Now that Christmas is over, it's time for the best part of the holiday season – the New Year's Eve party.

It's a night to be with friends, talk about the year that's ending and make some resolutions for the one ahead. New Year's Eve is a time to toast your accomplishments, refine your goals and forget about your worries … if only for one night. (Go here to check out Richmond.com's guide to New Year's Eve happenings.)

And with all that emoting, resolving and introspecting, you and your party guests are sure to work up an appetite. Luckily, we have a recipe to make your New Year's Eve party a swanky event that'll end the year in style.

ART 180, a Richmond nonprofit that teaches at-risk children to express themselves through art, has shared a recipe from its community cookbook "If You Were a Food, What Would You Be?" The Richmond cookbook features recipes and stories from ART 180 staff and volunteers and was produced entirely from donations.

Christine Wansleben, chef and owner of the Shockoe Slip cooking school Mise En Place, contributed her recipe for Toasted Walnut & Cabrales dipped Grapes. This delicious easy appetizer can be made in advance and is sure to wow your guests.

For more information on ART 180, or to purchase the cookbook, call ART 180 at 233-4180 or visit them online, art180.org.

Toasted Walnut & Cabrales dipped Grapes

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup walnuts, toasted and finely chopped
8 ounces crumbled Cabrales (Spanish blue cheese); can use Roquefort or Gorgonzola
6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
24 loose seedless red grapes

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread out walnuts on a sheet pan and toast for 7 to 9 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

In bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream together bleu cheese and cream cheese until smooth.

Place one tablespoon of the mixture around each grape and chill in a pan for 15 minutes. Roll the cheese-coated grapes in the walnut mixture to cover completely and chill for an additional 30 minutes.

Before serving, cut the grapes in half and place on serving tray. Serves 10 to 12.

w Quick Fix appears the last Thursday of every month on Richmond.com. Last time out: Banana Surprise French Toast.