Christmas Tree Appetizers Food

CHEESE AND CRACKERS CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Put the cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, shredded Cheddar and 1 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix until thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed.
• Mound about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture on a serving plate and insert the pretzel rod vertically (the pretzel will help to hold up the structure). Add more of the cheese mixture, forming it around the pretzel rod and into a cone shape about 6 inches wide and 10 inches tall.
• Press the chopped parsley into the surface of the cheese tree to make it green, making sure to cover all the white areas. Chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Insert the pretzel sticks, mini butter crackers and almonds all over the tree, angled downward to create "branches". Take care to alternate the ingredients to add variety and depth. As you decorate the top, break the pretzel sticks in half so they are proportional to the size of the tree. Top the tree with one sliced almond for the "star". Tuck the pomegranate seeds in between the branches for festive "lights". Dust the edges with more finely chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan "snow". Serve with crackers on the side.

CHRISTMAS TREE APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Break pretzel sticks in half and poke each through the rounded side of each pita bread triangle for the "tree trunk". Spread guacamole on each pita triangle and sprinkle red bell pepper in a zigzag pattern over guacamole layer creating a decorated "tree".
• Cut yellow bell pepper into small star shapes using a small star-shaped cookie cutter. Place yellow star on top of each "tree".

CHEESY CHRISTMAS TREE PULL APART BREAD

Steps:

• To make the dough, whisk together the water, yeast and sugar. Allow to stand for 5 minutes until frothy.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour and salt and mix.
• Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and mix until the dough starts to come together. Add the egg and butter then knead for 5 minutes until the dough is soft and smooth. The dough should come away from the sides of the bowl while kneading.
• If the dough is too sticky, add 2-3 tablespoons flour, one tbsp at a time and allow to knead until the dough is smooth.
• Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm spot and allow to rise for 60-90 minutes until doubled in size.
• Once the dough has risen, break golf-ball sized pieces off and flatten in the palm of your hand. Add a cube of cheese then bring all the edges up, pinching them together then roll into balls.
• Place the dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or large sheet pan in the shape of a Christmas tree. Allow a little space in between the dough balls.
• Cover the Christmas tree bread loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise while the oven heats up.
• Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.
• Brush the risen bread with beaten egg and sprinkle with dried herbs and salt.
• Place in the oven and allow to bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
• Remove from the oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes then decorate with pomegranate rubies and rosemary (optional) before serving.

CHRISTMAS TREE APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Cover tree with lettuce leaves using toothpicks to hold lettuce in place. Cover entire tree with lettuce leaves.
• Place star on top - Kraft has cheese cut into star shapes that is very nice or you could glue a very small angel about 1 inch in size on top. Before you start using Elmer's glue, let dry overnight.
• Cut small pieces of cheese and with toothpick arrange all over tree leaving spaces in between for olives and pickles. Cut in small slices- red pimento pieces very small slices of celery filled with peanut butter. Use toothpicks to hold appetizers on tree. Also if you want, use a slice of pickle with a slice of cheese together and arrange all over tree. I sometimes use small shrimp in between pickles and olives and cheese.
• You can use small pieces of anything you want. The red pieces of pimento and the red inside of the olives show up like Christmas ornaments and makes the tree very pretty.

CHRISTMAS WREATH APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Remove the crescent roll dough from its packaging BUT DON'T UNROLL IT.
• Cut each tube into eight slices and arrange the slices in a circle on ungreased baking sheet (about 11 inches in diameter -- you can make your circle on an pizza pan).
• Bake dough wreath for 15-20 minutes or until the dough turns a lovely golden color. Cool for 5 minutes or so before gently removing wreath to a serving platter. Then, cool it completely.
• In small bowl, beat the sour cream, cream cheese together until smooth. Mix in dill, Italian seasoning and garlic. Refrigerate until ready to spread on wreath.
• Cut red pepper into festive shapes (circles, stars, etc.) You can make a bow out of the rounded bottom and strips of the pepper (see the photo for example).
• When ready to assemble, spread the cheese mixture over the baked wreath.
• Sprinkle with chopped celery.
• Arrange broccoli florets, celery leaves and red pepper pieces around the wreath to decorate.
• Attach red pepper bow and serve.