We are renting a ski house, and I’m looking for dinner ideas for New Year’s Eve. A couple of people traveling with us are somewhat picky eaters so no fish, duck, lamb, or mushrooms. And no chicken or pasta (I made a chicken lasagne for the evening before). A few ideas I have but am not married to are short ribs, pulled pork, sausage & peppers and steak. But they all seem boring. What are you making/eating? Any ideas for something different or fun? The kitchen seems well-equipped and there’s a grill. There are 9 of us.
How about a pork crown roast? Prime rib?
We’re doing herbed stuffed Cornish game hens because of some guest preference limitations.
2 Likes
We do fondue. It’s a running joke with my family friends that if they come to my house, they have to cook their own food. It’s a fun dinner, encourages conversation and even the pickiest eaters love it.
9 Likes
Can you get your hands on wild boar meat? You can basically do whatever you would do with pork but it is a bit more fun/festive/flavorful.
1 Like
A hit and you can prep it all before is Ina Garten Herbed Pork Tenderloins. Great with risotto or a potato gratin dish and sautéed green beans and a simple green salad. End with a chocolate fondue - pound cake, fruit and for the kids (if any) marshmallows. One of our fav ski house dinner and you could even prep the pork the day before and then just pop in the oven.
1 Like
We are going to a friend’s house and a group of us are doing fondue.
1 Like
I always do pulled pork for a crowd because it’s what everyone asks me to make. I serve it with a roasted sweet potato salad.
Cook up a package of bacon on a cookie sheet. Save the grease!
Roast cubed sweet potatoes in the bacon grease. (you can use white potatoes as well, but I like sweet potatoes with pork)
Sautee shallots in some of the bacon grease.
Toss sweet potatoes with 1/2 the bacon, celery, and shallots.
Make a dressing of mayo, thyme, salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar, and just a bit of mustard. I thin it with olive oil so it’s not a thick mayo.
Mix with the sweet potatoes. Top with the other half of the bacon and a bunch of parsley.
For a smaller crowd, if I’m going a bit fancier, I’ll make a pork loin. Marinate in balsamic vinegar, oil, parlsey, thyme and garlic. Brown in a hot skillet (scrape of the herbs before browning so they don’t burn) and finish in oven. Save drippings (you can add some beef broth is there aren’t many drippings, there should be about 1/2) and add to a pan with 2 cups of red wine, shallots, and a couple of springs of rosemary. Reduce by 1/2 (until it coats the back of a spoon). I usually serve with roasted sweet potatoes and green beans.
6 Likes
Marinated pork tenderloin. Serve with a potato or rice side dish, and a veggie of some sort. Very easy. You can buy marinated pork tenderloins already marinated. They grill easily and don’t take long.
The picky eaters should be contributing to the meal.
We have New Years with the same folks every year. We have had a variety of meals. Everyone pitches in. This year, the main course is lamb. I’m making salad and make ahead potatoes. Two others are bringing appetizers.
1 Like
We’re going to watch Wicked so dinner will be all pink and green. 
6 Likes
Make your own baked potato bar. Serve it with a large bowl of crisp simple greens dressed with a light, champagne vinaigrette.
Fluffy, long-baked russets and/or sweet potatoes with a topping bar for the pickiest to make their own:
Sour cream + caviar
Chili (vegetarian or beef)
Bacon
Cheeses (I like cheedar and a mild blue)
Avocado
Roast broccoli florets
Pulled pork (cheat and buy ahead, rewarm)
Chives or scallions
Salsa
Grilled bell peppers
Grilled chicken
Sliced Jalapeno
The list goes on…
I like this because everyone preps together, the oven warms the house for 90 minutes while the potatoes bake. If you set it up attractively, it is fun and interactive. Serve the salad at the table so there is something to pass after each person has created their potato at the buffet.
8 Likes
You probably wouldn’t do this…I am having some relatives over and I am serving hot pot, its Chinese version of fondue. :). They are going to cook their own meal.
I’ll put out a large pot of broth, with thin sliced pork, beef, chicken, and fresh tofu, vegetables, shrimp, dumplings, taro, with a lot of dipping sauces.
We’ll start out with fresh oysters and champagne.
4 Likes
A good prime rib never hurts! I made one for Christmas(my first time cooking Christmas dinner) and it really isn’t difficult if you have a meat thermometer and a lot of time.
3 Likes
If they are all so picky, why not find a good take out restaurant and have everyone order their own entrees, then order whole bunch appetizers to share.
3 Likes
Decided on apps plus some grilled rib eyes. A bit weird but oh well. We are watching the Penn State game so a sit down dinner doesn’t work.
Buffalo chicken dip
Corned beef rueben bites
Pigs in a blanket
Skirt steak tacos
Tater tots
Chips and salsa and guac
3 Likes