Alyssa Ponticello // In Good Taste

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3 Easy Christmas Appetizers

Alyssa Ponticello

Easy Christmas Appetizers

Post-Thanksgiving,

I usually try to see if I can survive the rest of the year on cookies and party appetizers alone. They are two of my absolute favorite food groups, and since the holiday season is overflowing with an abundance of both, it only makes sense to try to survive on these delicious little treats alone even though I know good and well at this point in my life that I obviously can't. Despite my best efforts, my waistline always ends up disagreeing and calling an intervention to put an end to the "all the cookies and appetizers from Thanksgiving to New Years" party. Rude, but whatever (*insert sarcastic eye roll! Ha!).

But here’s the thing. Just because my all-day, every day app party had to be stopped, doesn't mean it has to end on the blog. Here to help you with your Christmas party/holiday get-togethers/festive celebrations/Christmas dinners/treats to enjoy by the Christmas tree or while watching a holiday movie, whichever you prefer, are 3 easy Christmas appetizers. Each is unique and different while still being simple and seasonal.

The first appetizer is mini orange, ricotta, pistachio and fig tarts, slightly sweet bites that highlight seasonal flavors, take cues from cheesecake and galettes, and could pass as easily for dessert and breakfast as they do an appetizer. The second app, for cream cheese stuffed and bacon wrapped dates, may be the easiest of all three recipes, and also happens to be my personal favorite, not because the other two aren’t delicious (Trust me, they are!), but simply because I just can’t ever resist anything with bacon! Last but not least are fun and festive (thanks to the pomegranate seeds) mini fruit toast “pizzas” that are super fast and easy to make and also another app that could easily moonlight as a dessert. And the great thing about these recipes is that they can each be made in less than 30 minutes, and all three together can be made in less than an hour, which means you'll be on your way to one happy app party in no time.

While nothing will ever beat the classic appetizers, things like warm and delicious baked brie, deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms, festive cheeseballs or decadent, creamy spinach artichoke dip, each of these easy appetizers adds something fun and fresh to any holiday spread.

MINI ORANGE RICOTTA, PISTACHIO + FIG TARTS

yields 12

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 tablespoons of ricotta

  • 1 tablespoon of orange juice

  • 1 teaspoon honey (if you prefer a sweeter taste, feel free to add more)

  • 3 large figs, quartered (see notes)

  • 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed

  • Pistachio nuts, chopped

  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

  2. In a small bowl, whip together the ricotta orange juice, and honey.

  3. To assemble the tarts, cut a square of puff pastry about 3"x3". In the center dab a small amount of the ricotta mixture (about 1 teaspoon). Place a quarter of the fig on top. Fold the sides up and over to form an edge around the filling, leaving the center exposed. Place on the baking sheet and sprinkle with a few pistachio pieces. Continue on until you have used up all of the ingredients.

  4. Baked the tarts for about 18-20 minutes, or until the dough has turned golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack.

  5. When you are ready to serve, place on a dish and dust them with powder sugar.

NOTES

  • For the figs, you can use fresh or frozen. I happened to use the frozen ones from Trader Joe's. Just make sure to fully defrost them and drain off the liquid first.

  • These can be made 4-5 hour in advance.

  • Store any remaining tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

CREAM CHEESE STUFFED BACON WRAPPED DATES

yields 18

INGREDIENTS

  • 16-18 dates, pitted

  • 4 pieces of bacon, cut into 3" strips

  • 1/4 block of cream cheese (I use neufchâtel)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil and set aside.

  2. Split the dates in half (but don't cut completely through). Stuff a small amount (about 1/2 a teaspoon) of cream cheese in the middle, then fold the date back together. Wrap tightly with a piece of bacon, then place the date on the baking sheet. Continue on until you have used up all of your ingredients.

  3. Bake the dates for 15 minutes, then flip them over using tongs, and baking another 2-5 minutes, or until they are crispy and the bacon has fully cooked on all sides.

  4. Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

NOTES

Store any leftovers in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 2 days in the fridge.

 BITE-SIZED POMEGRANATE FRUIT PIZZAS

yields 16

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 tablespoons mascarpone

  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese (I used neufchâtel)

  • 1 teaspoon of an orange liquor

  • 1 tablespoon of orange juice

  • 3 teaspoons honey

  • 8 small bread rounds, cut in half (see notes)

  • Pomegranate seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Place the bread rounds on a baking sheet, cut side up, and toast them for 5 minutes at 400 degrees.

  2. While they bread is toasting, in a small bowl whip together the mascarpone, cream cheese, liquor, honey and orange juice until well combined.

  3. After the bread has finished toasting, allow the rounds to cool for about 2-5 minutes. Once cool, spread each half with a little of the mascarpone mixture (I used about 1 teaspoon per half). Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and place on a serving tray. Serve immediately.

NOTES

  • Feel free to adjust the honey and liquor deepening on your taste preferences.

  • For the bread rounds, you can use any store bought mini buns found in the bread aisle at your local grocery store or you can make your own.

  • You can make the mascarpone mixture a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge

TIPS

  • To make these all under an hour, here's the game plan- Make the tarts first, then prep the dates while the tarts are cooking. Immediately after the tarts come out of the oven, toast the bread rounds for the pizzas. Then turn the oven down to bake the dates. While those are baking, assemble the mini pizzas. And voila! 3 easy appetizers ready to go in no time!

  • These all also make really great breakfast treats or a brunch side dish, too, (holiday appetizer brunch bar anyone??), in case you have any leftovers (though that is highly unlikely! ha!) or you’re hosting a holiday breakfast/brunch and are in need of more breakfast-appropriate apps.

  • For even more easy Christmas appetizers, here are a few other posts to check out- five 2-ingredient holiday appetizers, an easy and festive cheeseboard, a dijon and pear baked brie, and 7 simple and seasonal apps that you can make head.