New Year’s Good Luck Foods

Some countries have already rung in the New Year. Happy New Year to them. The only tradition we have is eating Chinese and playing board games on New Year’s Eve. The next day we might have a big meal or just eat left overs.
Around the world, there are many traditions for the night before and the day after. Of course, most traditions includes eating some sort of food for luck, good health or prosperity. In Spain, they eat 12 grapes at midnight. Each time the bell tolls they eat a grape which represents a month in the new year. How the month will turn out will depend on if the grape is sweet or sour. Maybe you can give it a try with your family tonight. Here are some other foods eaten around the world, that might be traditional in your family or you could start.

In Italy they eat lentils, because they look like mini coins. In the Southern US, they eat black eyed peas and collard greens for New Year’s Day, because it looks like money.
Click here on Jennifer’s Kitchen for the recipe and directions.

In Germany the pig is considered good luck. Because the pig is always moving forward and never backwards. This will help represent progress in the new year. Click here on Columbus Foodie for the recipe and direction.

This lovely cake baked in Greece is eaten on New Year’s Eve and has a hidden coin inside of it. The person that has the coin in their piece will be considered blessed for the New Year. Click here on Seemingly Greek for the recipe and meaning of the cake.

Best wishes for a safe and Happy New Year to all.

A quick, creamy breakfast with fresh fruit added on top

Smoothie bowls are one of those beautiful breakfasts that feel healthy and a little indulgent at the same time. Thick, cold, creamy, and pretty enough that you almost don’t want to eat them… almost.

The Ninja Slushie Maker takes all the effort out of it.
Instead of dealing with frozen fruit bricks or blenders that complain loudly, you simply mix your yoghurt base, chill it, and let the Ninja turn it into the perfect thick smoothie-bowl texture — no ice required.

If you are like me and come addicted to these smoothie bowls then you will want to invest in these double walled bowls, this is my favorite brand and these have been great.

Then you top it with your fresh fruit afterwards so the bowl stays thick, cold, and spoon-worthy.

It’s easy, quick, and a lovely way to start the day.

Why Yoghurt Works So Well in the Ninja Slushie Maker

Yoghurt freezes into a silky, firm slush — similar to soft-serve but healthier and lighter. Because the machine creates the icy texture itself (instead of relying on ice cubes), the mixture never becomes watery or gritty.

Just smooth, cold, creamy perfection you can decorate to your heart’s content.

The Basic Yoghurt Slush Base

Once you learn this base recipe, you can create endless flavour combinations.

Ingredients

2 cups plain or Greek yoghurt, chilled
½–1 cup milk of your choice (just enough to loosen the mixture)
1–3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Method

Stir all ingredients together until smooth.
Chill the mixture in the fridge until very cold.
Pour the chilled mixture into the Ninja Slushie Maker.
Blend on the slush setting until thick, creamy, and icy.
Spoon into a bowl and add your fruit and toppings.

This base has enough body to hold granola, berries, and nut butter without sinking.

Topping Ideas (Add These After Blending)

Fresh Fruit

Strawberries
Blueberries
Banana slices
Mango
Kiwi
Peaches

Crunchy Toppers

Granola
Toasted coconut
Chopped nuts
Cacao nibs

Extras

Honey drizzle
Peanut butter
Chia seeds
Freeze-dried fruit crumbs

Easy Flavour Variations

Berries & Cream Smoothie Bowl

Use vanilla yoghurt as your base. Top with raspberries, strawberries, and a sprinkle of granola.

Tropical Coconut Bowl

Add a splash of coconut milk to the base. Top with mango, pineapple, kiwi, and toasted coconut flakes.

Chocolate Yoghurt Bowl

Mix 1 tablespoon cocoa powder or chocolate protein powder into the base. Top with banana slices and a peanut-butter drizzle.

Meal-Prep Tip

Prepare the yoghurt base the night before and store it in small jars.
In the morning, just pour one jar directly into the Ninja Slushie Maker and you’ve got a thick, cold, ready-to-top breakfast in minutes.

Comments

Steve Holt says
June 22, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Thanks for posting! I was invited to a Chinese New Year party a few months ago. It was supposed to be some kind of potluck, and the host was upset that I didn’t bring a dish. I don’t want to make the same mistake next year since I’m friends with the family, so I want to know what dishes I should make. The information about why long noodles are eaten during the new year is really interesting. It makes sense that they signify longevity because of how long they are. Now I can see why the host didn’t give me a fork or knife for me to use to cut my noodles. If I cut them, then it would probably signify that I were cutting away at my lifeline. I’ll be sure to avoid cutting the noodles during next year’s Chinese New Year.

New Year’s Good Luck Foods

Related Posts:

How to Make Thick Yoghurt Smoothie Bowls in the Ninja Slushie Maker

Why Yoghurt Works So Well in the Ninja Slushie Maker