#festiveappetizers

Sundried Tomato Feta Filo Cups Ingredients: 7 oz (200g) feta cheese, crumbled 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes, finely chopped A handful of fresh thyme leaves, plus extra for garnish 1 teaspoon chili flakes 2 teaspoons honey (or hot honey sauce) 3 sheets filo (phyllo) pastry Olive oil, for brushing and greasing Directions: Mix the Filling: Preheat the oven to 360°F (180°C) with the fan on. In a large bowl, combine the crumbled feta, chopped sundried tomatoes, thyme, chili flakes, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix well. Prepare the Pastry Cups: Lightly grease a mini muffin tin. Lay out one sheet of filo pastry on a flat surface and brush with olive oil. Layer a second sheet on top, brush with more olive oil, then add the third sheet of filo on top. Slice the layered sheets into small squares that will fit into the muffin tin cups. Fill the Cups: Press each filo square gently into the holes of the mini muffin tin to form cups. Spoon the sundried tomato and feta mixture into each cup. Bake: Transfer to the oven and bake for about 10 minutes or until the pastry is golden and crisp. Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the filo cups from the muffin tin and place them on a serving plate. Drizzle with additional honey and sprinkle with fresh thyme before serving. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes Kcal: 90 kcal per cup | Servings: 12 filo cups These Sundried Tomato Feta Filo Cups combine the crisp texture of delicate filo pastry with the rich flavors of sundried tomatoes, creamy feta, and a hint of thyme. A touch of honey adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the savory filling. They’re easy to make yet look and taste sophisticated, perfect for impressing guests at any event. Ideal for holiday parties, casual gatherings, or as part of a Mediterranean-inspired spread, these filo cups are as beautiful as they are delicious. The golden, flaky pastry encases a flavorful filling that will have everyone reaching for more. Serve them warm with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of thyme for the perfect finishing touch!

Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Ingredients: Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip: 2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated (divided) 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature (full-fat or Neufchatel) 1/4 heaping cup cranberry sauce (canned, leftover, or homemade) 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (frozen cranberries can be substituted, do not thaw) 1/8- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional, fresh or ground) Optional Homemade Cranberry Sauce: 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries (do not thaw) 1 cup sugar (natural cane sugar or white sugar) 3 tablespoons orange juice (fresh squeezed or store-bought) 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh is best) 1/4 cup water Directions: Optional Homemade Cranberry Sauce: Remove 1/2 cup of cranberries for the dip. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining cranberries, sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, and water. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries start to burst. Some cranberries will remain whole while others break down. Let the cranberry sauce cool and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To Make the Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) or 350°F (175°C) for convection ovens. Lightly spray a 1 1/2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. In a medium-large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and 1 3/4 cups of grated cheddar cheese. If desired, stir in the nutmeg to taste (about 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon). Gently fold in the cranberry sauce and the reserved 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries. Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining 1/4 cup of grated cheddar cheese. Bake for 18-23 minutes (or 15 minutes for convection) until bubbly in the middle and golden around the edges. Cover with foil if the top is browning too quickly. A few minutes before removing from the oven, sprinkle additional cheddar cheese on top and remove the foil to allow the cheese to brown slightly. Serve warm with crostini, crackers, or pita chips. For an extra touch, grate a little fresh nutmeg over the top before serving. Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus optional sauce cooking time) Cook Time: 18-23 minutes Total Time: 30-35 minutes Kcal: 250 kcal per serving Servings: 8 servings This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is the ultimate combination of savory and sweet. The rich cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese create a creamy base, while the cranberry sauce adds a tangy and fruity burst of flavor. Baked until bubbly and golden, this warm dip is perfect for any holiday gathering. The fresh cranberries on top add a beautiful pop of color, making this dish as visually appealing as it is delicious. Serve this dip with crostini, crackers, or pita chips for a satisfying and comforting appetizer that will be the star of your party. The creamy texture, combined with the sweet and tart cranberries, makes this dip a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a festive celebration or cozying up for a night in, this dip will deliver on both flavor and presentation.

