| Good Saturday morning, everyone. I hope you've had a week full of food, friends and family — and, of course, there's more yet to come. New Year's Eve is right around the corner, and with it might come the inevitable question of what to serve your guests while everyone waits for the clock to strike midnight. Or maybe you're like me, and have no intention of staying up late or having a ton of people over but still want to enjoy swank bites that capture the same celebratory vibes. I'm a big fan of mixing things up with nontraditional dinners pegged to whimsical themes, whether it's nachos around the Super Bowl, pumpkin for Halloween or breakfast for dinner. New Year's Eve lends itself well to the idea, too, so we pulled together a collection of fun recipes that can double as entertaining fare or a meal, on Dec. 31 or any other night. First up is Aaron Hutcherson's Spicy Tomato and Feta Dip. This saucy, punchy dish of warm cheese and practically melted cherry tomatoes could easily be a full dinner with the suggested toasted baguette slices and a nice salad. It's also the kind of thing you could put out for a party and watch everyone gather around — and not leave until it's gone. Daniela Galarza's Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls are equally irresistible. They channel the best flavors of garlic bread, with a robust dose of white pizza vibes thrown in as well. The MVP: store-bought crescent roll dough, ideal if you're short on time or confidence in your ability to make bread from scratch. It would be easy to customize these with your preferred fillings, including diced and crisped pepperoni, other types of cheese, or a thin layer of marinara. For something green to adorn your dinner or party spread, have a look at Ellie Krieger's Lettuce Cups With Maple Walnuts, Gorgonzola and Cranberries. They're basically a handheld salad, so there's no need to worry about utensils and plates, not to mention that awkward dance of trying to stand and eat while holding a drink. Feel free to take the idea and run with it, mixing up the cheese, nuts and dried fruit as you see fit. Want a few more ideas for snacky foods that can be dinner, too? Check out these recipes from our archives. As a reminder, Aaron and I are on a brief holiday hiatus from our live cooking chat, but we'll be back in the new year, with a new day and time. Beginning Jan. 8, we'll be answering your questions every Thursday at 11 a.m. Eastern. You can submit them now while they're on your mind, then return when we kick things off in real time. I'm taking a little time off, too, so look for a guest writer in this space next Saturday. Thanks for being here with us through 2025, and I'm looking forward to more time together in 2026. Happy new year, and happy cooking. | 
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