Hello Everyone!!!

It’s the holiday season and it’s the biggest time of the year where we invite our family and friends over to celebrate with some holiday cheer. The lights are up and the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg swirl throughout the house making it so inviting. It’s also the time we really like to WOW our guests with delicious food and spirits.

Throughout the holidays everyone is so busy, and we would all love to take the time to make the fanciest foods and impress our guests but let’s face it, we just don’t always have time. So, I put together some appetizer ideas that are easy and elegant so you get that WOW from your guests and the best part is, they will think you worked all day to put them together! It will be only you and I that will know that these recipes are easy peezy!

Here is my first appetizer…

I absolutely LOVE BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella! It’s the prefect snack, because it’s so light and has a mild flavor and such a creamy texture! There are so many things you can do with it. I got a package of Crostini’s from our Bakery Department add a slice of BelGioioso Fresh Sliced Mozzarella then I top it off with a variety of items from sweet to salty and they all taste amazing! There’s something for everyone making it perfect for Holiday gatherings. Here’s a few of ideas that I tried with my fresh Mozzarella: 

• Zucchini ribbons and roasted red pepper slices
• Diced assorted fruit (Strawberry, Kiwi and Pineapple)
• Hard Salami with Pickled Asparagus
• Prosciutto slice with Green Olive Bruschetta
• Salami and chopped olives (Green or Black)

My next Appetizer is Antipasto Bites. So elegant looking but so easy to make. I found these fun skewers with a cute knot on the end that added an even more elegant look! I highly recommend the fresh basil on these as well, it really compliments the fresh mozzarella pearl very well! Again, there are so many items you can place on your skewers so get creative and add color. Don’t be afraid to mix and match items or try using different types of olives and meats to add more variety for your guests.  

Now I have exciting news for the holiday!!! BelGioiso Master Cheesemakers is proud to present their newest cheese “Artigiano” which means “Artisan” in Italy. They have 3 new flavors.

• Classico – It is pleasantly nutty and sweet and perfectly aged.
• Vino Rosso – Soaked in fine Red Wine with Sweet notes & Nutty Flavor
• Aged Balsamic & Cipolline Onion – Enrobed in Balsamic Vinegar with a hint of Cipolline Onions. Slightly Sweet & Savory Flavor.

The best way to eat Artigiano is with the rind. This is where the aged Balsamic and onions soak into the cheese and create a distinctive flavor. The white dots on the rinds are calcium crystals and that is a sign of properly aged cheese. They add some pleasant crunchiness to the firm, crumbly body. I love this cheese because it’s easy to cut up into pieces and put on a fancy serving tray with some nuts or crackers for your guests to munch on. 

Now clearly at any party your guests get thirsty and I have the perfect item to serve at your next party.  It is so refreshing, and the flavor profile goes with anything. Kristian Regal is a healthy, non-alcoholic, all-natural, sparkling juice with no preservatives or artificial flavors. It has big flavor but not a whole lot of calories. This year for your holiday needs they have just added two new flavors to their family.

• Strawberry Apple Lemon (my absolute favorite!!!!)
• Apple Mango Passion Fruit

It’s great for the upcoming holidays, anniversaries, family reunions and the best part is, it’s great for any day of the week! 

I hope you have a very safe and happy holiday and I wish you all a very Happy New Year!!!

Jayne,
Coborn’s, Inc. Merchandising Specialist Team Manager – Bakery & Deli