Needed: Easy, Elegant Appetizers

[Wendy31]

The background...

Traditionally, in our families, at Thanksgiving, we go to my in-laws for brunch & to my parents for lunch/dinner. My mother normally prepares a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

On Christmas Eve, we also go to both houses (1 for lunch & 1 for dinner). Some years, both mothers prepare a full ham and/or turkey meal w/ all the appropriate side dishes, &, other years, they prepare turkey & ham sandwiches and other party-type finger foods.

On Christmas Day, I normally prepare a turkey w/ all the normal side dishes & invite both sets of parents over for Christmas Day dinner.

So, I'm a bit weary of the "turkey & fixings" meal & have decided to do something different for Christmas Day - which will make my DM & DMIL crazy, I'm sure! I'm going for an elegant theme... which is funny if you knew me better...

Anyway, following is my menu so far:

* Crown Rib Roast (or Standing Rib Roast)
* Sausage & Wild Rice Stuffing
* Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
* Sweet Potato Souffle
* Honey-Mustard Glazed Carrots
* Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
* Cranberry Chutney
* some kind of fruit salad (haven't decided yet)
* yeast rolls

Desserts - Key Lime Cake, Chocolate Mocha Cheesecake, Gingerbread Trifle, Strawberry Pretzel Salad, & assorted Christmas cookies & candy

NOTE - The Strawberry Pretzel Salad doesn't really fit my "elegant" theme very much, but my DH loves it, & the only time I make it is at Christmas. This may end up being my fruit salad unless I find another "fancier" fruit salad.

As people arrive, I'll have some mulled apple cider, but I still need a good appetizer. Last year, I had carrot sticks, crackers, & a cheese spread. But, this year, I'd like something more... I don't know... "elegant" to go better w/ my menu. It also needs to be easy & not very filling (because last year the mothers complained that they couldn't eat an appetizer because then they'd be too full for the "real" food)... so I'd like just some little canape-type thing. Or maybe some thinly sliced apple wedges w/ a nice cheese?

Thanks for any help!!

 

[pearlieq]

Maybe a baked brie en croute? With a fruit chutney or brown sugar pecan topping underneath the pastry?

That and a vegetable try should be nice to nibble on but not so big as to ruin the meal.

 

[mjkacmom]

Smoked salmon and cream cheese on crackers? Shrimp cocktail? Melon balls wrapped in proscuitto? Chicken sate? Scallops wrapped in bacon?

 

[DMickey28]

Do you have a BJ's around? They have some nice phyllo dough apps in little cups. You are cooking sooo much, pop a few of those in the oven and your down. Maybe with a veggie tray. I imagine that Sams or Costco has something similar.

You menu looks awesome and I can't believe that you are taking that on with a 4 month old!!

 

[Kae]

The easiest would be shrimp cocktail. You could step up your cheese tray with the above Brie & some different cheeses, gost cheese, blue some fanicer types. We like bacon wrapped waterchestnuts or articokes but you have bacon on your menu with a side dish. I would check out Sandra Lee recipes on Foodtv.com she has some great quick ideas.

Kae

 

[clarabelle]

melon with prosciutto

 

[nitsak]

Shrimp cocktail can be presented as a "Christmas Tree". All you have to do is purchase a styrofome cone (from any craft store) I get the medium size. Cover it with the least expensive green leaf from the produce dept (romaine, endive, etc) hold in place with toothpicks. I cut them down to very small pieces so you can't see them. Then I use grape tomatoes and the shrimp for the "ornaments". For the tree top, I've used a lemon cut into a star.

I've learned through experience to not use all the shrimp on the tree. No one likes to ruin the tree. So, I place the tree on a platter and surround the bottom with shrimp.

 

[Art 1]

Take a slice of salami. Spread some cream cheese on it. Place a long thin dill pickle on it and roll it up. Make enough because they won't last long.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto. Stuff dates with goat cheese and wrap in a smal slice of prosciutto big enough to entirely cover the date. Place in casserole dish and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. They are delicious!

 

[MichelleVW]

Take a slice of salami. Spread some cream cheese on it. Place a long thin dill pickle on it and roll it up. Make enough because they won't last long.

I love those...but without the pickle!

 

[golfgal]

I have to agree with the mothers that if you have too much out for appetizers you eat too much of those and not enough of the meal. They have these spinach/phyllo dough appetizers at Sam's Club (frozen) that are really good and "light". Arranged on a pretty plate they would be nice.

How long will people be there before you serve a meal?

 

[princess momma]

I love appetizers, probably more than the meal. I like to sit and nibble and have a drink before the meal. I love this! I think I got it off the Food Network website. I have it all ready to go ahead of time and pop it in the oven when guests arrive. I don't usually use nuts, it just depends if I happen to have any on hand.

