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Mediterranean Appetizers and a Lucky New Year’s Cake

December 29, 2024 by Marilena Leavitt 1 Comment

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Mediterranean Appetizers

and a Lucky New Year’s Cake

Mediterranean Appetizers

Whether you are planning a quiet evening with your family this year or hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration, you most probably have started thinking about what to make for this special occasion.

This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a variety of small appetizers and finger foods! I have put together a list of favorite recipes to help you with your planning.  These recipes are simple, flavorful, and easy to put together—I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Mediterranean Appetizers for your New Year’s Eve celebration

  1. Delicious Marinated Olives

A delicious bowl of well-seasoned, marinated olives is always a great idea for entertaining. This easy recipe will convert even those who are not too enthusiastic about olives to true olive lovers!

How to marinate olives

2.  Puff Pastry Parmesan Cheese Straws

These four-ingredient puff pastry Parmesan Cheese straws are crispy, flaky, savory and delicious. They are the perfect addition to any holiday buffet!

Puff Pastry Parmesan Cheese Straws

3. Pomegranate Glazed Sausage Bites

This simple recipe is a real crowd pleaser and they always disappear first at cocktail parties.  Jacques Pépin says that he enjoys these luscious hors d’oeuvres with drinks before dinner and I could not agree more.

pomegranate glazed sausage bites

4.  Smoked Salmon Tartines

These mini smoked salmon tartines are elegant, healthy and super flavorful bite-size treats that are so easy to assemble.

smoked salmon tartines

5.  Filo-Wrapped Brie with Pistachios & Jam

Creamy, slightly tangy Brie cheese enclosed in layers of buttery, crispy filo pastry, topped with your favorite fruit preserves, pistachio nuts and pomegranate arils make for a winning sweet and savory combination!

baked brie with fruit preserves and nuts

6.  Crostini with Whipped Feta & Roasted Tomatoes 

Crostini with Whipped Feta and Roasted Tomatoes is a wonderful appetizer that adds Greek flavors to this classic Italian dish.  It is perfect for entertaining as you can have all the components made ahead of time, so you and your guests can have fun assembling them together!

crostini with whipped feta

7.  Feta Wrapped in Crispy Filo

This is a personal favorite:  These bite-sized treats combine cubes of salty Feta enclosed in crispy filo, baked until golden brown.  Once they are out of the oven, a drizzle of warm honey balances the saltiness of the Feta and rounds up the flavors!  Serve them still warm, topped with a sprinkle of black and white sesame seeds, and watch them disappear.

Easy Feta bites wrapped in filo

8.  Homemade Creamy Yogurt Cheese (Labneh)

Labneh is a creamy, tangy, Middle Eastern spread made with strained plain yogurt and served with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of za’atar spice or chopped fresh herbs over the top.  It is often referred to as “yogurt cheese” and it is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, the way tzatziki is in Greek cuisine.

How to make Labneh

9.  Irresistible Spicy Crostini

The recipe for the most irresistible spicy crostini is one of my favorite appetizer recipes of all time. I loved these in-between-meal snacks and the concept of bite-size treats, served on slices of grilled bread. It came from the first Italian cookbook I ever owned, “Italy in Small Bites, by the late Carol Field.

Irresistible Crostini

10.  Lucky New Year’s Cake (Vasilopita)

Every year, at midnight on New Year’s Eve, families in Greece serve this simple, orange-infused cake to celebrate the arrival of the new year. It is a delicious cake, with a special coin hidden inside. This is a tradition that dates back centuries to honor St. Basil, whose Name Day falls on the 1st of January. The person who finds it will have the best of luck for the year ahead!

New Year's Cake (vasilopita)

✨ Wishing you all a Healthy, Prosperous, and Creative New Year! ✨

Thank you all for following my blog, for experimenting with my recipes, and for taking the time to leave your thoughtful comments this year!

Your support for my blog is greatly appreciated, please consider reviewing and rating my recipes!

