When it comes to the Holidays, working and trying to manage---for me--even a take to the 'family party' dish was real effort...so I, did my relatives and friends a favor and went to area----here I want to say---absolutely yummy food-----places and bought whatever was required.
I remember watching the 'Martha Stewart' Holiday show with my daughter and feeling both overwhelmed and a little depressed-----until I put it all into perspective----and realized---it's a show-----she has 60 peeps doing the very real labor involved---broken down into departments, to do so.....COME OFF IT!
Even one of those lovely-simple desserts would take me half a day to make.....and probably would not look ( presentation is everything-packaging the same deal) like the one they displayed with such pride on the show...
But, I do love to remember those lovely shows.....
I started looking for shortcuts-----elegant and easy......I would look at Food Network and found there were recipes that didn't take forever to make.....but that were very elegant......ditto, friend and family ones....brought to events.
And last minute-----Servattis in every pocket of Cincinnati-( suburbs) and in Northern Kentucky...... I love this place!!!!!
My daughter and I, from the time she was able to realize what New Years was really all about---celebrated the New Year with a tea party---using Servattis yummy and small individual desserts---and a tiny glass of champagne poured into our tea cup.......Memories......lol
Okay, so here are four easy-easy-elegant ( depending on how you serve them up---remember presentation is EVERYTHING) appetizers for the Holidays.....I will post desserts on the next one......these are from a mix of family-friends- and some of what I have seen on tv/cable.
1. Take a cucumber and peel it------then take a cheese slicer and peel off long strands of cucumber---lay out flat---add a slice of salmon ( packaged will do) ( fresh is better) ---roll these up and add a dollop of sour cream on top----sprinkle with dill---lightly---
then....sprinkle ( use your fingers and MEASURE) a small bit-(tiny)- of pepper flakes.....on top----and you can add pickled ginger and wasabi on the side---as a little add on.....instead of the pepper flakes. Put out some lovely flat bread crackers and there you have it!
2. Buy packages of chicken livers.......boil in a pot, ( until almost done ( rinse off the yukky grey stuff) ....in lightly salted water-----drain.......put a slice of sugar/apple ( any sweet ) flavored bacon and wrap around the liver----secure with a toothpick.....broil these bad boys until completely done---bacon is curling up and smelling delicious.....add dipping sauces---mustard-honey......done!
3. Go to Kroger-----(buy hot pepper jelly ) Kroger brand in jelly aisle) -----green and red----take it home----pour it over a softened package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese---add your favorite crackers......done!
4. Go to Maderia, Ohio------if you can--if not--Kroger-----or wherever you shop---(in Maderia---there is a shop called Piazza Desceopli
buy: figs (actually have them in a jar at PD) -----( at Kroger or Bob Evans--fig jelly or jam)
(3) cheeses--( tell them what it is for--they will help you choose and let you taste)(both places)( okay all three-see below)
(2) types of flat crackers......Rosemary Thyme are wonderful-----(Whole Foods is a great place to shop for all of this, too)
walnuts-grapes-(At PD------bottled Farmhouse Olives)------(every store has olives---try the ones in oil--real olive oil.....important)....
(really, I would say use your imagination--however, it is better to stick to a solidly tried and true version to begin---flavors must taste good together)......
For all of your above yummies------use a favorite platter-----nice napkins----take a bottle of wine....champagne----enjoy----is easy and you will get in the hang of adding your own little accompany-ments as you go along, to make this easy and elegant offering your own signature item requested year after year ( oh yeah, forgot to mention that--my fam. says --"what cake from Servattis are you bringing?"......got them trained to ask the question I want to answer......)
and for the last bit.....if this is to be at your home.....nothing says celebration and nice---like fresh flowers placed on the table.......even for an evening offering..same candles.....Oh Festival.......sit back and bask in the compliments...... and Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!
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