Elegant Appetizers for Holiday Entertaining


Star of Brie & Crackers

1 2-lb. whole wheel of Brie cheese

2/3 cup toasted chopped walnuts

2/3 cup toasted slivered almonds

2/3 cup chopped pistachios

2/3 cup chopped dried apricots

2/3 cup chopped dried cranberries, dried sour cherries, or golden raisins

Unsalted crackers (saltine, whole-wheat, or whatever type you prefer)

Using a flat-edged cheese knife, scrape off most of the rind that covers the top side of the Brie wheel. Cut the Brie into six equal wedges, and arrange on a serving platter with the points of the cheese facing outward to create a six-pointed star design. Gather a handful of one type of chopped ingredients per wedge, and press them onto the top of each wedge. Arrange the crackers inside the Brie wheel.

Herbed Cheese Stuffed Tomatoes

MAKES 36 STUFFED TOMATOES

3 dozen cherry tomatoes, about 1 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter

2 tablespoons of homemade or commercially prepared pesto

1 small garlic clove, finely minced

2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, finely snipped

2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely snipped

1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, finely snipped

1 8-oz. package cream cheese

4 oz. fresh goat cheese

Fresh parsley or dill sprigs, for garnishing (optional)

With a sharp paring knife, cut off the top of each cherry tomato (the stem side). Hollow out the inside of the cherry tomatoes, using a small teaspoon or a melon baller. Invert the tomatoes onto a baking tray lined with paper towels and set aside.

Place the pesto, garlic, parsley, chives, and tarragon in the bowl of a food processor. Process the mixture for 15 seconds. Add the cream cheese and goat cheese to the bowl. Process the mixture for an additional 30 to 45 seconds or until the mixture is smooth.

Transfer the cheese mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe the mixture into each of the cherry tomatoes. Garnish the top of the mixture with a sprig of fresh parsley or dill.

Transfer the stuffed tomatoes to a baking tray, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Puff Pastry Cheese Sticks

MAKES 36 CHEESE STICKS

1 17-1/4 oz. package of store-bought frozen puff pastry dough, thawed in the refrigerator

1 egg white, lightly beaten

Paprika

Cayenne pepper (optional)

1 1/2 cups finely grated sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Open one sheet of the puff pastry onto a cutting board. Brush the surface of the pastry lightly with the beaten egg white. Sprinkle the surface lightly with paprika (and, if desired, a pinch of cayenne pepper for added spice). Sprinkle the

The copyright of the article Elegant Appetizers for Holiday Entertaining in Seasonal Cooking is owned by Michael Vyskocil. Permission to republish Elegant Appetizers for Holiday Entertaining in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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