Simon Food Favourites: New Year's Eve Party

03 January 2014

New Year's Eve Party (31 Dec 2013)

Happy Foodie New Year!

My brother had a casual house party for New Year's Eve which has distant views of the city skyline to view the fireworks. The theme was 'alcohol' and there was definitely no shortage of it. I raided my home bar of spirits and his good friend Ana made 100 vodka jelly shots which was crazy — and no we didn't get through them all, thankfully. Lots of snacks from Costco and the fridge was fully stocked of champagne, beers and wine. I made a few 2 shot mojitos for the friends and unfortunately burnt the pastizzi after not hearing the oven timer when distracted by the 9 pm fireworks. They still tasted OK though or perhaps my drunk palate was not discerning enough. Glow sticks always add a bit of retro fun to the night and make for some cool time lapse photos.

I hope you all had a great time as well and were able to share with your friends and loved ones to welcome in the new year. May it be full of happy eats and wonderful new memories.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Watching fireworks is always cool

CONS: Someone has to clean up the mess at a house party

MUST TRY: Costco is really cheap

—

Distant view of the city to watch the fireworks

Simon's bar — name your poison!

Champagne on standby for midnight celebrations

I do love my Henkell

Fully stocked fridge and ready for party action

Party food, glow sticks and party poppers

Esky filled and chilling

Sugar hit backup

Cocktail making station

Sinks make for a great area to chill your mixers

First drink of the night — Pimms and lemonade

Ana created the 'Anateaser'

Cheers! The sippy cup was my daughters

Somebody got a little clumsy with her milk — Baby Taxi!

Mango dacquiri

Frangelico with soda and fresh lime

Mojito with Barcardi, fresh lime, mint, sugar and soda

Mojito cheers

Dips from Costco were pretty good

Proscuitto from Pino's Dolce Vita, assorted cheese and stuffed olives

9 pm fireworks

Somebody burnt the pastizzi — my bad

Jugernauts and my brother in charge of music

Glow stick photo time

Costco dumpling time

Glow stick dance floor

Midnight champagne time

Midnight cheers

Midnight fireworks

I hope that's fireworks or is the city on fire?

05 January 2013

New Year's Eve Bogan Style Party in Coogee (31 Dec 2012)

Happy Bogan New Year!

As 2012 came to a close it was time to wear my best mullet and transform myself into a bogan for a New Year's Eve party in Coogee. The trusty One Dip Wonder Mexican Salsa was a hit combined with a huge 1 kg bag of Mission corn chips from Costco for carbing it up. To keep the drinks flowing freely my smart thinking brother bought two 5 litre Willow cooler jugs. One was filled with Hendrick's Gin & Tonic and the other with Frangelico, Lime & Soda — too easy. The 9 pm Coogee Beach fireworks were visible from the terrace while the midnight fireworks at Bondi Beach could be just seen far in the distance. An ankle deep pool was a recipe for frivolity spurred on by alcohol in the true bogan spirit of having a blast to the tunes of Cold Chisel and Gangnam Style. A pop up bar made from crates just that afternoon was bloody brilliant and might possibly become a bar feature at the residence. Late night hungry cravings were satisfied with a good old Aussie sausage sizzle. All in all a very fun night of drinking, eating and more drinking while my parents babysat Isabelle — God bless them.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Catching up with friends for a fun time

CONS: Too much alcohol will give you a bad hangover the next day

MUST TRY: Checking out Costco for monster bargains

—