The last night of the year is special for everyone. Many traditions come to life as we welcome the New Year. The ingredients and dishes that are typically prepared and eaten at this time of year are an integral part of these traditions. It wouldn't be New Year's Eve without them.
What to celebrate on 31 December
The past, a whole year behind us, is now a thing of the past. For everyone, there are some events that have given us pleasant or sad memories. On this evening, we can let go of them and give ourselves over to what is to come. We have various ceremonies, and food and drink are an important part of them. We try to evoke abundance for the future and symbolise this in the food we eat. Of course, there are also typical dishes for this holiday, which are are served in a restaurant or home.
The last supper and the dawn dishes
On the first night of the new year, we're not afraid to eat well and fill our bellies with our favourites. The usual range is quite wide. There are those who welcome the New Year with a sumptuous, multi-course meal, and others who just have snacks. The usual one-dish meals, the leftovers from the holidays, are on this day typical accessories. This day usually stretches until dawn the next day, so there is at least one more meal after dinner. As this is a rare occurrence, there are no hard and fast rules for this meal.
The lucky food
A lens, be it in the form of soup or stew, is on the table in most households. Because it is made up of many small eyes, it is meant to represent money. So, according to superstition, we should eat, and the more we eat the more abundant the New Year will be. The other meaning, apart from material prosperity, is health, as it is rich in vitamins, so it is good to eat it all year round. Stew is not typically an elegant dish, but it can be served in any setting.
A cabbage is also a symbol of abundance. In our country, stuffed cabbage is a favourite, a regular on our tables all year round and a lucky charm. In some nations, any ingredient with a green leafy base has a place on the New Year's Eve table. So, for your financial well-being, feel free to eat spinach or any other kind of salad, which add a touch of colour to the festive table. You can of course add different dressings to taste.
New Year's sausages in all shapes and sizes
An indispensable part of the New Year's Eve menu. The advantage is that it can be made in many different forms and doesn't take too long to prepare. The easiest way is to use virslit cooked and eaten in the traditional way, with mustard and bread. Of course, there is plenty of variation. You can make salads, eat it with sweet and savoury pastries, dip it in any kind of sauce. You can bake it, stuff it, twist it, make it into a casserole with pasta, with potatoes, You can also make a really filling sausage salad with onions and pickles.
The succulent roast mackerel
It's good to be generous, but it's a good idea to start baking well in advance. You don't need much, just a large malacka, a frying pan and an oven. The number of recipes and variations in this case is also numerous. You can season with garlic, bake with potatoes and fill to taste. A really good one mala roast looks good on the table, not to mention that it can also be eaten with bread, leftover knitting, salad. We can be sure that no one will go hungry.
Soups for rent
A Frankfurt soup and the age soup may be the best choice. Basically, it can also be seen as a one-dish meal, especially if you have pastry with it. It is good to prepare in advance, quick to heat up and filling. The soup is even said to be perfect for a hangover, so it's a good idea to make a big batch. Although it's not a common practice, if you're making a New Year's Eve Jókai bean soup thickly and with hocks, I'm sure many will have a hearty repast until the morning.
Jellies roasting on cold plates
You can't go wrong with a New Year's Eve menu if you opt for a buffet-style option. You can prepare sandwiches well in advance, with a variety of toppings. You can prepare a huge variety of salamis, cheeses, fish, roasts and salads. Although it is a divisive dish, many people love tartare, which can be served on its own or with toast. And, in good Hungarian tradition, the kocsonya, lined up in bowls, will delight most guests. Many people love it not only because it's delicious, but because its jelly-like texture can even be fun.
Cakes and pastries in all quantities
It's a good idea to be prepared to accompany your drinks with the right snacks. Those cakes are perfect for any leftover Christmas casseroles, but it's worth making a few in advance. What's important, though, is that at this time of year, everyone tends to gravitate towards savoury cakes. Cheese sticks, scones (cottage cheese, cheese, sourdough), bacon crisp, cheese rolls. It doesn't hurt to stock up on sweet treats either, they're sure to sell out. You could call New Year's Eve the night of crisps, crisps, salty nuts, but homemade cakes will definitely beat them.
