If you thought food was just fuel, then think again. For many people, foods can have a special significance and, it’s believed, could bring you luck for the New Year. From grapes at the stroke of midnight to marzipan pigs, check out these New Year foods from around the world...

Denmark/Norway: Kransekake

This cake is called a kransekake or kransekage, depending on where it’s made, but it’s essentially a conical-shaped cake made with almonds, icing sugar and egg whites and baked in different-sized rings. Once baked, the cake rings are then placed one on top of the other and stuck together with icing, to form a tall cone. It’s served at other important family events, such as weddings, as well as at New Year.
Kransekkake © Rex

Spain: 12 grapes at midnight

If you happen to be in a Spanish bar on New Year’s Eve, you might be handed a glassful of grapes as midnight approaches. The idea is to eat one grape for every chime of the clock, counting down to the New Year. For every sweet grape you manage to eat,

Budget foods save us money. But, other than cost, what are the differences between budget and luxury  Christmas foods, besides fancy packaging? Are budget lines ever as good - or even better? Yahoo!  Lifestyle investigates...

Bacon-wrapped sausages

A traditional Christmas dinner isn't complete without some of these nestling up against slices of turkey and a few Brussels sprouts. But is it worth paying extra for a premium product?Pigs in blankets - no Christmas meal should be without them ©Rex

We found that although the luxury sausages (£3.25 for 10) tasted more peppery, the biggest difference between them was the texture. The more expensive sausages contained 86 per cent pork, and were chunkier and firmer than the cheaper, 59 per cent pork sausages (£3 for 12).

But although the luxury versions were wrapped in bacon made from higher-welfare 'outdoor-reared' pork, the thinner, fattier (and cheaper) bacon that was used for the cheaper sausage gave a more satisfyingly crisp result.

The labels also revealed that the luxury sausages contained more

Soup makes a cheap, filling and healthy meal, but it can be easy to rely on the same old favourites. We've put together 10 soup recipes to help see you through the winter. All serve 2.

Spicy Sweet Potato and Chipotle Chilli Soup
Spicy Sweet Potato and Chipotle Chilli Soup © Jo RomeroSweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin C - vital for keeping our immune systems in top condition, as well as vitamin A, which is good for our skin. This soup is spiced up with chipotle chilli paste for extra warmth.

Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
quarter tsp of chipotle chilli paste
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
400g sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly diced
400ml chicken stock
salt and pepper
single cream and chopped parsley, to serve

Method
Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan and gently fry the onion and garlic with a pinch of sea salt, until softened. Stir in the chipotle chilli paste and the diced sweet potato. Fry gently for two more minutes. Next, pour in the stock and leave to bubble for about 10-15 minutes or