Holiday Appetizers.

The holidays are stressful enough, why make whether you're entertaining, going to a potluck, or hosting the afters.. these easy appetizers are fool proof and guaranteed to please any crowd! 

Fig & Brie Crostini

Brie, fig jam, and rosemary crostini topped with balsamic glaze  
- Slice your gluten-free baguette and place flat on a parchment lined sheet pan, drizzle as good quailty olive oil on top along with garlic salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Place in a preheated oven at 425 degrees for 3 minutes  
- Remove the top of the brie and spoon cheese onto your warm crostini. Dollop a heathy amount of fig jam then top with fresh chopped rosemary and cracked pepper. Place bake in your oven for another 3 minutes. 
- Drizzle your crostinis with balsamic and enjoy !!  

lOADED KETTLE CHIPS

Kettle chips, freshly grated parmesan, chives, hot honey, and truffle aioli all come together for the merriest bite 
- Place your kettle chips on a parchment lined sheet tray and generously sprinkle parmesan on top along with black pepper and honey. Broil until cheese is bubbly and until the chips are toasted golden brown
- Remove and top with chives and your truffle aioli, I use Sir Kensington's Truffle Garlic Aioli
- Serve to your guests family style on your sheet tray 

smokey & sweet pepper jelly over cream cheese

Spicy jalapeño jelly, sweet dark cherry jam, creamy cream cheese on a rosemary cracker... ooooh !! 
- Place your block of room temp cream cheese in the middle of a wide rounded edge plate or platter. Flatten cheese out with a warm spoon and top with layer of jalapeño jelly. Spoon drops of Bonne Maman Cherry Preserves
- Serve with Simple Mills Rosemary & Sea Salt crackers 
(for an added kick, sprinkle with cayenne pepper and serve with Simple Mills Cheddar crackers) 

Roasted pears stuffed with Fig & bleu cheese

Sweet juicy pears, salty creamy cheese, crunchy candied walnuts... YUM 
- Slice pears in half. Use a teaspoon measuring spoon to carve out an oval in the middle.  
- Stuff middle with bleu or gorgonzola cheese then spoon on your fig preserves. Place in a greased or parchment lined baking dish and top with a candied walnut half. 
- Drizzle with hot honey and bake in a 425 degree oven for around 7 - 12 minutes
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve over a bed of arugula

Bacon wrapped dates

Gooey pitted dates wrapped in salty bacon. Who wouldn't love that?! 
- These are as simple as the name. Cut your bacon into 3rds and wrap around a Pitted Medjool Date
- Place seam side down on a parchment lined sheet tray. Sprinkle with your favorite bbq rub and bake on 425 degrees until your bacon is crisp, around 15-20 minutes
- Serve to guests as is or, you guessed it, drizzle with balsamic glaze!! 

A little playlist for you to jam to: