On New Year’s Eve, the sky erupts with explosions of light, the countdown begins, and strangers embrace. But let’s be honest, not everyone enjoys the loud and raucous celebrations. If, like me, you prefer a more serene way of welcoming the new year, then this trio of dishes is perfect for you. They are infused with delicate spices that bring warmth and joy, and best of all, you can prepare everything (except the scallops) in advance so that you can enjoy the festivities without being stuck in the kitchen when the clock strikes midnight.

Scallops with Zesty Lime Pickle and Samphire
The lime pickle adds a burst of flavor to these luxurious scallops, making your taste buds tingle with delight.
To begin, boil a pot of water and add the samphire. After a few minutes, drain and cool in ice-cold water. For the lime pickle beurre blanc, simmer the wine, pepper, lime juice, lime pickle, and shallot until the liquid reduces by half, then strain and stir in the cream and butter. Pat the scallops dry, season, and cook in a frying pan until golden. Add a knob of butter, a squeeze of lemon, and the samphire, then let it finish cooking in the pan. Plate the scallops and samphire, spoon over the beurre blanc, and get ready to delight in this exquisite dish.

Hearty Winter Greens and Paneer Pie
Imagine this pie as the coziest of woolly jumpers in food form, filled with spicy, iron-rich greens and three types of cheese encased in crispy filo pastry. Blanch the greens, caramelize the onions, garlic, and ginger, and add them to the greens and paneer. Wrap the mixture in filo pastry, bake until golden brown, and there you have the warmest pie for your New Year’s Eve feast.

Honey and Saffron Poached Quince with Pistachio Semifreddo
To complete your banquet, indulge in a luxurious dessert. The poached quince takes a couple of hours to cook until tender and pale pink. Serve the quince and its syrup with a delightful pistachio semifreddo. You’ll feel like royalty as you savor this elegant dish – and the best part is, you don’t even need an ice-cream maker to whip it up.

So, bid farewell to the forced revelry on New Year’s Eve and welcome the year with these delectable dishes. It’s time to create new traditions and celebrate in a way that truly suits you. Happy feasting!