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Creative, Easy-to-Make Appetizer and Food Ideas for Every Holiday
During the holidays, there’s always one staple you can count on. You’re probably thinking friends or family, but really it’s the food that brings everyone together on a designated day off. Nothing warms up a holiday party like a good ol’ appetizer to start off conversation, appetites and celebration. There are only so many days of observance left in 2014, how will you ‘wow’ the crowd? Here are some creative, easy-to-make appetizers and food that make the extra holiday weight worth it, and you, pretty popular.
Labor Day: Bacon-Wrapped Crimini Mushrooms
On Labor Day, America takes off work and turns into barbeque country. There are many options of what to bring to a BBQ: meat, vegetables… meat, vegetables… Put them together and you have bacon-wrapped crimini mushrooms, skewered, and of course, grilled. A melt-in-your mouth combination of flavorful crimini mushrooms bundled in charcoal-crispy bacon – true finger food to ease your stomach into the rest of the burgers, brats, hot dogs and corn-on-the-cob that will ensue.
Halloween: Mummy Spinach Dip
Any good holiday gathering has spinach dip. If you need a Halloween food idea besides candy, you may want to bust out the necessary spread and add a scary but hilarious twist. Mummy spinach dip is the friendliest mummified sustenance you’ll ever encounter – a concoction of spinach, sour cream, ranch, green onion and parmesan is cased into a body of bread that’s wrapped with baked mozzarella string cheese all around. Nothing to be afraid of here, this spinach dip is mm-mmm mummified – do dare to dip! For additional spooky appetizers, click here.
Thanksgiving: Baked Brie
Prime the stomach for an all-out Thanksgiving feast with warm, gooey, rich and delicious baked brie. A lot of extravagant cooking happens on this food-crazed holiday, keep it simple by enclosing a nice wheel of brie cheese in foil and popping it in the oven next to the turkey for a few minutes until it’s fondue-ready. Something to give thanks to, this is a classic centerpiece for friends and family to gather around and delve right into prior to the multi-course meal munching.
Hanukkah: Cheese Latkes – Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Potato latkes are a Hanukkah tradition. If you want to get creative during Jewish festivities, throw some cheese latkes on the frying pan. These little pancakes of bliss come from a batter of matzo meal, sugar, salt, cinnamon, eggs and cottage cheese, and are seared to golden perfection.
Christmas: Spiced Chocolate Eggnog
Put down that figgy pudding because you’ll need your hands free to serve the boss a glass of spiced chocolate eggnog at the office Christmas party. In the spirit of giving, your boss can expect to receive a box of chocolate and maybe a nice bottle of liqueur. Outdo your colleagues with this one-and-done present, a divine brandy-induced eggnog that is mixed with notes of bittersweet chocolate and a kick of cayenne pepper to awaken the taste buds and holiday cheer.
New Years: Almond Cheese Ball
The anticipation on New Year’s Eve is high – it symbolizes 365 days you’ll reminisce about and base resolutions off of. It may make you excited and it may make you nervous. Instead of becoming even more anxious waiting for the ball to drop, dig into an almond cheese ball that’s already ready for you. This holiday can be a bit fancy (Hello champagne flute filled with Veuve!). Thus, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, parmesan, bacon, Neufchatel cheese made in France and cream cheese rolled into a toasted almond-crusted sphere fits the bourgeoisie bill for NYE quite perfectly.
Food is the foundation that holds together a holiday and people need to eat and be merry as they recognize a date of significance. By preparing these holiday dishes, you could be the other reason why all your friends and family are rejoicing.
Jennifer Thayer is a technology writer from Southern California who loves finding ways technology can make life easier. She enjoys sharing her tips and tricks with readers. Follow her on Twitter.