I wanted to share some of the food I made for Frances Moon’s birthday and a few other party food favorites that would be perfect for entertaining this holiday season!  If you have any other favorite apps I would love to here them, I am hosting a party in 2 weeks and looking for some fresh ideas!

TORTELLINI SKEWERS

These could not be easy.  Cook cheese tortellini according to the package.  Then skewer with cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella balls.  Drizzle with pesto.  I usually add a little olive oil to my pesto to thin it out.  This is great for Christmas because of the red and green colors!

2 other favorite skewers

ANTIPASTO KABOBS

PROSCIUTTO + MELON SKEWERS

I always love to serve mini sandwiches. I usually do pimento cheese and cucumber.  I use the Pepperidge Farms really thin sandwich bread.  I like to use whole wheat for the cucumber sandwiches and white for pimento cheese but switch it up however you like!  As far as Pimento cheese, My three Sons is my favorite. The spicy white and regular are so yummy for these sandwiches!  I do a thin layer of mayo on the pimento cheese sandwiches.

CUCUMBER TEA SANDWICHES

– 2 packages cream cheese room temperature

– 1/3 cup chopped fresh dill

– juice of one lemon

– 1 english cucumber thinly sliced

–  1 loaf thin white and wheat bread (I like Pepperidge Farms)

Let the cream cheese come to room temperature.  Add in chopped dill, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.  Mix well.

Use a mandolin to thinly slice the cucumber.

Spread both sides of bread with cream cheese and layer with cucumbers.  Cut in half and then in half again.  Each sandwich should make 4 mini triangles.

I usually do a veggie tray as well.  I love how the colors look on the table and we all could eat more veggies! For this tray I used the ranch dip packet and mixed it with a 16 oz sour cream.  It is my favorite ranch dip.

AVOCADO DIP

To make this you just puree 1 and 1/2 avocados + 8 oz cream cheese + 1/2 white onion finely diced + juice from 1/2  lemon + 2 minced garlic cloves + salt to taste.

BACON WRAPPED DATES

To make you just slice the dates in half but not all the way through and remove the seeds.  Then stuff with cheese, you can really use any kind I used white cheddar. They are also great with blue cheese and gruyere. Then wrap with bacon, I use the pre cooked kind.  Bake 350 degrees 15 mins or until cheese is melted.

PIMENTO CHEESE BALLS

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER BITES

PEARS + PROSCIUTTO + BLUE CHEESE

2 pears sliced thinly

arugula

blue cheese (buy the Danish block kind)

Prosciutto slices

Balsamic vinegar

Drizzle pears with lemon juice to prevent browning.  Lay on side and place a few pieces of arugula and a chunk of blue cheese on pear.  Wrap with a thin piece of prosciutto.  Drizzle all with balsamic vinegar.

PIZZA WONTONS

adapted via Fox and Briar makes 20-24 mini bites

– 1 package wonton shells

– 1 8oz cream cheese

– 2 teaspoons oregano

– 2 garlic cloves minced

– grated parmesan cheese

– shredded mozzarella

– mini pepperonis

– pizza sauce

Press one wonton shell into a mini muffin baking sheet.  Press down to make a cup.

In a bowl mix together cream cheese, oregano and garlic.

Place a scoop of the cream cheese mix in the bottom of each wonton shell.  Sprinkle some grated parmesan and mozzarella.  They add a scoop of pizza sauce.  Add more parmesan and mozzarella.  Top each wonton cup with a few mini pepperonis.

Bake at 350 degree about 15-20 mins until bubbly.

MARINATED CHEESE

ENDIVE BOATS

There are so many options for stuffing endive but it doesn’t get much easier than Boursin and Pimento   Cheese.

CUBAN SLIDERS

SPINACH ARTICHOKE WONTONS

GREEK SALAD BITES

SPINACH ARTICHOKE FETA DIP

VEGGIE RANCH PIZZA

SUN DRIED TOMATO BASIL ROLL UPS