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Recipe Roundups Tagged With: appetizers, Greek New year's cake, holiday appetizers, mediterranean appetizers, Mediterranean Small Bites, small bites

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Marilena Leavitt

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Grilled lamb patties with tzatziki, juicy roasted Grilled lamb patties with tzatziki, juicy roasted mini peppers and homemade fries cooked in olive oil! 🤗 Rich, well-seasoned, and with assertive Mediterranean flavors, this is a favorite family meal, perfect for grilling season! 💯👩🏻‍🍳🍷
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✨Recipe linked in profile! ✨
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#lamb #grilledmeat #americanlamb  #bbq #greekfood #greekrecipes #grillingseason #allrecipes #lambpatties #Mediterraneandiet #food #fromscratch #yummyfood #greekfoodblogger #thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed #ilovefood @thefeedfeed #homecooking #comfortfood #huffposttaste #greekchef #hautecuisines #gastronomia #buzzfeast #eatrealfood  #photooftheday #yummyfood #realfood #onthetable #marilenaskitchen
Easy puff pastry bundles with fresh asparagus, goa Easy puff pastry bundles with fresh asparagus, goat cheese and honey drizzle 💚 These delicious mini treats can be assembled ahead of time and are perfect for any spring gathering and celebration!😋💚
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✨Recipe linked in bio and on my blog [marilenaskitchen.com]✨
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Classic French Niçoise salad with tuna 🥗a deli Classic French Niçoise salad with tuna 🥗a delicious dish from Nice on France's Mediterranean coast! ☀️ Simple, seasonal ingredients and a zesty lemon dressing, this vibrant salad is a great choice for a light, warm-weather meal. So good! 😋
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👩🏻‍🍳 New recipe on the blog [marilenaskitchen.com], linked in profile! 👩🏻‍🍳
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#salad #nicoisesalad #eatingwell #wholefoodnutrition #eattherainbow #fromscratch #goodmoodfood #thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed @thefeedfeed #droolclub #healthygood #myfoodphotography #eatrealfood  #makeitdelicious #photooftheday #yummyfood #realfood #eattheworld  #foodphotography #foodiesfeed #heresmyfood #chefsofinstagram #marilenaskitchen
Mini filo tartlets with almond custard and fresh b Mini filo tartlets with almond custard and fresh berries 🍓A delightful springtime dessert that is light, seasonal, and elegant at the same time 🌼 Crispy filo layers form the base, with a delicious almond pastry cream custard, fresh strawberries and toasted almonds on top - so delicious! 🍓
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A new recipe in collaboration with my friends at @fillofactory 
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✨You can find this recipe on the blog [marilenaskitchen.com], linked also in bio! ✨
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#springdessert #strawberries #tarts #baking @fillofactory #bakingtime #sweettreats #bakingfromscratch #dessert #bakingwithfruit #fillofactory #Easterdessert #bakedwithlove #mothersdaydessert #fromscratch #thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed @thefeedfeed #comfortfood #huffposttaste #gastronomia #eatrealfood  #photooftheday #yummyfood #easybake #onthetable #foodphotography #marilenaskitchen
Braided Mini Greek Sweet Rolls - the smaller versi Braided Mini Greek Sweet Rolls - the smaller versions of the traditional Greek Easter bread (tsoureki), a bread that everyone makes for Easter in Greece! 🧡 It is a brioche-like, slightly sweet, yeasted bread made using eggs, milk, and butter. 🧡 A delicious breakfast bread, the perfect accompaniment to a hot cup of coffee or tea! 🧡☕️ 🫖☕️
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✨ New recipe on the blog, linked in profile and in stories 👩🏻‍🍳✨
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#breadrolls #bread #Greekbread #Easterbread #tsoureki @kingarthurbaking #braidedbread #fromscratch #thefeedfeed #bakingathome #feedfeedbaking #foodblogfeed #makeitdelicious @thefeedfeed #foodstyling #droolclub #myfoodphotography #buzzfeast #foodfluffer #foodphotographer #photooftheday #yummyfood #realfood #sweetreats #foodphotography #foodiesfeed #heresmyfood #thebakefeedfeed #marilenaskitchen 

