New Year Nibbles

Hors d'oeuvres for New Year's Eve!

By Debbie Friedman

which will be a terrific warm appetizer for kids and adults alike on New Year's Eve.

I confess -- I really like garlic. I'm usually not too shy about serving my garlicky dishes to friends. I figure they can fend for themselves. This Red Bell Pepper Dip is best served at room temperature, or very slightly warmed. I can't remember where I found the recipe, but I've been making it for years. Serve with warm sliced French bread and it is one of those foods that is hard to stop eating.

Assuming that people will be leaving my home early for later parties and celebrations, I'm not going to serve alcohol. I'm just sharing a decision I made that makes me feel most comfortable. There are wonderful and festive alternatives to alcohol. Good Cheers to You is one that adults and kids alike should enjoy. Using sparkling apple juice (a standard in our apple-growing region) mixed with cherry cider, kids get a real kick from the "fizzies" this drink produces.

It is very easy to create variations on these "fizzy" drinks by taking any flavor sparkling water and adding your favorite juice. I enjoy the mixture of sparkling lemon and orange juice. Experiment ahead of time with these healthy alternatives to sodas.

Want to see more?

• Holiday Headquarters
• Y2K Babies: The Fear of Millennium Mayhem