Looking for a simple, yet fancy appetizer to share this holiday? This show stopping Christmas Brie with treats is the perfect holiday appetizer to try. It's elegant, yet inviting. Impressive, but quick to throw together. Here’s my take on keeping it simple.
Keep the brie chilled until ready to prepare. Use a Christmas tree or Star shaped cookie cutter, then center it on the cheese. Press lightly to create the shape; don’t go all the way through the cheese. Using a pointed knife, gently remove some of the cheese to form a shallow well. Then add jam to form the shape.
Make sure to choose a thick jam (I love seedless raspberry jam) fig jam is wonderful too. Wait until just before serving to add it to the brie.
WHAT TO INCLUDE ON A CHEESE BOARD
A beautiful board starts with the basics ... cheese and crackers. Once you've got that figured out, choose a few extras to complement the cheese.
When selecting the accompaniments, the key is to balance contrasting flavors and textures. For example, pair salty nuts with sweet dried fruit, zesty olives with a mild, creamy dip, or light fruit with rich cheese.
Here are some ideas to inspire you:
Cheese - For two people, pick one to three cheeses.
Crackers + Bread - You need something to eat the cheese on. Crunchy crackers are a classic, but crusty bread (fresh or toasted) is also a great choice, especially with spreadable cheeses, like Brie.
Nuts - Almost any kind of nut works. Try pistachios, almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, or a mixture. Flavored or candied nuts are also delicious.
Olives - Briny olives pair well with cheese.
Fresh Fruit - seasonal fruits works well here, including apples, pears, strawberries, and grapes. My most favorite is Persimmons, they pair well with any cheese.
Dips + Spreads - Consider adding your favorite dips and spreads to the board, too.
Chocolate - a mix of dark and milk chocolate is the perfect finishing touch for any board!
Fresh Herbs - If you have them on hand, fresh herbs make a beautiful, and fragrant garnish.
All that’s left to do is add some delicious red and white wines, classic cocktail, and some sparkling water for those who don’t drink alcohol.
See recipe below for a refreshing Venetian Cocktail.
Milano-Torino Cocktail
Serves: 1
Super easy and delicious with a flavor of Scotch whiskey and sweet liqueur but brighter and smoother.
Measure out ¾ ounce (3 ½ teaspoons) Campari and pour into a glass full of ice cubes.
Add 2 ½ ounces (5 tablespoons) sweet vermouth.
Stir well and garnish with both a lemon peel and orange peel.
Enjoy!
Cocktail Party Bananas Foster Puddings
Serves: 4
Ingredients
Pudding:
1 cup vanilla pudding (store bought instant pudding mix)
1 cup whipped cream
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon orange juice
2 tablespoons honey or corn syrup
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
2 teaspoons holiday sprinkles (more as needed)
4 thin chocolate chip cookies or ginger snap cookies, crumbled
1 large banana, sliced into 1/4-inch coins
Bananas Foster:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 large banana, sliced into 1/4-inch coins
3 tablespoons dark rum or bourbon (see Cook's Note)
Directions:
1. Prepare the pudding mix according to directions and let set.
2. Fold together pudding, whipped cream, orange zest, and juice in a large bowl until combined.
3. Pour a very thin layer of honey or corn syrup on a small plate. Make a pile of turbinado sugar and holiday sprinkles on another small plate and mix to combine. Hold a coupe glass or margarita glass upside down and gently tap the rim in the honey (a little goes a long way). Immediately roll the edge of the glass in the sugar mix and place upright to dry. Repeat with 3 more glasses.
3. Dollop about 1/4 cup pudding mixture into the bottom of each glass. Top with a layer of crumbled cookies, then a layer of banana slices and another 1/4 cup pudding. Chill until ready to serve, up to 2 hours.
4. For the bananas Foster: When you are ready to serve, melt the butter in a medium nonstick skillet. Add brown sugar and cook until sugar dissolves. Stir in bananas until coated well. Take off the heat and carefully add rum, then light with a lighter or match and let burn until the liquor burns off. Let bananas cool slightly, then add a spoonful of bananas to each of the glasses. Serve immediately.
Cook’s Note
To make homemade whipped cream, combine 1 cup chilled heavy cream and 2 tablespoons confectioners, 1 teaspoon vanilla or orange extract in a large mixing bowl. Whip, with a whisk or hand mixer, until stiff peaks form. To make a version with no alcohol, add 3 tablespoons orange juice to the pudding, and omit the rum and the flambéing of the bananas.
Use extreme caution when igniting alcohol. Remove the pan from the heat source before adding the alcohol. Pour the alcohol into the pan and carefully ignite with a match or click lighter. Return the pan to the heat and gently swirl to reduce the flames.
Holly Jolly Bundt Cake.
Here’s a simple way to dress up a bundt cake for Christmas.
What you will need:
Fresh Mint leaves,
Fresh Whole Cranberries
Snow White non melting sugar or Confectioners’ sugar .
Instructions: Place the cake on a serving platter. Fill the middle to the top with the fresh cranberries then decorate with the mint leaves. Sprinkle generously with non melting sugar to create a snowy look. Add more cranberries around the serving platter if desired.
