A typical NYE gathering has to have some hummus, some baba ghanouj and of course some batata harra.
But, it's time you switch up your mezza this year with some unique additions.
P.S. Your guests will be impressed.
1. Halloumi Fries
Cut the halloumi cheese into equally sized pieces. Heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the halloumi sticks.
Cook for about 1.5 minutes until the cheese turns golden-brown. You could sprinkle with lemon juice, oregano and pepper and you can always go a little crazy with your dips.
Some ideas for dip: hot sauce, chili sauce, zaatar, debs el remmen or even some ketchup-mayo dip!
2. Makdous
Get your tiny eggplants and stuff them with walnuts and sun-dried red pepper, and you'll be good to go! You'll definitely perfect the recipe from your first try, it's so simple.
If you don't have homemade makdous ready, then buy a jar from the store and serve it alongside crackers and cheese.
3. Hummus-stuffed chicken breasts
Lay chicken smooth-side down on a work surface and season with salt and pepper.
Evenly spread about two tablespoons of hummus on each breast. Wrap each breast in aluminum foil. The chill in the fridge for about 45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Whisk egg whites and water. Unwrap chicken and roll in flour. Shake off excess flour and submerge in egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Finally place in breadcrumbs.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add rolled chicken breasts.
Cook until golden on all sides. The put the chicken breasts in a baking dish and bake for 15 minutes. Remove them from oven and let them sit for 5 minutes. Using a knife, slice each breast into for or five pieces and serve!
4. Halloumi covered in kashkawan
Cut up your halloumi cheese and place it in a pan. Get kashkawan cheese and place them on top of the halloumi cheese as you watch it melt ... into your soul.
Make sure to serve this while it's still sizzling!
5. Roasted red labneh
Purée red pepper, lemon juice and honey in a blender until smooth. Mix red pepper purée and labneh in a medium bowl; season with salt. Cover and chill.
Place the spread in little plates with some warm pita bread on the side. Don't forget to garnish the plate with some olive oil and a sprinkle of zaatar too.
6. Halloumi skewers
Get your wooden skewers, because there's nothing boring about a vegetarian barbecue when halloumi's involved.
Instead of grilling your meat (or alongside your meat), consider putting together these skewers of halloumi diced pieces, red pepper, tomatoes, koussa and red onions for a perfect addition to your traditional BBQ.
You can also make a few dips on the side including hummus, baba ghanoush and maybe even some chili sauce.