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These New Year’s recipes, prophecies, and celebrations are a total blast.

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New Year’s is celebrated differently the world over. While New York City is counting down in Time Square and watching the ball drop, the people of Germany are filling the streets and setting off fireworks to the sound of the local church bells. This takes place at midnight in every village, town, and big city throughout the country. The clanging bells and booming rockets are a great way to say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new. Not to mention, the lights and noises are very effective in chasing away all the bad spirits!

WATCH THE FIREWORKS ON THE STREETS OF FRANKFURT

New Year’s Eve in Germany is called Silvester and is always accompanied with good food and drink throughout the long night. (See recipes below.) While some are partying in the streets, others might be celebrating quietly at home—playing games and watching “Dinner for One” on TV. This English sketch comedy show has become a New Year’s tradition since the early seventies. Have a look.

WATCH A CLIP FROM THE COMEDY “DINNER FOR ONE”

For many years, I’ve missed the thrill and excitement of watching fireworks in late December. One year, a few days after Christmas and before New Year’s Eve, I heard a surprising “BOOM!” in my backyard. When I opened the door to the deck, I saw a firework display in our garden. Sparkles of light shot in all directions and the stars from the rockets shined over our house.I was confused and delighted—all at the same time. It was my teenage son, with the help of a kind neighbor, who set up the choreographed light show for my birthday. What great memory! It made up for all the years that I missed the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. And to this day, I still consider it the most beautiful fireworks display I have ever seen.

Einen Guten Rutsch und Prosit Neujahr.

Happy New Year and best wishes to all. _Oma

Let’s eat!

Whether you’re throwing a big party or attending a small gathering, the right dish for the occasion can make all the difference. This New Year’s Eve try one of these great recipes: Shrimp Dip, Marinated Herring, Midnight Soup, and Jam-Filled Sweet Rolls. Click and enjoy!

Let’s drink!

Fire Tongs Punch (Feuerzangenbowle)

No New Year’s celebration is complete without Fire Tongs Punch. This popularity of this warm, sweet wine punch skyrocketed after the release of its namesake, the 1944 German film Die Feuerzangenbowle. Both are cult classics and a must have on New Year’s Eve. Click here for the recipe.

Master of Hunters (Jaegermeister)

Jaegermeister used to be a job title: Master of Hunters. Today, it is better known as an herbal liqueur. Jaegermeister was regarded more as a drink for older people—which was used to help digest after a heavy meal. Around 2004, the green bottle was rediscovered by younger adults and became hip in certain circles. It is best served ice cold—which means it needs to be chilled right around the freezing point. Look for the head of a buck on the label (that’s how you know you have a real bottle) and present your Jaegermeister to your New Year’s guests in tubes on a special rack. C’mon, how hip is that? Cheers!

Feeling lucky?

This new year, good fortune is sure to pour your way. Discover “Bleigiessen,” a fun German tradition of pouring melted lead into cold water to predict the future. Oh, and do have a Gluecksbringer? Not sure? Well, you’re in luck. There are plenty here. You’ll be charmed, I’m sure. _Oma

Einen Guten Rutsch und Prosit Neujahr. _Oma

 

 

 

 

Midnight Soup (Mitternachtssuppe)

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In Germany, Midnight Soup is a very popular dish on New Year’s Eve for several reasons. First, it’s is easy to prepare and store in the freezer long before the big event. Secondly, it’s spicy which is a perfect complement to a night of drinking. Thirdly, it’s quick and easy to warm up and serve—and after celebrating in the streets with fireworks, that’s a big plus on a cold night. Lastly, it’s just so good! So warm up to this delicious soup. It’s practically a meal in itself. Just serve with some crackers, chips, or bread and start the new year the easy way. Or should I say, The Oma Way!

Ingredients:

  • 600 g (21 oz) of lean ground beef
  • 2 big onions—chopped
  • 400 g (14 oz) of bell pepper (in a variety of colors) chopped
  • 400 g (14 oz) of canned kidney beans
  • 1 can of tomato paste (170g - 6 oz)
  • ½-1 chili pepper—fresh chopped
  • 2–3 cloves of garlic—chopped
  • 1l (34 oz) of water
  • 350 ml (12 oz) of red wine
  • 3 cubes of vegetable bouillon
  • Paprika—mild
  • Salt
  • 2–3 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons of English Double Cream or Crème Fraiche

Preparation:

Heat up the oil and fry the ground beef in a large pot. Once browned, add onions, garlic, chilli pepper, and bell peppers—one after the other. After the vegetables have had a chance cook for a bit, add the tomato paste and the water and wine to the pot. Dissolve the vegetable bouillon by placing the cubes in a cup with a little water (meant for the soup) and microwave it for a minute or two. Add the vegetable broth to the soup along with the kidney beans and cook on low heat for about 30-40 minutes. Make sure to stir from time to time.

Finish by seasoning the soup with some paprika and salt. Serve with a dollop of English Cream (OR) Crème Fraiche. DONE!