Celebrate New Year's Eve for One!

Who says spending New Year's Eve alone should be sad, lonely and boring? Tisk tisk!

This year is my first spent alone and I am taking full advantage of making it all about ME! and food, Of course. He he!

I went shopping in the afternoon to spoil myself with a new festive red sweater and some PJs to snuggle up in on the sofa while watching the ball drop and drinking champagne. Can't wait! Who says one cannot enjoy some sparkly on their own? Tisk tisk!

I've bought lovely foods to create my own New Year's Eve 3 course dinner....that's right, a 3 course dinner. Who says one cannot eat a 3 course dinner on their own? Tisk tisk!

I put on some music, got out my groceries and danced the night away while making and eating my 2010 New Year's Eve dinner.

For starter I prepared Cream Cheese Smoked Salmon Swirls

So simple and such a tasty and impressive party pleaser.

Lay out a wide strip of smoked salmon, spread with plain cream cheese, sprinkle with plenty of dill and a dash of celery salt. Then simply roll. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and chill for about 30 minutes, then slice the long smoked salmon roll with a sharp knife into little circles.

As my main I prepared Sirloin Steak with Mushroom Sauce, Grilled Zucchini and Roasted Potatoes. This is very similar to the steak meal I posted here, except the mushroom sauce I made this time had no wine and was made much more indulgently with double cream and more butter. Everything tastes better with more butter!! - blissfully sinful :-)

TOP TIP: I have learned a trick to making the most magical roasted potatoes; Firstly, the best potatoes are 'desire', secondly, using goose fat is amazing for flavour! Heat the fat to be very hot before adding the potatoes. But the third trick which adds the most amazing crunch, I saw it on Nigella Lawson's Christmas show... coat the potatoes with semolina flour. It really does make a huge difference!

And finally, for dessert I created a beautiful Blackberry and Mascarpone Tower.

I used a bottomless ring lined with baking paper to form the tart.

I had some shortbread cookies left and some lady fingers. I crushed these together and mixed with some melted butter to make the tower's crust base.

The next layer was some slightly mashed blackberries and honey.

The top layer was a mixture of 3/4 mascarpone, 1/4 lemon curd yoghurt and half a tsp of vanilla extract.

I placed it into the fridge for an hour then removed the ring and baking paper to dig in!! OMG! Yum!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL!