Whether you're counting down to the New Year at a big bash or a private do, it's always double the fun when you have some mouthwatering munchies at hand. Kiss 2008 goodbye with some of these snappy and sumptuous snacks, courtesy of Le Saigon.

Deep Fried Spring Roll
Ingredients:
Carrots - 25 g
Bean Sprouts - 10g
Onion - 100g
Coriander leaf - 10g
Chicken meat - 400g
Black pepper - 1 tsp
Ajinomoto flavour mix- 1 tsp
Sugar - 1 spoon
Salt to taste
Rice paper - 10 pcs
Method:
Chop carrots, sprouts, onion, coriander, and meat. Mix, and marinate with the spices. Halve the rice paper, and wrap the filling into finger-sized rolls. Deep fry. Serves 4-6

Fish Ball
Ingredients:
Surma fish fillets - 1/2 kg
Garlic paste - 1 tsp
Ginger - 1 tsp
Ajinamoto - 1 tsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
Black pepper - 1 tsp
White pepper - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Coriander leaf - 10 g
Cornflour - 2 tsp
Bread - 2 pcs
Crush fish and marinate with spices. Cut sections of bread and with small pinches of fish, roll into balls. Deep fry.

Fried fish cakes
Surma fish - 250g
Garlic - 1/2 tsp
Ginger - 1/2 tsp
Ajinamoto - 1 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Black pepper - 1 tsp
White pepper - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Coriander leaf - 10g
Egg - 1
Cornflour - 1 tsp
Method:
Boil the fish until it flakes easily. Drain and flake the fish with a fork. Be sure to remove all bones. Mix the flaked fish and the rest of the ingredients together well by hand.
Form the mixture into cakes and fry them on medium high heat

Shrimp mousse on sugarcane
Ingredients:
Shrimp meat -400g
Sugarcane - 6 pieces
Ajinamoto - 1 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Garlic - 1/2 tsp
Ginger - 1/2 tsp
White pepper - 1 tsp
Black pepper - 1 tsp
Salt
Coriander leaf
Cornflour 2 tsp
Method
Strain and mash the shrimp, taking care not to let any oil touch it. Mix with spices, and paste the patties around the sugarcane sticks and fry.

Stir fried Beef
Beef (undercut) - 300g
Garlic - 2 tsp
Ginger - 1 tsp
Ajinamoto - 1/2 tsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
White pepper - 1 tsp
Black pepper - 1 tsp
Red chilli - 1-3, slivered
Salt to taste
Tomato - 2
Capsicum - 2
Method:
Mix beef with spices, fry in light oil. Dice tomato and capsicum. Garnish the beef with the tomato and capsicum.

Photo: Zahedul I Khan
Special thanks to Le Saigon for arranging the photoshoot.

Party poppers!

With the holidays on, people back home from colleges, the wedding season in full swing, and elections and the New Year nigh, this month is all about back-to-back, non-stop partying, be it a huge disco at a grand five star hotel, a cosy movie night with the family, or a barbecue party on the roof or backyard. A fun party can be of any shape and size as long as it carries the true meaning of celebration- that is, having fun with the people around you. So this week, Star Lifestyle has come up with a list of ideas for all those people in need of a few tips on how to spend the perfect New Year's Eve.

The Peeps
Now what's a party without the people? The important thing is to ensure that everyone is comfortable, so when planning the guest list, make sure that you don't invite mortal enemies. If you absolutely must, and this is particularly true for sit-down dinners, seat them as far apart as possible. It pays to mix it up a little, to invite different sorts of people, so that conversation flows.

Since this is a busy season, inform your guests well ahead of the event, and try and get confirmations as soon as possible. Insist that they RSVP, so that it's easier for you to plan everything else.

Munchies
Save yourself the trouble of slaving in the kitchen by opting for quick and easy food. Chips, nuts, and other munchies served early on before the meal will ensure that you won't need to bother with a big spread for the main meal.

If you're one who enjoys good food as well as the company of those you care about then a barbecue or one-dish party might just be the answer for you. Both these themes have their highlights; at a one-dish party the brunt of the food providing load is lessened with everyone bringing in something, and similarly at a barbecue party your guests can share in on all the fun by taking turns with all the outdoor grilling, which after all, is a major part of the fun at such events.

Entertainment
Music makes for fuss-free entertainment even if you have absolutely nothing else to offer. Bring out your collection, crank up the volume on your player, and let people ride on the notes. Again, as with your guest list, mix it up a little, so that it doesn't get monotonous. If you're handy with a guitar, or have a friend who is, start a sing-along; these are an instant pick-me-up.

While bbq's and dance parties are their own entertainment, other options include getting some DVD's for a movie marathon, plugging your playstation or X-box in for some gaming fun, or, if you have the gear, a karaoke party.

Plan out these activities ahead of the party, and test out your equipment Also, if you happen to live in a small neighbourhood where everybody is like family, then you can all chip in and hold a huge gathering at the house of whoever owns the biggest yard or roof.

The last word
While you're having the time of your life, try being a little considerate about the people who live around you. Turn down the volume after midnight to let your neighbours sleep. If you plan to hit the bottle, try to keep it under control and play it safe.
A little care, a little consideration make for memories that last.

By Farina Noireet and Sabrina F Ahmad