Happy holidays and happy feasting!
For your effortless holiday entertaining, here are 20 ideas and recipes for salads and appetizers for the Christmas and New Year table that sound and look fancy, but that’s actually easy to make and decorate.
The holiday season calls for sumptuous feasts and delightful gatherings, and what better way to start a meal than with a stunning array of salads and appetizers? While the thought of preparing fancy-looking dishes may seem daunting, we’ve compiled a list of 20 recipes that are not only visually impressive but also remarkably easy to make. These dishes will add a touch of elegance to your Christmas and New Year’s table without requiring hours in the kitchen. Let’s dive into these delectable recipes.
20 Christmas salads and appetizers ideas and recipes
With these elegant yet easy-to-make salads and appetizers, you can effortlessly impress your guests this Christmas and New Year.
From vibrant Caprese skewers to flavorful stuffed mushrooms, these recipes will add a touch of sophistication to your holiday table. So don your apron, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create a feast that will be remembered for years to come.
Happy holidays and happy feasting!
These recipes are sure to add a touch of glamour to your holiday spread without causing a culinary frenzy.
Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh mozzarella balls
- Fresh basil leaves
- Balsamic glaze
Assembly: Thread a cherry tomato, mozzarella ball, and basil leaf onto small skewers. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Smoked Salmon and Cucumber Bites
Ingredients:
- English cucumber
- Smoked salmon slices
- Cream cheese
- Fresh dill
Assembly: Slice cucumber into rounds. Top with a small dollop of cream cheese, smoked salmon, and a sprig of fresh dill.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients:
- Large mushrooms
- Cream cheese
- Garlic, minced
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Assembly: Remove mushroom stems and fill caps with a mixture of cream cheese, garlic, Parmesan, and parsley. Bake until golden.
Watermelon Feta Salad Bites
Ingredients:
- Watermelon cubes
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Fresh mint leaves
- Balsamic glaze
Assembly: Skewer a cube of watermelon, a piece of feta, and a mint leaf. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Puff Pastry Pinwheels with Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients:
- Puff pastry sheets
- Pesto sauce
- Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Assembly: Spread pesto and sprinkle sun-dried tomatoes on a rolled-out pastry sheet. Roll, slice, and bake.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Ingredients:
- Asparagus spears
- Prosciutto slices
Assembly: Wrap each asparagus spear with a slice of prosciutto. Roast until asparagus is tender.
Deviled Eggs with Caviar
Ingredients:
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Caviar
Assembly: Slice eggs in half, remove yolks, mix with mayo and mustard, and pipe back into egg whites. Top with a small spoonful of caviar.
Cranberry and Goat Cheese Crostini
Ingredients:
- Baguette slices
- Goat cheese
- Cranberry sauce
- Fresh thyme leaves
Assembly: Toast baguette slices, spread with goat cheese, top with cranberry sauce, and sprinkle with thyme.
Quinoa-Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients:
- Bell peppers
- Cooked quinoa
- Black beans
- Corn kernels
- Avocado, diced
- Cilantro, chopped
Assembly: Hollow out bell peppers, fill with quinoa mixture, and bake until peppers are tender.
Shrimp Cocktail with Tangy Cocktail Sauce
Ingredients:
- Large shrimp, cooked and peeled
- Cocktail sauce (ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce)
Assembly: Arrange shrimp around a bowl of cocktail sauce for dipping.
Cucumber and Dill Canapés
Ingredients:
- Cucumber slices
- Cream cheese
- Fresh dill, chopped
- Smoked salmon (optional)
Assembly: Spread cream cheese on cucumber slices, sprinkle with dill, and top with a small piece of smoked salmon if desired.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Ingredients:
- Chickpeas
- Roasted red peppers
- Garlic, minced
- Tahini
- Lemon juice
Assembly: Blend chickpeas, roasted red peppers, garlic, tahini, and lemon juice until smooth. Serve with pita wedges.
Pear, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Salad
Ingredients:
- Mixed salad greens
- Pears, sliced
- Walnuts, toasted
- Blue cheese, crumbled
- Balsamic vinaigrette
Assembly: Toss salad greens with pears, walnuts, and blue cheese. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.
Brie and Cranberry Phyllo Cups
Ingredients:
- Mini phyllo cups
- Brie cheese
- Cranberry sauce
Assembly: Fill each phyllo cup with a small piece of brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce. Bake until cheese is melted.
Avocado and Pomegranate Salsa
Ingredients:
- Avocado, diced
- Pomegranate seeds
- Red onion, finely chopped
- Cilantro, chopped
- Lime juice
Assembly: Combine avocado, pomegranate seeds, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. Serve with tortilla chips.
Cauliflower Tots with Spicy Aioli
Ingredients:
- Cauliflower, grated
- Bread crumbs
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Egg
- Paprika
- Mayonnaise
- Sriracha
Assembly: Mix grated cauliflower, bread crumbs, Parmesan, and egg. Form into tots and bake. For aioli, combine mayonnaise and sriracha.
Herbed Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
Ingredients:
- Dates, pitted
- Goat cheese
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme or rosemary), chopped
- Honey (optional)
Assembly: Stuff each date with goat cheese and herbs. Drizzle with honey if desired.
Spinach and Feta Phyllo Triangles
Ingredients:
- Phyllo pastry sheets
- Spinach, cooked and chopped
- Feta cheese, crumbled
Assembly: Cut phyllo sheets into squares, fill with spinach and feta mixture, and fold into triangles. Bake until golden.
Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball
Ingredients:
- Cream cheese
- Dried cranberries, chopped
- Walnuts, chopped
- Green onions, chopped
Assembly: Mix cream cheese, cranberries, walnuts, and green onions. Shape into a ball and roll in extra walnuts. Serve with crackers.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Maple Glaze
Ingredients:
- Dates, pitted
- Bacon slices, cut in half
- Maple syrup
Assembly: Wrap each date with half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Bake until bacon is crispy and drizzle with maple syrup.
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These recipes are sure to add a touch of glamour to your holiday spread without causing a culinary frenzy. Enjoy your festive feasting!
