Christmas Tree Cheese Platter Food

CHRISTMAS TREE CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Place the cheese cubes and grapes in rows on a platter or cheese board to resemble a Christmas tree shape. Place cheese in the order listed above ending with the Monterey jack.
• Arrange the thyme springs through out the grapes on the platter like in the photo of the recipe.
• Roll the cream cheese spread into a ball and then roll in the parsley to coat. Place at the top of the tree. Place the celery piece at the bottom of the tree creating the trunk.

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 CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, onion, and Worcestershire sauce together in a bowl with an electric mixer until completely blended. Turn cheese mixture onto a sheet of waxed paper and form it into the shape of a Christmas tree. Refrigerate cheese 'tree' until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Cut bell pepper into thin strips and 1 star shape.
• Press parsley into cheese tree to cover. Press bell pepper strips in a row to form a 'garland'. Make another 'garland' using chopped pecans. Place bell pepper star at the top of the 'tree'. Carefully transfer 'tree' to a serving platter.

CHRISTMAS TREE FRUIT PLATTER

Steps:

• Create an outline of a tree shape using the grapes on a cutting board or serving platter. Begin at the top point of the tree and fan the grapes out into a triangular pattern. Create 3 triangular sections, each slightly larger than the last. Fill in each section with kiwi slices.
• Arrange sliced strawberries across the tree shape to create a garland effect. Add pomegranate seeds randomly all over the arranged fruit to look like ornaments.
• Place pineapple slices onto a cutting board. Use small cookie cutters to cut out a star shape and some several small ornament shapes. Place the star at the top of the tree shape, and decorate the rest of the tree with the pineapple ornaments.
• Arrange dates at the bottom of the tree to look like a trunk. Serve immediately, or keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

SIMPLE CHRISTMAS TREE CHEESE BOARD

Steps:

• Beginning with the bottom layer of the tree by adding the olives in a large, flat trapezoid shape (or to the bottom quarter of your Christmas tree board).
• Next, add the prosciutto in a slightly smaller trapezoid. The key to making this cheese board look great is to make it look abundant- don't be afraid to stack and fold the prosciutto.
• Next, add the yellow cheddar cubes in another large (but slightly smaller than the last) trapezoid. Now add the white cheddar cubes in a slightly smaller trapezoid on top of the yellow cheddar.
• Then finish the top of the tree with a small triangle of grapes.
• Cut a slice of cheddar cheese (white or yellow) into a star shape and place it at the top of the tree.
• Place the tomatoes or cranberries throughout the tree to resemble ornaments.
• Next, place a small rectangle of almonds at the bottom of the tree to resemble the tree trunk.
• Finally, Garnish with 1-inch long pieces of rosemary to really enhance the "tree" look.
• (Optional) Add a bow at the top of the tree for a festive decorative look
• Serve immediately alongside crackers or baguette, if desired.

ANTIPASTO CHEESE BALL CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• In a bowl combine all the ingredients for the dip and mix until the ingredients are well combined.
• Place a piece of non-stick plastic wrap on a clean bench top or work surface. Scoop the cream cheese mixture out onto the plastic wrap and completely cover with another piece of wrap (you may need two pieces to cover it).
• Use your hands to mould the cream cheese into a tree shape. Then, carefully pick up the tree with one hand and peel off the plastic wrap on the bottom of the tree with your other hand. Place the tree straight onto a serving plate.
• Use a cake spatula to smooth the edges. Decorate with olives, sun-dried tomatoes and rosemary leaves/sprigs, lightly pressing each element into the cream cheese to ensure they stay on. Brush with some sun dried tomato oil from the jar (optional but adds even more flavour)!
• Top with a star cut out of a yellow or orange bell pepper OR a thick slice of cheese.
• Serve with crackers of your choice, salami and prosciutto slices rolled up!
• Recipe Notes.
• The cream cheese is more stable in a wider tree shape rather than a tall, thin tree. The taller tree folds over and collapses.
• If you find your cream cheese has softened too much and won't hold its shape, refrigerate it until it thickens again (about 20 minutes).
• Pat dry each olive and sun dried tomato on a sheet of paper towel before decorating your tree to make sure they stay on, or they may slide off if covered in oil from the jar.