Christmas is almost here, and most people are focused on their turkey Christmas dinner while forgetting about what to serve Christmas Eve. We here at FoodsForBetterHealth have some Christmas Eve Dinner ideas to help you out with our Top 5 appetizer recipes. Make Christmas Eve 2016 one to remember with these tasty showstopper appetizers!
Lobster-Avocado Cocktail
Ingredients: 2 cups coarsely chopped lobster meat, ¼ cup chopped watercress leaves, 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced, ½ cup fresh lime juice, 2 teaspoons honey, 2 tablespoons horseradish, drained, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon, Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions: Whisk lime juice, horseradish, hone, Worcestershire sauce, tarragon, hot sauce and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Gently stir in the avocado, watercress and lobster Serve in an oversized shot glass and enjoy!
Sausage Balls
Ingredients: ½ pound pork sausage, ¼ cup milk, 1 ½ cups buttermilk, 1 ½ cups pancake/waffle mix, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons dry onion soup mix, 1/8 to ¼ teaspoon ground hot red pepper
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix together sausage, milk, and eggs in a large bowl. Add in pancake/waffle mix with ground red pepper and onion soup mix. Blend well. Break apart pieces of dough and shape into 1 inch balls. Place on lightly greased baking sheets spacing 1 ½ inches apart, and space 1 ½ inches apart. Sprinkle lightly with paprika. Bake 10 to 15 minutes in preheated oven until deep golden brown, turning the balls over half way through cooking. Remove from baking sheets, plate and enjoy!
Crostini with Thyme-Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients: 8 ½- inch thick slices baguette, cut on the bias, 4 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise, ,Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling, 1 to 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 clove garlic, Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions: Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Place tomatoes cut side up in a shallow baking dish, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and thyme. Roast for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, or until the tomatoes are slightly shrunken and very soft. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and bake until toasted. Rub the crostini with garlic and top each with a roasted tomato.
Eggplant Ricotta Bites
Ingredients: 2 large eggs, 1 medium eggplant, All-purpose flour, for dredging, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 2 large plum tomatoes, diced, ¾ cup breadcrumbs, ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, Shredded fresh basil, Kosher salt
Directions: Thinly slice eggplant into rounds, sprinkling a pinch of salt on each round. Pour some flour into a shallow dish. Beat eggs in a separate dish, and in a third dish mix the breadcrumbs and parmesan.
Dredge the eggplant in the flour, then dip in eggs and coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and working in batches, cook the eggplant until golden. Each side will take approx. 2 mins, be sure to add more oil between batches if necessary.
Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
Toss the tomatoes with the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil and the vinegar in a bowl. Spoon some ricotta onto each eggplant slice and top with tomato mixture and basil.
Pan-Fried Onion Dip
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature, ½ cup sour cream, ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 large yellow onions, ¼ cup vegetable oil, ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions: Cut the onions in half, then slice them into 1/8-inch thick half rounds. Heat the oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add onions, cayenne, salt, and paper and sauté for 10 minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally for 20 more minutes or until the onions are caramelized. Allow the onions to cool.
Place the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth. Add the onions and mix well. Taste for seasonings and serve at room temperature.
We hope to have inspired your Christmas food 2016 menus! Make the most out of your holiday with easy recipes like these, to have more time to spend with your family. Merry Christmas!
Sources:
Easy Holiday Appetizers, The Food Network web site, Last accessed December 13 2016; http://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/packages/holidays/holiday-central-appetizers/easy-elegant-holiday-appetizer-recipes.html, last accessed December 20, 2016.
Sienna F, The 78 Most Delish Holiday Appetizers, Delish web site, December 15 2016; http://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/christmas/g1713/holiday-party-appetizers/?slide=2, last accessed December 20, 2016.
