Do you have any New Year’s Eve traditions? Any plans? Do you stay in or go out? Are you even up when the clock strikes midnight?
I have to admit New Year’s is not my favorite holiday. While there is the hope of a new year, there is also sadness for the one past. It is gone from our grasp, never to come back. It taunts me with the things I didn’t get done. The things I wish I could have accomplished. The dreams that didn’t come true. Another year, come and gone.
By then the ball drops and there’s nothing I can do but go to bed, get some rest, and wake refreshed and ready for a new year with all the same possibilities of the last and hope for more success in accomplishing them.
I tend to stay in. New Year’s is a rowdy time with people celebrating for more than they should, so home is a safer, more relaxing space.
But I do have one tradition. I eat 12 grapes, which are supposed to represent luck for each month of the New Year.
Okay, so you’re supposed to do it at midnight, but by then my retainers are in and my eyes are starting to close. I figure after dinner works just as well. Luck doesn’t have a timeline.
This year, I wanted to make the grapes a little more special. My Lucky New Year’s Grapes would be perfect for dessert or to serve on a cheese plate. They are easy and fun to make, gluten free, and absolutely delicious.
The grape has a burst of juice when you bite into it, while the carob or chocolate starts to melt when it hits your tongue, and then there is the crunch of the almonds. I already feel lucky eating these grapes!
However you spend New Year’s Eve, I hope luck finds its way into 2016 for all of us!
Lucky New Year’s Grapes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 16 grapes 1x
Ingredients
- 16 red or green grapes, washed
- About 5 ounces carob or dark chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
- ¾ cup Blue Diamond Honey Roasted Almonds, finely chopped
Instructions
- Dry the grapes very well. If they are wet, the carob or chocolate will not stick.
- Melt the carob or dark chocolate chips with the shortening in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between.
- Dip a grape in the carob or chocolate to coat roughly half of it. Dip immediately into the chopped almonds and then place on parchment to set. Repeat with all the grapes.
- Grapes may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
Recipe may be easily doubled or tripled
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds.
I’ve never seen dipped grapes like this! They make another alternative to chocolate covered strawberries 🙂 What a unique sweet treat! Happy New Year!
Thanks, Melanie! Happy New Year to you as well 🙂
Scott was looking over my shoulder and said those look so good! Yes, let’s have a great 2016! Happy New Year, Laura!
Thanks, Debbie! Happy New Year to you as well!
Oh what a great tradition! We don’t have any traditions on New Year’s other than staying awake until the ball drop but would love to start one. We always stay in and can’t deal with the crazy drivers on the road lol! Happy New Year friend and I hope 2016 is brighter and better 🙂
Yeah, pretty much once the ball drops, I’m ready for bed. I actually record the rest of the action so I don’t miss any great performances 🙂 Happy New Year, Zainab!
Dear Laura, I love this tradition. We stay in too. One place I do not want to be on New Year’s Eve is on the roads with partiers. I love how you dressed up these grapes so simply! Delicious and a sign of good things to come in the New Year. Cheers!
I don’t want to be on the roads either. Thanks, Allie, and Happy New Year!
We’re going to a party this year but it’s unusual for us. I don’t usually like going out on NYE because I don’t trust other drivers. The grapes sound tasty! Don’t focus on regret, take the bull by the horns and be like “2016, you’re my bitch. I’m going to OWN YOU and we’re making things happen.”
This is exactly the comment I needed. I am going to make 2016 my bitch!!!