Christmas Finger Food
Ideas
Finger foods are perfect when you're hosting a casual holiday get together, attending a Christmas potluck or when you just wish to spread some holiday cheer among your family, friends and co-workers. They are easy for people to handle when they just want a nibble and usually won't even require you lug along plates or silverware for everyone. Christmas food should look as good as it tastes if you want it to be festive for the occasion. Versatile recipes make preparation easier and the spread more enticing. Does this Spark an idea?
Devilled Eggs
Eggs are a great choice because most people eat them, they are inexpensive, easy to prepare and can make quite a cheerful display. The white cup with the yellow filling is nice and bright, but try dressing it up even further for the holidays. Sprinkle half with chopped fresh green herbs over them to finish them off and the other half by sprinkling something red over it, such as finely diced red peppers, paprika or pimentos. Lay them out on a bed of leafy greens placed on a silver tray for an attractive presentation.
Finger Sandwiches
Finger sandwiches are always a hit, and you can make a variety of types without much trouble. Some people might prefer sandwiches consisting of cheeses, lunch meats or chicken salad, while others might appreciate vegetarian options such as spicy black bean hummus, cucumber or flavored cream cheese with strawberry jam. Use different breads, such as white, rye, pumpernickel and wheat, for a lovely array. Instead of cutting your finger sandwiches into boring squares or triangles, make them festive by using holiday cookie cutters to cut out sandwich shapes into stars, bells or holly leaves. Toast them or grill them before serving to add warmth and texture.
Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
They make the perfect bite-sized vehicle for a savory stuffing, since sweet cherry tomatoes go with so many different flavors. The fact that they are bright and red for a great Christmas presentation is a huge bonus. Think of things you might normally serve sliced or wedged tomatoes with, and come up with a variation of them to stuff the tomatoes. Try stuffing them with crumbled bacon and diced lettuce for a mini BLT; with mozzarella cheese and pizza spices; with chopped lunch meats mixed with a ranch dressing; or with tuna and diced onions. The only thing to remember when stuffing cherry tomatoes is to slice a very thin slice off of the bottom of the tomato with a sharp knife so it will sit upon a sturdy base and not roll around on your tray.
Vegetable Trays with Dips
Since so many people overindulge during the holiday season in heavy, rich, fattening foods, vegetable platters are often a welcome sight for more health-conscious individuals or those who are beginning to worry about the added holiday pounds. Raw vegetables are easy to handle and make a colorful display on a platter. Cut bell peppers, zucchinis, carrots, cucumbers and celery into 3- or 4-inch sticks. Add some broccoli or cauliflower florettes and cherry tomatoes. Provide an assortment of dips, such as cream cheese, onion dip and ranch for a bit of extra flavoring.
Desserts
Finger foods are not just for appetizers or potlucks. Bite-sized desserts served as finger foods make it easier for your guests to enjoy a variety of sweets. Instead of baking your cheesecake, cake batter or fruit tarts in a large pan, make them in smaller portions in mini-muffin tins. Cut your brownies into bite-sized pieces instead of large squares. Opt for smaller cookie cutters when making your sugar cookies. Pipe puddings into miniature chocolate mold cups so they can be popped right into the mouth.
Tags: cherry tomatoes, Christmas Finger, Christmas Finger Food, cookie cutters, cream cheese