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Crisp Spring Salad with a refreshing Greek yogurt Crisp Spring Salad with a refreshing Greek yogurt dressing: seasonal, bright and tender vegetables that pair so well with this delicious, creamy dressing! So, so good! 🥗🥬🥒🌿
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🌿Recipe linked in bio & on the blog: [Marilenaskitchen.com]👩🏻‍🍳🌿
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#springsalad #summersalads #vegetarian #healthyrecipes #salad #homemadefood #instagood #greekdish #mediterraneandiet #yogurtdressing #greekfoodblogger #yummyfood #mygreektable #thefeedfeed #mediterraneanliving #huffposttaste #yahoofood #bonappetitmag #buzzfeedfood #epicurious #feedyoursoul #dailyfoodfeed #eathealthy #eattherainbow 
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Crispy spiral filo pie with spinach, artichokes, s Crispy spiral filo pie with spinach, artichokes, shallots, fresh herbs and Feta cheese 🌿🌀 A delicious spring recipe inspired by the classic Greek spanakopita. Wholesome, flavorful vegetarian dish, perfectly crispy and flaky in every bite! 🌿
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🌿This is a new recipe, in collaboration with my friends at @fillofactory 
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🌿 Recipe linked in profile and on my blog [Marilenaskitchen.com] 👩🏻‍🍳
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#savorybaking #filo #filopastry  #appetizer @fillofactory #bakingtime #fromscratch #thefeedfeed #spinachpower #bakingathome #feedfeedbaking #foodblogfeed #fillofactory #makeitdelicious @thefeedfeed #foodstyling #droolclub #myfoodphotography #buzzfeedfood #buzzfeast #foodphotographer #photooftheday #yummyfood #realfood #eattheworld  #foodphotography #foodiesfeed #heresmyfood #thebakefeedfeed #marilenaskitchen
My favorite orange almond cake, made with almond f My favorite orange almond cake, made with almond flour and semolina flour. 🍊🍊 A super moist, not too sweet “snack cake”, with a great nutty flavor and a pronounced citrus flavor. So, so good, perfect with a cup of coffee and a great treat to have around the house for anytime of the day! 🍊🍊
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✨Recipe linked in profile, and on my blog [Marilenaskitchen.com] ✨
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#orangecake #coffeecake @kingarthurflour #bakelove #dessertsofinstagram #snackcake #mediterraneancuisine #bakefromscratch #fromscratch #greekfoodblogger #almondcake #thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed #droolclub #thecookfeed #thebakefeed #makeitdelicious @thefeedfeed #f52food #comfortfood #huffposttaste #hautescuisines #gastronomia #buzzfeast #eatrealfood  #photooftheday #yummyfood #realfood #onthetable #allrecipes #foodphotography
Creamy Hummus with Crispy Homemade Pita Chips: a d Creamy Hummus with Crispy Homemade Pita Chips: a delicious and healthy recipe, full of good plant-based protein and fiber, a staple in the Mediterranean diet! ✨💯😋
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✨New recipe on my site [marilenaskitchen.com], linked in bio!✨👩🏻‍🍳
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Ingredients:
1 15 oz. can chickpeas, rinsed, drained, and with their skin removed
2-3 cloves garlic
¼ cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
3 TBSP. fresh lemon juice
pinch of ground cumin
pinch of Cayenne pepper (optional)
½ tsp. sea salt
⅓ cup ice-cold water 
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(Full recipe on my site)
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#hummusrecipe #pitachips #homemadepitachips #savoryfood #easydips #partyfood #gamesnacks  #appetizerideas #bluezoneskitchen #Mediterraneandiet #fromscratch #foodandwine #thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed #comfortfood #huffposttaste #gastronomia #buzzfeast #homemade #eatrealfood  #photooftheday #yummyfood #snack #foodphotography
Tiropitakia - traditional Greek filo triangles fil Tiropitakia - traditional Greek filo triangles filled with Feta cheese and a tiny amount of spearmint 💙✨Crispy filo layers and sharp Greek Feta, such a delicious flavor and texture combination! 😋 Nobody can resist this favorite Greek snack! ✨💙🇬🇷
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✨Full recipe on my site [marilenaskitchen.com], linked in bio!✨👩🏻‍🍳
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~ INGREDIENTS:

