Family New Year's Eve Fondue
If there are young children in your family, here are some tips to make sure fondue is both fun and safe for all: Use slow cookers that stay cool on the outside (borrow some from the neighbors if necessary) instead of fondue pots. Place them on the table just before serving, and keep electric cords out of the reach of children. Remove the pots as soon as the meal is over. Or if you prefer, skip the slow cooker idea. Instead, ladle the hot fondue from a pot on the counter into small bowls or custard cups.
Make it Special!
A Toast to the New Year
- Sparkling Catawba grape juice or sparkling apple cider in stemmed glasses makes toasting in the New Year extra-festive! Kids feel really special when they can drink from stemmed glasses, too. Afraid of breaking your good crystal? You can pick up plastic stemmed glasses at party or import stores.
Flashlight Dancing Works Out the Wiggles
- Are you ready to rock and roll? Between the main course and dessert, pass out flashlights to all the family members. Then turn on some music with a good beat, and turn out the lights. Dancing and blinking the flashlights to the music is midnight madness for any age! Just be sure to move furniture and lamps to the side of the room so you can avoid any crashes.
Preparation Guide
Up to 2 Days Before
- Make Eggnog Pound Cake. Cut into bite-size cubes; store tightly covered.
The Day Before
- Wash romaine, and tear into pieces. Peel and cut fruits and onion for Orange-Poppy Seed Salad.
The Morning Of
- Cut vegetables and tear French bread for Double-Cheese Fondue. Cover and refrigerate vegetables; store bread in tightly sealed plastic food-storage bag.
- Prepare (but do not bake) Herbed French Bread; refrigerate wrapped bread until ready to bake.
- Make Poppy Seed Dressing for Orange-Poppy Seed Salad; cover and refrigerate.
20 Minutes Before Dinner
- Bake Herbed French Bread.
- Make Double Cheese Fondue; set out vegetables and bread pieces.
10 Minutes Before Dinner
- Stir Poppy Seed Dressing; toss Orange-Poppy Seed Salad.
15 Minutes Before Dessert
- Make Milk Chocolate Fondue.