1 sheet frozen puff pastry (package comes with 2 sheets)
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 small (8-ounce) wheel Brie
1/2 cup raspberry jam
1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Defrost 1 sheet of puff pastry for approximately 15 to 20 minutes and unfold (place remaining sheet in freezer for later use). Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute nuts in butter until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes. Place nuts on top of Brie and spread jam on top of nuts. Gently roll pastry with a rolling pin to increase the size of the sheet 1 to 2 inches in each direction. Brush both sides of the sheet with beaten egg. Center the wheel of Brie on top of the pastry sheet. Bring all four corners of the sheet together above Brie and twist slightly to form a "bundle." Tie gathered pastry with kitchen/cooking string (tie string in the form of a bow), arranging pastry until you are satisfied with the "bundle" shape. Place "bundle" on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until pastry is golden brown. Serve with top-quality crackers.

 

[lillygator]

Shrimp cocktail can be presented as a "Christmas Tree". All you have to do is purchase a styrofome cone (from any craft store) I get the medium size. Cover it with the least expensive green leaf from the produce dept (romaine, endive, etc) hold in place with toothpicks. I cut them down to very small pieces so you can't see them. Then I use grape tomatoes and the shrimp for the "ornaments". For the tree top, I've used a lemon cut into a star.

I've learned through experience to not use all the shrimp on the tree. No one likes to ruin the tree. So, I place the tree on a platter and surround the bottom with shrimp.

that sounds great....would love to see a pic if you have one! I am trying to envision the lettuce....

 

[HeatherC]

A log of fresh goat cheese rolled in fresh herbs and served with crackers?

Baked wontons with sausage and cheese stuffing?

 

[pearlieq]

Shrimp cocktail can be presented as a "Christmas Tree".

Way cool!

 

[Disney Doll]

Pears with prosciutto, arugula and blue cheese.

Take a pear (your favorite kind).
Cut it in 1/2.
Dig out the seeds.
Now cut each 1/2 into 4 pieces.
Take a ball of blue cheese about the size of a marble and put it into the divot left where the seeds used to be.
Lay an arugula leaf on the pear and wrap the pear slice with prosciutto (wrap it right around the arugula leaf and the blue cheese).
Secure the prosciutto with a toothpik.
People love this, think it is so very unusual and it takes like 10 minutes to put together.
The only thing that can be a bit annoying is if the prosciutto is sliced really thin then it can be hard to work with, so be careful of that!

 

[nutterbutter2010]

Shrimp cocktail can be presented as a "Christmas Tree". All you have to do is purchase a styrofome cone (from any craft store) I get the medium size. Cover it with the least expensive green leaf from the produce dept (romaine, endive, etc) hold in place with toothpicks. I cut them down to very small pieces so you can't see them. Then I use grape tomatoes and the shrimp for the "ornaments". For the tree top, I've used a lemon cut into a star.

I've learned through experience to not use all the shrimp on the tree. No one likes to ruin the tree. So, I place the tree on a platter and surround the bottom with shrimp.

I did that once with chocolate dipped strawberries and marzapan fruit - HUGE hit! This is awesome too!!! I'm not doing any holiday dinners at my house this year, but if I do next year, this will be on the table!

 

[JessicaR]

I've made the shrimp tree a few times. Easy and it looks so nice! I also make an artichoke heart appetizer that is delicious. You can serve it with wheat thins or any cracker or pita crisps.

I don't measure so I'll give you the gist.

Frozen artichoke hearts - two boxes defrosted - cut in quarters
minced garlic 4 cloves
Italian seasoned bread crumbs one cup
roasted red peppers diced 1 jar
grated parmesan cheese 2tbs
pitted kalamata olives sliced 1 jar

You mix all the ingredients in a glass Pyrex baking dish and add the olive oil last till moist.
Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

Very tasty and goes well with your menu.

 

[dalt01]

Take a slice of salami. Spread some cream cheese on it. Place a long thin dill pickle on it and roll it up. Make enough because they won't last long.

I love those...but without the pickle!

i do this with thin sliced smoked turkey or turkey ham and a slice of individually wrapped cheese. roll it tight and cut into 1 inch pieces and put a round toothpick in each one. simple but good. either way these things go fast.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Pears with prosciutto, arugula and blue cheese.

Take a pear (your favorite kind).
Cut it in 1/2.
Dig out the seeds.
Now cut each 1/2 into 4 pieces.
Take a ball of blue cheese about the size of a marble and put it into the divot left where the seeds used to be.
Lay an arugula leaf on the pear and wrap the pear slice with prosciutto (wrap it right around the arugula leaf and the blue cheese).
Secure the prosciutto with a toothpik.
People love this, think it is so very unusual and it takes like 10 minutes to put together.
The only thing that can be a bit annoying is if the prosciutto is sliced really thin then it can be hard to work with, so be careful of that!

That sounds really good.