"Auld Lang Syne", a song by Scottish poet Robert Burns (meaning "old long since" or "days gone by") is often sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. There are many creative ways to fill your glass and your plate when you toast the arrival of a brand New Year! Special event planners Parties that Cook provides plenty of culinary inspiration for appetizers in their new "Sumptuous Small Plates" recipe deck (www.partiesthatcook.com).

Barbequed Oysters on the Half Shell with LEMON-HERB Relish, COCONUT-crusted Sea Scallops with MINT Chutney and Crab Quesadillas with TOMATILLO Salsa are perfect companions for champagne (www.veuve-cliquot.com).

The new "Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker" (www.margaritavillecargo.com) makes it easy to serve blended beverages to your guests, accompanied by a buffet of Chicken Skewers with spicy PEANUT sauce, Lamb Skewers with BASIL-MINT Pesto and Salt-roasted Prawns with CILANTRO-LIME aioli.

Serve icy blue HPNOTIQ (www.hpnotiq.com), in martinis featuring APPLE, CRANBERRY, PINEAPPLE or ORANGE juice, or ruby-red Pama POMEGRANATE Liqueur (www.pamaliquer.com) in Mimosas accompanied by platters of Tuna Tartare with GREEN ONIONS and GARLIC in won ton cups; SHIITAKE MUSHROOM Egg Rolls with Sake Dipping Sauce; and FENNEL and ORANGE Crusted Salmon bites.

For a pub-like atmosphere at your party, have chilled bottles of Newcastle ale (www.newcastlebrown.com) on hand to serve with Margherita Pizzas topped with TOMATO, BASIL and Burrata Cheese, Crostini topped with a SHALLOT-CRANBERRY confit and Roquefort cheese, along with ZUCCHINI and POTATO Pancakes.

POMEGRANATE 7-Up ( www.7up.com), a limited edition offering this season for those preferring a festive looking beverage with no alcohol or pots of new Saphara BLACKCURRANT Hibiscus and MANGO GINGER teas (www.sapharatea.com) will be welcome beverages to pair with Chocolate RASPBERRY soufflé cakes, COCONUT cupcakes with COCONUT cream frosting, and white Chocolate and RASPBERRY-frosted sugar cookies to savor as the old year morphs into 2008!

FRUITS THIS WEEK:

Assorted CITRUS FRUITS are among the best values in the FRUIT category this week, including RED GRAPEFRUIT from Texas and NAVEL ORANGES and SATSUMA TANGERINES from California orchards.

FUJI APPLES, a semi-tart variety great for APPLEsauce and dessert creations, are in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices. Other good APPLE values include GALA and GRANNY SMITH.

D’ANJOU PEARS, BARLETT PEARS and winter variety BOSC PEARS continue to be plentiful and excellent values.

BING CHERRIES are in steady volume with gradually decreasing prices from premium levels, among the first off-shore summer FRUIT offerings coming to market.

Prices continue moderate on BLUEBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES and RASPBERRIES, with quality excellent. Use them as a topping for pudding or cheesecake.

Large sizes of HASS AVOCADOS from Chile are increasing in volume, with prices decreasing. Add slices to bacon-LETTUCE and TOMATO sandwiches.

TOMATOES are in steady supply at moderate prices. Store at room temperature because refrigeration will cause unripened fruit to become mealy and watery.

Good selection continues on assorted NUTS in the shell, including mixed NUTS, ALMONDS, WALNUTS, PECANS and HAZELNUTS.

California PISTACHIOS are in plentiful supply and make an easy party appetizer offering.

Hawaiian PINEAPPLES are holding steady at economical prices.

ASIAN PEARS, great for snacking or adding to salads, are in steady supply with prices decreasing.

MANGOS are in plentiful supply at economical prices.

KIWIFRUIT are also abundant at very reasonable prices.

Quality is excellent and prices are economical on BROCCOLI, a good source of chromium and fiber.

CAULIFLOWER is another economical side dish choice this week. Or cook and puree with SHALLOTS, white wine, butter, chicken stock, GARLIC and cream for a delicious soup.

CRIMINI MUSHROOMS are in steady supply, fuller and meatier than their white MUSHROOM counterparts, great for slicing into salads or marinating overnight in olive oil and vinegar.

RED and GREEN LEAF LETTUCES are among the best values for salad entrees and their darker color means they are more nutritious than BIBB or ICEBERG LETTUCES.

Salad toppings in plentiful supply include GREEN ONIONS, RADISHES, CELERY, CARROTS, JICAMA, MUSHROOMS and SPROUTS.

RUSSET POTATOES are in peak supply at very reasonable prices. Other good POTATO values include RED and WHITE ROSE and GARNET YAMS.

BROWN ONIONS are in abundant supply at economical prices. Peel, cut into rings, dip in tempura batter and fry until golden, then serve with a HORSERADISH dipping sauce.

GREEN BEANS continue to be an excellent value. Trim the ends and enjoy them raw on holiday party trays with HERB dip.

JALAPENO CHILIS and TOMATILLOS are in plentiful supply, key ingredients for making zesty fresh salsa dips.

Many PRODUCE departments offer ready to serve cut VEGETABLE trays with dip, including ready to enjoy slices of CARROTS, BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER florets, CELERY and RADISHES for easy entertaining.

ORCHIDS, MUMS, MINIATURE ROSES, GARDENIA and AMARYLLIS are among the best values in blooming potted plants. ROSES, MINIATURE CARNATIONS, ASTERS and MUMS are good values in cut arrangements.

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