Dips and Spreads for Easy Holiday Appetizers

I’d rather hang out with guests during my holiday party than toil away in the kitchen while they enjoy each other and the good food. That’s where these simple and delicious Christmas party foods come in handy. They’re quick, easy and feed large crowds of hungry revelers.

Dress Up Your Cheese Tray. Cheese in any form is a crowd pleaser and spreads can help take it to the next level.

• Spread La Piana Bell Pepper & Eggplant Spread, and Artichoke Spread on crackers or toasted bread and top with        
• Humboldt Fog or another soft blue cheese or slices of Pecorino Romano.
• Place a dollop of Tracklement’s powerful Chili Jam on cheese, creating a crimson red accent and exuding a sweet and hot flavor.
• Bella Cucina Artful Food Artichoke Lemon Pesto goes well mixed with mayonnaise and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Or try the Walnut Sage Pesto with just about any kind of soft cheese.

• Wild Thymes Cranberry Sauces, combinations of whole fresh cranberries and various fruits including figs, apples, raspberries, oranges and lemons, can be used over Brie, Camembert or cream cheese.
• Plus—who says a cheese ball is cheesy? Cheeseballs have received a flavor makeover since their popularity in the 1950s. In less than five minutes and for under $10, you can create a real treat for 20 people with Caley & Cobb’s Cheeseball Mixes, which come in four varieties—Artichoke; Sundried Tomato; Sweet Ginger Fig; and Garlic.

Pâtés & Mousses. These soft, savory spreads add elegance to your table. Here’s a sampling:

• Marcel et Henri’s Mousse de Foie de Poulet et Gras de Porc au Porto is made of chicken liver and pork fat with port, and has a velvety texture and delicate flavor.
• Global Gourmet combines favorite libations with pâté. Try Brandy & Herb, Triple Sec & Orange, Tequila & Cranberry,
• Bourbon & Blueberry, Mushroom & Garlic and Welsh Dragon (venison liver and chile).
• Lavender is one of the primary ingredients in Alexian Pâté & Specialty Meats’ Herbs de Provence, along with thyme, bay leaf, sage and fennel. Also check out the Spiced Apple Mousse, Duck with Cognac Mousse, Chicken and Veal Paté, White Asparagus
• Terrine, Eggplant and Goat Cheese Terrine and Mixed Vegetable Terrine.

Sweet Ending. Dessert doesn’t need to be fussy—all you need is a microwave to create a warm, delectable treat.

• You can’t go wrong with the nine chocolate fondue flavors in France’s Aux Anysetiers du Roy’s Les Fondues au Chocolat line. Simply microwave and serve with fruit.  –Denise Shoukas

Denise Shoukas is a regular foodspring.com contributor and is the author of foodspring’s food forager blog.

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