Here we have fun, striking and super quick mini accompaniments to your New Year Party (Eve or Day), cocktail gathering or simply an impromptu get-together. These impressive little ditties go together in a flash, taste AMAZING and aren’t they just simply adorable?! Miniatures with maximum flavors…

Ingredients:

1 pt. grape tomatoes, halved

10 to 14 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, cut into thirds

32 (4-inch) wooden skewers**

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

6 thinly sliced fresh basil leaves plus 32 whole

Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Balsamic glaze for drizzling.

Directions:

Thread 1 tomato half, 1 piece of cheese, basil leaf and another tomato half onto each skewer. Place skewers in a shallow serving dish.

Whisk together oil and next 3 ingredients. Drizzle oil mixture over skewers; sprinkle with basil and salt and pepper to taste. Serve side by side on a serving platter and drizzle with balsamic glaze. They look great served in a brandy snifter too.

*1 (8-oz.) package fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, may be substituted.

**Wooden picks may be substituted.

Margarita Shrimp Cocktail Shots

Baby Chicken & Waffles

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups buttermilk

1/3 cup butter, melted

2 large eggs

12 to 16 fried chicken breast tenders, cut into bite-size pieces

Maple Syrup

Garnish: thinly sliced green onions

Directions:

**For a QUICK Version, make square waffles in a conventional waffle maker and cut in fourths. OR (shhhh) buy the toaster versions and do the same.

Stir together first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk together buttermilk and next 2 ingredients in a small bowl; stir buttermilk mixture into flour mixture just until combined.

Cook batter in a preheated, oiled mini-style waffle iron 3 1/2 to 4 minutes or until golden (about 1/2 Tbsp. batter per waffle). Top waffles with chicken, top with another waffle, drizzle with maple syrup and scatter with chopped green onions.