Recipes

[qvc chick]

Help!  I am having a Christmas party next week and I need some easy festive appetizers.

I usually do a Charcuterie board and also Bruchetta.  But I think eveyone is getting bored.

Need something easy but looks festive!!  PLEASE no seafood.

Thanks!

[Calibeach]

I've pinned this recipe. Looks so festive and it's easy to create

Grinch Charcuterie Board

 

Ingredients

• Cheddar cheese
• Sliced green olives with pimientos
• Green grapes
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Sweet red pepper
• Fresh mozzarella cheese pearls
• Sliced pepperoni
• Summer sausage

Directions

Cut cheddar cheese into two eye shaped pieces. Place onto large serving platter or cutting board.

 

Place a slice of green olive with pimento over cheddar.

 

Arrange green grapes into a Grinch face shape around eyes.

 

Place two large sprigs of rosemary for eyebrows, and thin slices of red pepper for the mouth.

 

Use a rounded piece of red pepper for the nose.

 

Arrange mozzarella pearls over top of grapes for Santa hat band.

 

Layer pepperoni over mozzarella pearls to create a hat shape.

 

Fill remainder of platter with sausage or salami, as desired.

[lgfan]

You can make mini sandwiches and use cookie cutters to make them look festive.

[Calibeach]

Bacon Cheese Wreath

Ingredients

• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions, optional
• 10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• Optional: Italian parsley sprigs and diced pimientos
• Assorted crackers

Directions

 In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese and, if desired, onions. Stir in bacon. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Invert a small bowl in the center of a serving platter. Drop cream cheese mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls around edge of bowl. Remove bowl. Smooth cream cheese mixture, forming a wreath. Garnish with parsley and pimientos if desired. Serve with crackers.

[on the bay]

@qvc chick

"Grilled" kale chips are really good.

kale -oil, sea salt 

bake at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes or whenever slightly browned and crispy.

note:

make sure kale is completely dry before baking.

just sprinkle with the oil (extra virgin olive oil is good!), don't drench the kale.

display them in a Christmas tree shape or in a Christmasy plate.

My mother always made these and so does one of my daughters. Even people who are not fond of vegetables seem to love these

Also baked brie is so good. Served with crackers or toasted bread or pita. You can decorate the plate with sprigs of green and red- tomatoes or berries- something like that. You could make the brie a snowman too!

  Sweet and sour meatballs.

[Calibeach]

I also pinned this recipe. Looks so pretty! You can just serve it with a bowl of ranch dip/dressing if you don't want to make the cream cheese dip.

Snow Pea Holiday Wreath

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound fresh snow peas, strings removed
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 2 cups grape tomatoes

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add snow peas; cook, uncovered, just until crisp-tender and bright green, 1-2 minutes. Drain and immediately drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry.

In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, garlic powder and seasoned salt. Place bowl in the center of a serving platter. Arrange snow peas and tomatoes around the bowl.

[Q-Checker]

(1)The very, very easiest:

Top a large block of cream cheese with (festive looking) layer of red or green pepper jelly with crackers on the side.

(2) Easy, very well-liked cheese ball:

1# mild cheddar cheese, shredded (can buy already shredded to save time)

1 medium onion, chopped (can buy already chopped to save time)

1 cup pecans,chopped (can buy already chopped to save time)

1 cup mayonnaise

Sliced black olives or pimiento strips (optional decorative topping)

Mix all together and mound into ball on serving plate. Crackers on the side.

[AuntG]

@Q-Checker I bought red pepper jelly specifically for that purpose last year, and never go around to making it! Will get to it this holiday.

[ThinkingOutLoud]

Although they're cute, things like wreaths and themed char. boards lose the look pretty quickly so do a relish tray with items that are red, green or white:

 - grapes

 - apple slices

 - peppers 

 - cherry tomatoes

 - broccoli

 - celery

 - cucumbers

 - green olives

 - pickles

 - radishes

 - cauliflower

 - ranch dip

[msgb]

If you can google or search for Little smokies Christmas Wreath this is an easy and cute appetizer. I have tried to print but am unable. There are a number of versions. But I do a quick and easy version. Essentially three-four ingredients and then mustard for dipping if wanted.