Holiday Appetizers // Meals With Maria

 

ROASTED TOMATO CROSTINI WITH RICOTTA

Roasted Tomato Crostini with Ricotta

INGREDIENTS

SCALE
  • 5 cloves of garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon salt (plus extra for sprinkling)
  • Parisian loaf or French baguette (pre-cut or thinly sliced)
  • 1 cup ricotta
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Store bought or home made balsamic glaze

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

  2. If using fresh garlic, mince the cloves. Divide the minced garlic into two portions.

  3. In a small bowl, combine half of the minced garlic with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Set aside.

  4. In a 9×13 baking dish, place the cherry tomatoes. Add the remaining half of the minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt. Toss to coat the tomatoes.

  5. Roast the tomatoes in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Roast until the tomatoes pop and are softened. Allow them to cool.

  6. While the tomatoes are cooling, toast the crostinis. Place thinly sliced bread on a lined baking sheet. Brush the slices with the garlic and olive oil mixture. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 7 to 10 minutes or until the bread is toasted.

  7. In a blender, combine ricotta, chopped basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Blend until well combined and smooth.

  8. Once the crostinis are cooled, spread the ricotta mixture on top.

  9. Add the roasted tomatoes on each crostini. Customize based on your preference.

  10. Optionally, top with sliced fresh basil for a festive touch.

  11. Drizzle balsamic glaze over the top.

  12. Serve and enjoy these flavorful and festive Roasted Tomato and Ricotta Crostinis!

  13. Pecan Apricot Goat Cheese Log

  14. INGREDIENTS

    SCALE

    • 1 4oz plain goat cheese log
    • 1/4 cup apricot jam (Or you can use your favorite jam. Try raspberry for a more festive look)
    • 1/3 cup crushed pecans
    • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley for topping
    • Ritz crackers or similar for serving

    • INSTRUCTIONS

      1. Pour the jam and nuts on to a plates
      2. Roll the goat cheese log in the jam. Yes, this will get messy, it’s ok.
      3. Roll the jammy goat cheese in the nuts.
      4. Place the remaining jam on the plate you plan to serve the cheese and place the cheese log on top.
      5. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with ritz crackers or similar.

    • Pigs in a blanket wreathe

    • INGREDIENTS

      SCALE
      • 3 roll of crescent roll dough
      • Miniature sausages or little smokies (quantity based on preference)
      • 6 tablespoon Melted butter
      • 3 teaspoon Parmesan cheese (grated)
      • 1 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
      • 1 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
      • 3/4 teaspoon Pepper
      • 3/4 teaspoon Salt

      • INSTRUCTIONS

        1. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the crescent roll dough package (typically around 325°F).
        2. Unroll the crescent roll dough and cut it into strips using a pizza cutter. Aim for even-sized strips for uniform pigs in a blanket.
        3. If using miniature sausages, slice each sausage in half lengthwise to make smaller pieces. Alternatively, regular-sized hot dogs can be sliced into smaller sections.
        4. Roll each miniature sausage or hot dog with a strip of crescent roll dough. Utilize approximately half of each strip to cover one pig.
        5. Arrange the rolled pigs in a circle shape on a baking sheet, creating a wreath pattern.
        6. Bake in the preheated oven for the time specified on the crescent roll dough package. Ensure the crescent rolls are cooked through.
        7. Once baked, transfer the wreath to a festive plate.
        8. In a bowl, mix melted butter with grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, pepper, and salt.
        9. Brush the melted butter mixture over the warm pigs in a blanket wreath for added flavor and appeal.
        10. Serve warm and watch your festive creation disappear like hotcakes at your holiday gathering!
        Slow-Cooker BBQ chicken wings

      • INGREDIENTS

        • Few pounds of chicken wings
        • Barbecue sauce (leftover or preferred brand)
        • Fresh parsley, minced
        • Ranch dressing (for serving)

