Appetizers for Holiday Entertaining

One of the things to do for a holiday gathering is to figure out the food since food usually plays a central role in most holiday gatherings. Try to make it easy on yourself. Choose make ahead foods, and keep your last minute preparations to a minimum. The following are wonderful appetizers that I always make when I am entertaining that I learned from my mom:

Holiday Cheese Ball

(2) 8 oz. Pkg. Cream cheese
4 oz. Fine grated cheddar cheese
2 tsp. Lemon juice
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. Onion finely minced
1/2 tbsp. Green pepper minced fine

Topping:
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 Jar candied cherries

Mix well top ingredients together. Form in a shape of a ball, and then roll in 1/2 cup chopped nuts. Place candied red cherry on top. (Makes 12 servings)

This is another yummy cheese ball recipe that I am sure will "wow" your guests.

Pineapple Cheddar Ball

(1) 8 oz. Can crushed pineapple
(2) 8 oz. Pkg. Cream cheese, softened
2 cups (8oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
4 crisply cooked bacon pieces, crumbled
1 tbsp. finely chopped green onion
1 tsp. Soy sauce
1/4 tsp. Salt
3/4 cup Quaker 100% natural cereal, coarsely crushed

Drain pineapple well, reserving 1tbsp. pineapple juice. Beat together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and pineapple juice. Add pineapple, bacon, onion, soy sauce, and salt. Mix well. Chill several hours until firm. Shape into ball. Before serving, roll cheese ball in cereal. (Makes 12 servings)

Here is another fabulous appetizer to serve.

Spinach Dip

10 oz. Bag of fresh Spinach
2 large hard-boiled Eggs (optional)
2 small thin Scallions
1/3 cup Mayonnaise
1/3 cup Sour cream
2 tbsp. Lemon juice
1 tbsp. Mustard
1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce
1/4 tsp. Salt

Wash the spinach and steam it for 5 minutes. Drain. Then squeeze the liquid out of the spinach. Chop spinach and scallions fine. Chop eggs fine. Then whisk together other ingredients. Stir in spinach mixture and eggs. Cover and chill. Serve within a couple hours.

My last favorite appetizer that I like to serve my guests for holiday entertaining is stuffed mushroom caps.

Stuffed Mushroom Caps

18 large Mushrooms
3 oz. Monterey cheese
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. Dried oregano
A pinch of salt and pepper
Mayonnaise
Flavored breadcrumbs

Remove mushroom stems and chop finely. Add next 6 ingredients. Add small amount of flavored breadcrumbs. Bind together with a little bit of mayonnaise. Spoon into caps. Put a little butter on top of each mushroom. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

So, these are my favorite holiday appetizers that I learned from my mom. She taught them to me before she passed away. I like keeping her memory alive by making these every year. For me, that is what the holidays are all about...FAMILY. I hope that you enjoy these appetizers at your holiday gatherings, and I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family this year! Happy Holidays!!!