The New Year's menu has long ceased to be a competition of "who can roast a goose better." Often, familiar dishes—chicken with herbs or beef in the oven—become everyday classics. But sometimes you want something festive and spectacular that will surprise your guests and not require extra fuss. We have selected four hot dishes that look impressive and are easy to prepare.
1. Chicken in Cranberry
Ingredients:
- Chicken or chicken thighs – 1.2–1.5 kg
- Fresh or frozen cranberries – 250 g
- Honey – 2 tbsp
- Soy sauce – 3 tbsp
- Garlic – 3–4 cloves
- Salt, pepper – to taste
- Rosemary – 1–2 sprigs
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp.
Preparation: Mash the cranberries, mix with honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic to create a sweet and sour marinade. Rub the chicken with salt and pepper, add oil, and pour the marinade over it. You can let it sit for an hour, but if you’re short on time, put it straight in the oven. Bake at 190 °C for 40–50 minutes, basting occasionally with the juices. Serve with the pan sauce and fresh cranberries.
2. Salmon with Citrus Zest and Cream Sauce
Ingredients:
- Salmon fillet – 700–800 g
- Orange – 1 pc, lemon – 1 pc
- Cream 20–30% – 200 ml
- Dijon mustard – 1 tbsp
- Garlic – 1 clove
- Olive oil – 1 tbsp
- Salt, pepper – to taste
Preparation: Zest the citrus fruits, mix with oil, salt, and pepper, and coat the fillet. Bake for 12–15 minutes at 180 °C. For the sauce: slightly reduce the cream, add mustard and garlic. Drizzle the sauce over the fish immediately after baking.
3. Veal with Spicy Crust and White Wine Sauce
Ingredients:
- Veal tenderloin – 900 g
- Dry white wine – 150 ml
- Sweet paprika – 1 tsp
- Thyme – 1 tsp
- Garlic – 2 cloves
- Butter – 30 g
- Salt, pepper – to taste
Preparation: Rub the meat with a mixture of spices and garlic, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Sear in a hot skillet until golden brown, then transfer to the oven at 180 °C for 20–25 minutes. For the sauce: reduce the wine in the skillet, then add the butter. Slice the veal thinly and serve with the sauce and fresh thyme.
4. Pasta with Shrimp in Saffron Sauce
Ingredients:
- Pasta – 300 g (tagliatelle or fettuccine)
- Peeled shrimp – 300 g
- Cream 20–30% – 250 ml
- Garlic – 1 clove
- Saffron – a pinch
- Dry white wine – 50 ml
- Salt, pepper – to taste
- Olive oil – 1 tbsp
Preparation: Sauté the shrimp in oil, add garlic and wine. Then pour in the cream with saffron and simmer until slightly thickened. Cook the pasta al dente, mix with the sauce, and heat for a couple of minutes. The consistency should be creamy but not runny.
These dishes are easy to prepare, look impressive, and will add a festive mood to the New Year's table.
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