New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate the past year and look forward to the new one. It is also a time to enjoy delicious food and drinks with your loved ones. If you are looking for easy appetizer ideas for new years eve party, you have come to the right place. Seafood is an excellent choice for a festive occasion, as it is elegant, flavorful, and versatile. You can prepare seafood in various ways, such as grilling, baking, frying, or steaming, and pair it with different sauces, sides, and salads. Whether you prefer oysters, lobster, salmon, or scallops, there is a seafood dish for every taste and budget. Here are some of the best new year’s eve side dishes for celebration.

4 Easy Appetizers For New Years Eve Party

1. Spaghetti With Lobster Pomodoro

Lobster Pomodoro is a delightful dish that combines the richness of lobster with the flavors of a classic tomato-based sauce. Here’s a simple recipe for Spaghetti with Lobster Pomodoro.

Ingredients:

• 2 South African lobster tails
• 1 pound spaghetti
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Preparations:

1. If you’re using live lobsters, boil a large pot of water. Once the water is boiling, carefully add the live lobsters and cook for about 8-10 minutes until they turn bright red. Remove the lobsters from the water and let them cool.
2. After cooling, remove lobster meat from shells and chop into bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, ask a fishmonger to prepare it.
3. Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta, saving 1/2 cup of water.
4. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for a minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
5. Add the chopped lobster meat to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until the lobster is heated.
6. Pour the crushed tomatoes, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce slightly thicken.
7. Add the cooked Spaghetti to the skillet with the lobster Pomodoro sauce. Toss the pasta gently to coat it evenly with the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
8. Once the spaghetti is coated with the sauce, sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top and toss it to combine.
9. Serve the Spaghetti with lobster pomodoro hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired.

2. Creamy Shrimp Risotto With Mascarpone

Creamy shrimp risotto with mascarpone is a mouthwatering dish that combines tender shrimp, creamy rice, and tangy cheese.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound super colossal shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• 4 cups chicken or seafood broth
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparations:

1. Heat the chicken or seafood broth over low heat in a saucepan and keep it warm.
2. Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat in a separate large skillet or pan. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
3. Add the Arborio rice to the skillet and stir it for about 2 minutes until the rice grains become translucent around the edges.
4. Pour in the white wine and cook until the liquid is absorbed, stirring constantly.
5. Add the warm broth to the rice mixture, one ladleful at a time, stirring continuously and allowing the liquid to absorb before adding more. This process will take about 18-20 minutes. When cooked, the rice should be creamy but still slightly firm (al dente).
6. While the risotto is cooking, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in another skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side—season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
7. Once the risotto is cooked to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, mascarpone cheese, and chopped parsley until well combined.
8. Gently fold the cooked shrimp, reserving a few for garnish if desired.
9. Serve the creamy shrimp risotto immediately, garnished with additional shrimp and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your delicious meal!

3. Seared Scallops With Brown Butter and Lemon Pan Sauce

Seared scallops with brown butter and lemon pan sauce is a delicious and easy dish that you can make in less than 20 minutes. Here’s a tasty recipe for Seared Scallops with Brown Butter and Lemon Pan Sauce:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh Diver sea scallops, side muscle removed
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparations:

1. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until it’s shimmering but not smoking.
3. Carefully add the scallops to the hot skillet, ensuring they’re not crowded. Let them sear without moving for 2-3 minutes until a golden crust forms.
4. Flip the scallops using tongs and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes until they’re cooked through and browned on both sides. Remove the scallops from the skillet and transfer them to a plate. Keep them warm.
5. In the same skillet over medium heat, add the butter. Let it melt and cook until it turns golden brown, swirling the pan occasionally.
6. Add the minced garlic to the browned butter and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
7. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice. Mix well to combine.
8. Place the seared scallops into the skillet with the brown butter lemon sauce. Gently toss the scallops in the sauce to coat them.
9. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the scallops.

4. Crab Linguine With Arugula

Crab linguine with arugula is a delicious and easy pasta dish that features fresh crab meat, lemon, garlic, and peppery arugula.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz linguine pasta
• 1 lb crab meat jumbo lump
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 4 cups fresh arugula
• Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Preparations:

1. Cook the linguine pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté the garlic for exactly 1 minute until it becomes aromatic. Burning the garlic can spoil the dish.
3. Add the crabmeat to the skillet and gently toss it with the garlic and red pepper flakes until heated through.
4. Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
5. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the crab mixture. Toss everything together, adding the lemon zest and juice. Add some reserved pasta water to loosen it up if the pasta seems dry.
6. Season the dish with salt and black pepper according to your taste.
7. Turn off the heat and add the fresh arugula to the skillet. Toss gently until the arugula begins to wilt slightly.
8. Serve the crab linguine with arugula in bowls or on plates. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Conclusion

A seafood-themed dinner offers an exquisite way to welcome the New Year with flair and indulgence. Whether you opt for classic favorites like lobster tails, shrimp risotto, or innovative dishes such as tuna tataki and crab linguine with arugula, these seafood recipes for new years eve promises to captivate the senses and elevate your celebration. The richness of flavors, coupled with the freshness of the ocean, provides a delightful culinary experience that symbolizes abundance and prosperity for the year ahead.