place the salmon skin side up with the sprigs of rosemary.
3. Cook for 4 minutes.
4. Top with sesame seeds and flip the steaks and cook for 4-5 minutes until done.
5. Serve with baked potatoes.

Hidden good luck pudding: Hiding gold coins inside one of the puddings has been a long standing New Year’s Eve tradition. The pudding with the coin inside bring luck to the person who gets it.

Cinnamon Rice Pudding

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100 Gms pudding rice or idli rice
700 ml full fat milk
1 Tbsp butter
1 Can condensed milk (100ml)
20 Gms sugar
1 Tsp cinnamon powder

METHOD

1. Wash and soak the rice in milk for 20 minutes.
2. Butter a baking dish.
3. Combine all the ingredients and transfer to the baking dish.
4. Bake for 2 hours at 160 Degree C.
5. Serve chilled.