Critique my new years menu please...

[Springisintheairohyeah]

I posted previously asking for input to New Years day extended family meal. Loads of great ideas - this is what I ended up with.

Would love to hear your thoughts? Does it sound okay? Anything missing? Maybe a green element with the main? Worried both main accompaniments might be quite sweet?

This will be a sort of help yourself/hot buffet thing...

Nibbles on arrival

• marinated olives
• some sort of pitta chips and dips (feta, red pepper etc.)

Main

• sumac spiced chicken thighs/salmon fillets/plus **either halloumi or hassleback carrots/aubergine (to accommodate mix of dietary requirements, but all cooked in the same type of marinade)
• Parsnip gratin with dukkah sprinkle
• Spiced red cabbage with pomegranate mollasses

Dessert

• Passion fruit pavlova
• champagne and rhubarb jellies
• Mini dark chocolate and crystallised ginger shortbreads

Sounds delicious - lucky guests! Although I agree that you might want something green with it (although I always feel the need to have greens with my meals much to my DP's dismay).

This is a great recipe which I reckon would go well with your Moroccan/Middle Eastern flavours:

www.mymoroccanfood.com/home/bakoula-with-spinach-and-kale

That's a lovely recipe - I think the combination of green/lemon/olives would be a nice contrast to everything else

There's quite a bit of spice in your mains. My mum (early 80s) finds, in recent years, that any spicy flavour upsets her stomach. Just worth a thought in case any of your guests might be sensitive to strong flavours and need a more "gentle' option.

All sounds lovely otherwise!

I agree about needing something green, and a bit plainer, I wouldn't eat either of those sides as parsnips and braised red cabbage are the two parts of a Christmas dinner that I really don't like.

Could you go for plain chocolate on the shortbread, not everyone likes mint (me again!) but even if I did I think it's a bit much with the ginger.

Sounds fabulous, I like everything expect the passion fruit pavlova, but that might just be my individual taste. Seems a touch summery, I’d prefer a wintry pudding like trifle or sticky toffee.

Definitely I didn't know who was coming but they'll all be up for a bit of spice I think (Indian restaurant is our usual alternative)

That was mini, not mint. Good point about sides though - I love both of those things but maybe not everyone's cup of tea. Might add some flatbreads or cous cous as a safer option

I actually don't like pavlova myself to be honest. Just seems like something that other people find popular. I was thinking about doing a lemon posset instead - again, quite summery I guess

Sounds lovely, but agree with you on the 'too sweet' sides. Especially with the carrots.

I would add some steamed tenderstem broccoli to the main. Just for a bit of colour. I agree a flat bread may also be nice.