        • INSTRUCTIONS

          1. Place the chicken wings in the slow cooker, adjusting the quantity based on your crowd size.
          2. Generously smother the chicken wings with barbecue sauce, ensuring they are well-covered. Utilize leftover barbecue sauce from the fridge or a fresh container.
          3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3 hours until the wings are fully cooked through and tender, practically falling off the bone.
          4. Preheat the oven broiler.
          5. Transfer the cooked wings to a lined baking sheet.
          6. Brush the wings with additional barbecue sauce, ensuring an even coating on one side.
          7. Broil the wings for 5 minutes, then flip them over.
          8. Brush the other side with more barbecue sauce and broil for another 5 minutes.
          9. Repeat the process, alternating sides and brushing with barbecue sauce, for a total of 20 minutes in the broiler. This step crisps up the outside of the wings, providing a delightful coating.
          10. Sprinkle minced parsley over the wings for a festive touch, creating a red and green contrast.
          11. Serve the slow cooker barbecue chicken wings with a side of ranch dressing for a delicious appetizer that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser 

        • Slow Cooker Festive Ham 

        • INGREDIENTS

          SCALE
          • 1 bone-in ham
          • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
          • 3/4 cup honey
          • 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
          • 1/4 cup apple juice

          • INSTRUCTIONS

            1. Begin early, as this is an 8-hour crock pot recipe.
            2. Trim any excess fat from the ham.
            3. Make cuts in the ham about 1/2 inch apart and 1/4 inch deep in a diamond-shaped pattern.
            4. Place the ham into the slow cooker.
            5. In a bowl, mix together the light brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and apple juice to make a glaze.
            6. Pour the glaze over the ham in the slow cooker.
            7. Cook on low for 8 hours or until the ham is tender, juicy, and falling apart.
            8. Once done, carve or shred the ham and serve.

          • Easy Cannoli Dip

          • INGREDIENTS

            SCALE
            • 8 oz packaged cream cheese, at room temperature
            • 2 cups ricotta cheese
            • 1 1/2 cups confectioner sugar
            • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
            • 1 cup miniature sweet chocolate chips
            • Cannoli chips, broken up cannolis, or broken up waffle cones for dipping

            • INSTRUCTIONS

              1. In a mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese and ricotta cheese. Beat the mixture together until smooth.

              2. Add the confectioner sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl. Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved and incorporated.

              3. Fold in the miniature sweet chocolate chips into the mixture.

              4. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to chill.

              5. Once chilled, take it out and, if desired, cover the dip with a few more miniature chocolate chips.

              6. Serve the cannoli dip with various dipping options. You can use cannoli chips, regular unfilled cannoli (broken into pieces), or waffle cones (broken into little pieces).

              7. Enjoy the delicious cannoli dip with your favorite dippers!

              8. Mini Cheesecakes With Nilla Wafers

              9. INGREDIENTS

                SCALE
                • 8 oz softened cream cheese
                • 1/4 cup sour cream
                • 1/4 cup sugar
                • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
                • 1 egg
                • 36 Nilla Wafers
                • Store bought whipped cream or homemade
                • 36 Raspberries (or cherry pie filling as a budget friendly alternative)
                • Powdered sugar for dusting

                • INSTRUCTIONS

                  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

                  2. In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla, and egg. Mix until well combined. Don’t worry if there are a few small clumps.

                  3. Grease your mini muffin silicone tin. Place a Nilla Wafer at the bottom of each cup, creating the crust for your mini cheesecakes.

                  4. Pour the cheesecake mixture into each cup, filling it to the top.

                  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your oven and the size of your muffin tin. The goal is not to brown the tops but to ensure they are cooked through.

                  6. Allow the mini cheesecakes to cool completely.

                  7. Top each mini cheesecake with whipped cream and a raspberry or cherry pie filling.

                  8. Optionally, create a snowy effect by dusting powdered sugar over the top.

                  9. Serve and enjoy these festive and delightful mini cheesecakes!

              10. https://youtu.be/peI0ics1NXk?si=yRZAEE9u7Nrj_ytx

              11. Christmas Food

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