We've reached the middle of December, and with that comes an important topic among families and friends: the end-of-year dinner. Whether it's Christmas or New Year's, organizing an incredible moment to close out the year is essential. 

We've already discussed general tips for planning these meetings, and you can check out the complete material. Click here. However, our focus in this post is on tips for innovating and bringing new dishes to the end-of-year dinner. 

Keep reading!

New Year's Eve dinner: the meanings of traditional foods 

Before we talk about ways to innovate in holiday meals, it's worth highlighting some of the meanings of foods that are commonly consumed during this period. After all, Christmas and New Year's are dates with many traditions, and this is also reflected in gastronomy. 

There are some traditions common to both holidays, such as champagne and wine, but each also has its own unique aspects. At Christmas, for example, one of the most traditional foods is poultry as the main dish for the Christmas dinner. Turkey, in particular, is a Christmas tradition that, according to historians, began in England in the mid-19th century. 

Today, other poultry such as Chester chicken and regular chicken are also very popular and are always chosen as main dishes. 

Now, when we talk about New Year's, many foods that are traditional on this date carry various meanings for the year to come. The pomegranate is a symbol of abundance and fertility, while grapes are known for bringing good luck in the New Year, as is the lentil. 

Tips for adding a unique touch to your New Year's Eve dinner.

Tradition is part of it, but innovation is also a way to surprise guests at the New Year's Eve dinner. But, first of all, it's worth noting that innovation doesn't necessarily mean creating something entirely from scratch. Focus on using creativity to work with tradition and make it functional.

Here on the blog we've talked several times about service formats, for example the American one., finger foods ...and others. And one way to have a different New Year's Eve dinner is to opt for one of these formats. For example, if your New Year's Eve will be among friends, something relaxed, why not try several... finger foods? 

Here are some tips on how to prepare a unique selection of cold cuts, appetizers, main courses, and desserts for your holiday dinners.

The tickets 

First, let's talk about the appetizers, which are the first options offered at the beginning of the event. At this point, you can opt for a cold buffet with various options, for example, Parma ham and other cured meats, a variety of cheeses, fruits, jams, and pâtés. And if you choose this option, our tip is to innovate in the presentation. One trend is to set up the cold buffet in a relaxed way on the table itself, covered with paper. kraft, or in beautiful solid wood planks.

However, if you choose to offer appetizers, our suggestion is always to have a few options to please a variety of tastes. Endive boats with gorgonzola, grapes and walnuts, carpaccio rolls with arugula and parmesan, or a... bruschetta Figs with goat cheese and honey are different and delicious options. 

Main courses

Moving on to the main courses for the New Year's Eve dinner, a good tip is to focus on a fusion of flavors, combining tradition with seasonings and spices. 

For proteins, one way to innovate is to opt for meats that aren't commonly consumed during this period, for example, fish. Furthermore, it's a protein that allows for various preparation methods: baked, in sauce, or even fried. Cod, sole, tuna, or salmon are good options and also bring freshness and lightness to the dish. 

As for side dishes, the options are diverse, and the important thing is to ensure that all guests are catered for. You can opt for pasta such as stuffed ravioli, couscous, risotto, and other options. 

Desserts

Finally, desserts! Since the weather during Christmas and New Year's usually has higher temperatures in Brazil, our first tip is to opt for refreshing desserts. 

Furthermore, we previously mentioned that several fruits have symbolic meanings in the New Year's Eve feast, such as pomegranates and grapes. Therefore, consider desserts like chilled pies or mousses with these flavors, which will bring refreshment and also give a festive, holiday feel. 

One last tip for desserts at Christmas dinner is: opt for beautiful plating, with individual portions if possible. This will make a difference and also prevent food waste.

Host your event with us.

The Center Convention space adapts to a wide variety of events, so celebrate your Christmas or New Year's with us! You can check out all the infrastructure available at the Convention and throughout the Center Shopping Complex by speaking with our team. Call us at (34) 3239-8300 or email comercial@centerconvention.com.br. You can also reserve a date by clicking [here]. HERE.