• ½ lb. Greek feta cheese, crumbled
• ½ lb. ricotta cheese (full fat) or Greek anthotiro (if you can find it)
•1 large egg, beaten
• ¼-½ tsp. sea salt
• ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
• ½ lb. filo dough, thawed
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, for brushing on the filo 
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Cold, winter Sundays call for comfort food: oven-r Cold, winter Sundays call for comfort food: oven-roasted chicken with small red potatoes and lots of fresh lemon and garlic! A super simple and delicious recipe! ✨😋👌
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✨Full recipe on my site [marilenaskitchen.com], linked in bio!✨
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#roastedchicken #sundaydinners #comfortfood #chickenrecipes #familymeals #buttermilkchicken @ciaosamin #saltfatacidheatcookbook
Light as a cloud vegetable frittata with lots of F Light as a cloud vegetable frittata with lots of Fontina cheese, a delicious dish - not only for breakfast or weekend brunch, but also for those busy weeknight evenings!  So, so good! 😋🌶️🌿🧀 🍠
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✨Full recipe up on my site [marilenaskitchen.com], linked in bio!✨
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#frittata #breakfastrecipes #savorybreakfast #brunchtime #fromscratch #thefeedfeed #bakingathome #myfoodphotography #mediterraneandiet #makeitdelicious #photooftheday #realfood #eattheworld  #foodphotography #thebakefeedfeed #marilenaskitchen
Mini filo quiches with salmon and chives: a delici Mini filo quiches with salmon and chives: a delicious and easy holiday appetizer! A box of good quality filo shells, some smoked salmon, and a simple custard of eggs & cream is all you need to make these flavorful little savory bites! 🥂🎄😋
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🎄A new recipe in collaboration with my friends at @fillofactory🎄
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✨You can find this recipe on the blog [marilenaskitchen.com], also linked in stories!✨
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#appetizerideas #holidayappetizer #brunchideas #filoappetizer #savorybaking @fillofactory #bakingtime #filodough #greekfoodlovers #fillofactory #bakedwithlove #greekgastronomy #bluezoneskitchen #Mediterraneandiet #fromscratch #foodandwine #thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed @thefeedfeed #comfortfood #huffposttaste #hautecuisines #gastronomia #buzzfeast #todayfood #eatrealfood  #photooftheday #yummyfood #greektreats #filorecipes #onthetable #foodphotography
A delicious holiday appetizer: four-ingredient Puf A delicious holiday appetizer: four-ingredient Puff Pastry Parmesan Cheese Straws with fresh rosemary and sesame seeds! ✨😋 Crispy and flaky, savory and so flavorful, they are the perfect addition to a holiday buffet and any charcuterie board! ✨🧡💯
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This new recipe is a collaboration with my friends at @fillofactory 🧡
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✨Find the recipe on the blog [marilenaskitchen.com], linked also in bio! ✨
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#cheesestraws #puffpastryrecipes #appetizerrecipe #vegetarianappetizer #savorybaking @fillofactory #bakingtime #greekfoodlovers #fillofactory #bakedwithlove #bluezoneskitchen #Mediterraneandiet #fromscratch #foodandwine #thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed @thefeedfeed #comfortfood #huffposttaste #hautecuisines #gastronomia #buzzfeast #todayfood #eatrealfood  #photooftheday #yummyfood #greektreats #filorecipes #onthetable #foodphotography #marilenaskitchen
Delicious Greek meatballs, creamy tzatziki and red Delicious Greek meatballs, creamy tzatziki and red onion slivers, ready to be wrapped in toasted pita bread! An all-time favorite family meal! 😋🥙 💙🇬🇷
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✨Recipe linked in profile! 👩🏻‍🍳✨
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#Greekmeatballs #keftedakia #greekcuisine #comfortfood #instagood #greekdish #mediterraneandiet #greekfoodblogger #yummyfood #mygreektable #thefeedfeed  #mediterraneanliving #huffposttaste #yahoofood #bonappetitmag #yummyfood #weeknightmeals #buzzfeedfood #epicurious #feedyoursoul #dailyfoodfeed #saveurmag #appetitejournal #allrecipes #marilenaskitchen
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