To say that embellishment is pricey is an understatement: The Nectar Imperial magnum, $86.99 in its unadorned state, came to $249.95 with the application of crystals. Frankly, we’d rather have two more magnums of Champagne—hold the crystals. But if money is no object in your household and you’d like to hand out keepsake party favors at your New Year’s Eve bash, head over to MyMoet.com.

Our favorite of the three flavors is Roasted Garlic & Herb, tasting like enormous, crunchy garlic croutons. Rosemary & Sea Salt takes second place, although the sea salt does make this flavor, well, best for those who like things on the salty side. The Quattro Formaggio, which everyone wanted to open first, delivered the least flavor.

There’s a store locator on the website; you can find them at Costco, Sam’s Club and major chains. For more information visit NewYorkStyle.com.

See THE NIBBLE’s Bread Section for our favorite bread, crackers and other carbalicious treats.
Zip through our Bread Glossary: it’s a paean to the world’s great breads.
Check out our favorite snacks in THE NIBBLE’s Snacks Section.
For a great crunchy snack with reduced fat and calories, get Popchips potato chips. Can’t beat ‘em.

–Cranberry-Marinated Rack Of Lamb With Almond Wild Rice
–Guinness-Roasted Leg Of Lamb
–Maple And Apple Braised Lamb Shoulder Chops
–Thai-Curried Lamb Shanks With Cilantro Rice

To learn more about the different cuts of lamb, visit our Lamb Glossary.

It won’t be hard to “fare la scarpetta” with this charming line of spreads and dips from Sauces n Love, a NIBBLE Top Pick Of The Week for their superb pasta sauces. Amid all of that not-so-good-for-you holiday food, these vegetable purées are healthy (veggies, extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt), versatile (as a dip, sauce, spread, general condiment or garnish) and easy (open the jar, spoon it out). For those with food restrictions, they’re vegan, gluten free, low sodium and have no added sugar.

The five authentic Italian recipes include Artichoke & Olive, Asparagus, Olive & Almond, Red Pepper & Eggplant and Spicy Red Pepper. Read more about them, and about how we used them to create more flavorful and glamorous food almost instantly, in the full review.

–Spicy Steamed Mussels, paired with an American sour wheat or farmhouse ale.

-For the fish course, Wood-Grilled Trout With Mission Fig Compound Butter is delicious with an India Pale Ale or an amber ale.

-Kebabs are always fun, and these Pear & Lamb Kebabs With Harpoon Winter Warmer-Rosemary Pan Sauce are wonderful with a seasonal winter ale like Harpoon, or a highly hopped brown ale.

-For those whose palates demand beef, Indonesian Beef Rendang, spiced with ginger, tumeric and coriander, calls out for Spiced ale or imperial brown ale.

-But there’s still dessert—heavenly Vermont Maple Syrup- and Porter-Poached Apples. What beer to drink with it? Porter, of course!

We plan to serve this dinner on New Year’s Eve. See the many different types of beer in THE NIBBLE’s Beer Glossary—you can print it out, cut up the definitions, and turn it into a game, and every time someone can’t correctly define one of the beer terms, he or she doesn’t get to take another sip!