New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate. Many hop from party to party, and some may be lucky enough to attend the Del's main event, "Champagne by the Sea." Others like to stay in and avoid the traffic and crazy drivers. If you're one of these people, staying in doesn't have to mean frozen pizza in your pajamas. The farmers market can supply you with all the ingredients you need to make a four-star meal in the comfort of your own home.

The Main Event

Brandt Beef is located in the pit of the market. You won't be able to miss the sound of the sizzling beef and the tantalizing smell of a cooked sirloin. Ask Cathy Shank, a chef for the Brandt Beef company, for a couple of "baseball" steaks—a center cut sirloin. If that's not your thing, the company offers plenty of options, like the popular New York Strip or the melt-in-your-mouth marbled rib eye.

Shank says the secret to a perfect steak is the less-is-more philosophy. To re-create her steaks at the market, follow her simple steps for the perfect at-home steak dinner.

"Just season with kosher salt," Shank said. "Sear it two minutes on each side [in a hot pan] and then finish in a 350ºF oven for five minutes." This will give you a medium rare steak. For a medium done steak, leave in the oven for seven minutes.

Don't forget to let that steak rest! After you've taken your steak out of the oven, set it on a hot plate and loosely cover with tin foil. Leave it be for about 10 minutes while you prepare the final touches on the rest of your meal.

Add some elegance: Visit Rachel Peter over at Spring Hill Cheese for some of her creamy garlic quark. This "guilt-free" spread will melt like butter on top of your steak and add a subtle garlic flavor.

The Accompaniment

Mashed or baked potatoes are a classic companion to a juicy steak, but the market is void of any kind of potatoes. Maciel Family Farms has plenty of greens to cook up with your steaks instead, such as Swiss chard, spinach and kale. Laura Maciel's suggestion? Tatsoi.

Tatsoi is a relative of the bok choy, a Chinese cabbage. "Sauté until just wilted and serve with beef," Maciel said. I would buy one bunch per person you are cooking for and follow this easy recipe:

1. Get out a deep, wide pan and pour about a tablespoon or two of olive oil into the pan.
2. Throw in some smashed and peeled garlic gloves (about 2) and cook over medium heat until the garlic turns light brown.
3. Throw in the tatsoi and toss with tongs to evenly coat with the olive oil.
4. Cook for about a minute, covered, then toss again and cook for a minute more, or until just wilted.
5. Serve alongside the beef for a splash of color on your plate and a serious vitamin boost.

Add some elegance: Remember that quark you picked up to smother the beef in? While you're at Spring Hill Cheese get some Dry Goat Peppercorn to shave on top of your wilted greens for a salty kick.

The Finishing Touch

While there is no lava cake or luscious cheesecake locally grown and sold at the market, there are some surprising dessert choices you can find. When the clock strikes 12, and you and your sweetheart have a champagne toast, go light with some sweet almonds. Hopkins Ag has honey vanilla almonds that will satisfy your sweet tooth and keep your cholesterol in check. They also have a seasonal Mexican chocolate almond for the chocoholics.

Keep it classy with a cheese plate to nibble on after dinner with your wine and champagne. Pair cheesy favorites like Colby, white cheddar, Smoked Firehouse cheddar, and Old World Portuguese with fresh fruit such as dates, Fuji and green apples, persimmons and even olives.

Add some elegance: If the market still has some pomegranates, drop some seeds into your champagne at the stroke of midnight. Buy some Valencia oranges from Polito Farms and dip them in milk or dark chocolate for a sumptuous sweet.

You can do a one-stop shopping trip at the farmers market on Tuesday, Dec. 28, and get all the fresh ingredients you need to make your New Year's Eve at home seem like a decadent night out. A "do it yourself" dinner can make ringing in 2011 just as memorable as a night on the town.