Menu for a New Year

Well, here we are...
It has again been months since I last posted. This reminds me of the diary I used to keep as a little girl: months of absence, then obsession, then back to neglect.

Ahem.

So, my Xmas is going to be a bit of a downer this year. Working + no family + friends all going home = sad season. But I've decided to throw my holiday spirit into a New Year's Eve meal with new friends. I'm going out on a limb here considering my biggest entertaining fear is that I'll throw a party and no one will come but nevertheless, I'm hoping for about 14 people. I've had to relinquish some of the meal to friends but that's good practice for my control issues, right? Anyway, here's the menu:

Hummus with smoked paprika
Toasted pita chips and cucumber coins
Baked samosas with mint/cilantro chutney
Falafel with tahini sauce and raita
Fennel pilaf
"Indian" soup with chicken (this is the dish that's been delegated)
Mango with lime

...and...

Dessert. Which I couldn't decide on. My friend suggested something light, like fruit (hence the mango) but I feel like people could probably use something small and sweet. So, my big idea is to take a family recipe for "Butter Balls" (akin to mexican wedding cookies or russian tea cakes) and divide the dough. In one half I'm going to add cardamom and pistachio and in the other, vanilla and rosewater. I'm really excited to try this out. I imagine that they'll be delicate little mouthfuls, melting on the tongue and releasing their exotic flavors. Cross your fingers that it works...especially since I'm trying to woo someone with my cooking that night. :)

Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year!