Rock Band & Pre-New Year's Eve Party

During the holidays, I usually only host and/or attend family parties. My family likes to party so much that just being with them keeps me pretty busy during the holiday season. This year, however, has been especially difficult - that post is coming up later! - so we decided to invite some friends over for a little Rock Band party.

I spent MANY hours baking all sorts of goodies! It all started the day before with my Pumpkin Maple Pecan Cheesecake. I got this recipe from foodnetwork.com, and when I made it for the first time for Thanksgiving dinner, it was a hit!

[caption id="attachment_703" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pumpkin Maple Pecan Cheesecake"][/caption]

Here's the rest of the menu for the night:

Strawberry Jam Tarts. I got the original recipe from The Hungry Girl cookbook. It called for store-bought pie crust, but one time I couldn't find it and used puff pastry instead. I loved it!

[caption id="attachment_694" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Strawberry Jam Tarts"][/caption]

Cream Cheese Tarts. This is a mashup between the Strawberry Jam Tarts above and a Puertorrican Quesito. It has all the elements of a Quesito, but made in the same way as the Tarts.

[caption id="attachment_695" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cream Cheese Tarts"][/caption]

Homemade Pralines. This is super simple. It has dried fruits and nuts, cooked in sugar until caramelized. That's it! Great for snacking.

[caption id="attachment_696" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Homemade Pralines"][/caption]

Caprese Salad Bites. This is my cocktail-sized version of the Italian specialty. I just took fresh mozzarella balls and skewered them with grape tomatoes, drizzled in oil and herbs.

[caption id="attachment_697" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Caprese Salad Bites"][/caption]

Olive Ricotta Spread. I saw this on a Rachael Ray show on the Food Network a long time ago and wrote down the recipe. Good thing too, because I've tried to look it up on the website, and can't find it! Anyway, it tastes delicious!

[caption id="attachment_698" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Olive Ricotta Spread"][/caption]

Polvorones. These are traditional Puertorrican Christmas cookies. They're similar to Sand Tarts, but are made with almonds.

[caption id="attachment_701" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Polvorones"][/caption]

Here's the complete spread, already half-eaten.

[caption id="attachment_702" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Snacks"][/caption]

We can't forget drinks! I made Coquito, which is the Puertorrican version of the Egg Nog. It's made with Coconut Milk, Cream of Coconut, Evaporated Milk, Condensed Milk, and Rum. Since Bailey's is my absolute fave drink, I like to add chocolate and substitute the Rum for Whiskey, which are the elements in Bailey's. Salud!

[caption id="attachment_706" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Bailey's Coquito"][/caption]

We had a blast playing Rock Band, mainly the Beatles songs. Here's the team hard at work.

[caption id="attachment_699" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Rock Band Team"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_700" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Rock Band Team"][/caption]

Even lil man got in on the action! He had a great time, especially since he got to stay up late.

[caption id="attachment_693" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Lil man and his guitar"][/caption]

I hope this is the beginning of many Rock Band parties. We had a blast!