Cranberry & Brie Bites Ingredients: 400 g (14 oz) ready-rolled puff pastry 1 egg, lightly whisked 150 g (5.3 oz) Brie cheese 6 tablespoons cranberry sauce Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish Directions: Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone liner. Prepare Pastry: Unroll the puff pastry and brush the surface with the whisked egg. Cut the pastry into approximately 40 small rectangles. Layer Pastry Rectangles: Stack one rectangle on top of another to create a double layer and repeat with remaining rectangles until you have 20 doubled-up pieces. Bake Pastry: Arrange the doubled-up rectangles on the prepared baking tray and bake for 10 minutes, or until golden and puffed. Remove from oven. Add Brie: Slice the Brie into small pieces and place one piece on top of each pastry. Return to the oven for 1–2 minutes, just until the Brie begins to melt. Garnish and Serve: Remove the pastry bites from the oven, place on a serving plate, and top each with a small dollop of cranberry sauce and a few fresh thyme leaves. Serve warm. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 12 minutes Total Time: 22 minutes Kcal: 60 kcal per bite Servings: 20 bites These Cranberry & Brie Bites are a festive and delicious addition to any holiday gathering. With flaky puff pastry, creamy melted Brie, and a touch of tangy cranberry sauce, each bite combines textures and flavors that are sure to impress. The garnish of fresh thyme adds a hint of herbal brightness, making these bites not only tasty but also visually appealing. Ideal for entertaining, these bites are easy to prepare and look stunning on any appetizer platter. Serve them warm for a crowd-pleasing treat that’s perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or even a cozy night in.

Baked Cheddar Cranberry Delight This Baked Cheddar Cranberry Delight is a perfect blend of creamy and fruity flavors, ideal for any festive occasion. The extra-sharp cheddar and cream cheese create a rich base, while the cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries provide a delightful burst. Baked until golden and bubbly, this dip is a sure hit at gatherings. Ingredients: - 2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated (divided) - 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature (full-fat or Neufchatel) - ¼ heaping cup cranberry sauce (canned, leftover, or homemade) - ½ cup fresh cranberries (frozen cranberries can be substituted, do not thaw) - ?-¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional, fresh or ground) Optional Homemade Cranberry Sauce: - 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries (do not thaw) - 1 cup sugar (natural cane sugar or white sugar) - 3 tablespoons orange juice (fresh squeezed or store-bought) - 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh is best) - ¼ cup water Directions: Optional Homemade Cranberry Sauce: 1. Remove ½ cup of cranberries for the dip. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining cranberries, sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, and water. 2. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries begin to burst. Some cranberries will remain whole, while others will break down. 3. Let the cranberry sauce cool and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To Make the Cheddar Cranberry Delight: 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) or 350°F (175°C) for convection ovens. Lightly spray a 1 ½-quart baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In a medium-large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and 1 ¾ cups of grated cheddar cheese. If desired, stir in the nutmeg to taste (about ? to ½ teaspoon). 3. Gently fold in the cranberry sauce and the reserved ½ cup of fresh cranberries. 4. Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining ¼ cup of grated cheddar cheese. 5. Bake for 18-23 minutes (or 15 minutes for convection) until bubbly in the middle and golden around the edges. Cover with foil if the top is browning too quickly. 6. A few minutes before removing from the oven, sprinkle additional cheddar cheese on top and remove the foil to allow the cheese to brown slightly. 7. Serve warm with crostini, spliters, or pita chips. For an extra touch, grate a little fresh nutmeg over the top before serving. Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus optional sauce cooking time) Cook Time: 18-23 minutes Total Time: 30-35 minutes Kcal: 250 kcal per serving Servings: 8 servings

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Try these holiday recipes this season:Appetizer: Ricotta and Prosciutto Cracker Looking for a quick and delicious holiday appetizer? Look no further. Try out our irresistible Ricotta and Prosciutto Cracker Appetizer - guaranteed to impress your loved ones.