I would make lots of simple, pretty, and home-y appetizers.
Here are a few tried and true recipes I would recommend. I'm not promising a balanced menu; there are no veggies on here! But this should give you a few ideas to add to your Christmas season.
You're sure to find some of the usual characters, like Paula and Ree. What can I say? I stick with what works. :-) I have also thrown in some family recipes.
Please prepare yourself for a very long post FULL of recipes. I may not be publishing as many posts on here but when I do they are long!
Brie en Croute
paula deen
image by barefoot kitchen witch
Please don't be intimidated by the fancy name. This is very easy, not many people make it, and it tastes amazing. You may notice an overall cheese theme to these foods! :-) This is the only recipe I am suggesting that needs to be made in the oven right before your party.
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, Peppridge Farm
1 T unsalted butter
1/2 C walnuts
1/8 t ground cinnamon
1 (8-ounce) wheel Brie
1/4 C brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
Crackers, Pears, Red Grapes for serving
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Defrost puff pastry for at least an hour. This is probably the trickiest part of the recipe. You need it to still be cold so that it's flaky when baked but not warm and mushy.
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Saute the walnuts in the butter until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes. Add the cinnamon and stir until walnuts are coated well. Place the walnut mixture on top of the Brie and sprinkle the brown sugar over the mixture. Lay the puff pastry out on a flat surface. {I recommend doing this on the sheet pan you will bake it on.} Place the brie in the center of the pastry. Gather up the edges of the pastry, pressing around the brie and gather at the top. Gently squeeze together the excess dough and twist. Paula Deen recommends using kitchen twine but who wants an extra step! Brush the beaten egg over top and side of brie. Bake on a cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes until pastry is golden brown. This. Is. Amazing.
Chex Party Mix
pioneer woman
Yes, I know you can buy this in the store. But it's Christmas time and this is so easy. Plus, you can make it days ahead to make your life easier. The difference from what you'll find at the store? Fresh minced garlic. Mmmmmm.
3C Corn Chex
3C Wheat Chex
3C Rice Chex
2C Pretzel Sticks
2C Mixed Nuts
1 stick (to 1 1/2 sticks) Butter
3T Worcestershire Sauce
6 dashes (to 12 dashes) Tabasco Sauce
3 cloves (to 5) Garlic, Mashed
1t Lawry's Seasoned Salt
1/4t Onion Powder
Dump cereal, pretzels and nuts into a large bowl.
In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave remaining ingredients until butter is melted. Stir together and toss into cereal mixture, stirring as you go.
Transfer mix onto one or two baking sheets, and bake in a 250 degree oven for one hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Let cool and store in an airtight container.
Don't forget to snack on this as you go and while you make the rest of your food! This is a fast mover. You were warned.
Goat Cheese with Fresh Dill and Paprika
pioneer woman
{make 2-3 hours ahead}
I confess I have not actually made this myself but I am planning on it! I think it looks so beautiful and would look especially pretty on a white or silver tray.
2 packages fresh goat cheese
6 T fresh dill (or more if needed)
6 T paprika (or more if needed)
Place the package of goat cheese into the freezer to chill.
While the goat cheese is chilling in the freezer, finely chop your fresh dill ad spread it out on the cutting bard to let it dry for a few minutes.
The goat cheese should now be slightly firm. When it is ready, carefully remove the goat cheese from the packaging and gently roll it over the fresh dill, coating it almost completely.
Now pour some paprika onto a baking sheet. Give the pan a very slight shake to spread out the paprika a bit. Roll the second cylinder of goat cheese in the paprika until it is covered completely.
Carefully wrap each roll snugly in a plastic wrap and chill until it's time to serve. {The paprika goat cheese will not do well if kept for longer than one to two hours so don't make it too far in advance.} Carefully slice them {easier when they are cool} and serve on crackers or crostini.
Whisky Slush
(make days ahead)
If you don't drink then just cover your eyes and scroll down to the next recipe. If you do enjoy the occasional adult beverage, then PLEASE, please give this family recipe a try. You won't go back. Yes, I realize that it is cold. Yes, I realize this is an icy drink. But if I was having a party I would make this anyway!
1 small frozen orange juice
1 large frozen pink lemonade
2 Cups of hot plain tea
1 Cup of sugar
1/5 of whiskey
Combine all the ingredients and freeze in a container that will fit in your freezer. Typically we have used a rectangular tupperware. If you want to take the next step with this recipe pull it out of the freezer every few hours as you freeze. Grab a spoon and scrape the frozen parts into a slush. Otherwise, once frozen you can use an ice cream scoop to scrape the slush into martini glasses or red plastic cups.
Mom's Holiday Dip
This may not appear that appetizing, but do not be deceived!
3 oz. chopped deli ham
3 oz. chopped pastrami
8 oz. room temperature cream cheese
1t of worcestershire
1-2T minced onion
1/2t accent seasoning
1/2t garlic powder
Combine ingredients and serve. This is great for a party because it taste better if you make it the day before. We have found that Multi-Grain Wheat Thins work really well with this dip.
Chocolate Creme Brulee with Raspberries
family recipe that goes fast
make ahead
4 (1-ounce) squares of Baker's semi-sweet chocolate
2 Cups whipping cream
5 egg yolks
1/2 C sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 275.
Combine semisweet chocolate {chop it up} and 1/2 Cup whipping cream in a small heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts. Add remaining 11/2 Cup whipping cream; add 1 teaspoon vanilla.
In a separate large bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth. Pour the chocolate/cream into your mixing bowl to combine.
Place 8-10 raspberries in each ramekin. Pour custard evenly into ramekins; place dishes in a large roasting pan or jellyroll pan and put into the oven. Pour room temp water in the pan around the ramekins to make a water bath.
Bake at 275 for one hour and 5 minutes. Try not to eat them all before your company arrives. This is very difficult so I suggest a game plan before you take them out of the oven!
Do you see anything that you might try?!
I love hearing from you.
Please let me know if you make any of these.
Merry Christmas! I can't wait!
abby
.jpg)
