Stress free entertaining: Christmas, New Years Eve and New Year’s Day.
Get cooking with these Well-Tested Recipes.
Creative, Healthy and Inspiring. The holiday season continues as we ring in the new 2025 year!
30 Must-Make Crave-Worthy Appetizers for People Who Love Party Food!
Let’s start with a CHEESY selection – recipes that incorporate cheese in various ways.
A flavor bomb – the perfect pick-up appetizer to wow your guests!
Unami richness of Caesar Flavors make these deviled eggs sing with a savory and zesty flavor. Garnished with Shaved Parmesan Shards and Crispy Kale Ribbons
Tapas ~ little bites of tasty foods with bold flavors from Spain. Crispy baguette slices covered with a quick sauté of mushrooms, spiked with sherry & brandy and topped with a delicious Spanish cheese until melted and bubbly.
Many at the class raved about the the Smoked Paprika Aioli – a flavorful, garlicky mayonnaise… added a fabulous creamy & flavorful dimension to the crostinis.
I could eat a dozen of these guys and be very happy! The perfect pick-up appetizer with flavors all will devour.
To assemble: cut bread rounds – gluten free or regular, give them a quick toast, then top with marinara, a warm spinach chicken mini meat ball and top off with fontina cheese fondue. Add a skewer and serve.
Loads of Spinach mixed in to Freshly Ground Chicken – that you grind! This makes the most delicious and nutritious meatballs with an amazing texture.
A creative play on the beloved “Linzer Cookie” – savory, cheesy melt-in-your-mouth shortbread sandwiched with Tomato Jam!
Your company will be amazed! Makes a spectacular and inventive hors d’oeuvre for you next gathering or party.
Also serve the thins open-faced – with a dollop of jam and a chunk of your favorite cheese.
I’m turning the Linzer Cookie upside down – what is traditionally a sweet cookie is now a savory upscale treat!
Softened Garlic and Fresh Chives makes this Classic Fondue special!
While fondue might be the ultimate party food- I’m in the mood for it’s silky, stingy texture and assertive flavor, and have decided to have a fondue night at home. Indulgent, okay just a little, but it only sounds fancy – it’s incredible simple to make!
I really got into the idea and decided to make these mini dinner rolls for dunking (bread cubes will do too!)
I’m serving the tacos on a vintage serving board with extra Caesar dressing on the side for drizzling.
Ready for a Umami-rich treat? A creative genius recipe that is so delicious and low in carbs!All your favorite Caesar Salad Ingredients – I love to add roasted red peppers too.
Gluten Free – no problem! I have used gluten free bread for the garlic croutons. Eat these immediately after preparing!
Delectable Deviled Eggs: Grainy Mustard, Purple Scallions, Thyme and a Crisp and Lacy Baked Cheese Frico Makes Them Pungent and Zesty. Learn how to make the perfect hard boiled eggs – don’t boil them… steam them!
Blistered Shishito Peppers are cut in half and stuffed with a medley of Mediterranean ingredients for an addictive appetizer. Shishito Peppers are now widely available – perfect vegetarian pick- up appetizer!
The ultimate healthy appetizer – a crisp garlicky baguette slice covered with oozing brie cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and a touch of spiked mayo. Rich and satisfying – these crostini will disappear as quickly as they are served!
A crowd-pleasing Melty-Cheese Appetizer that’s easy to make and fun to eat!
Sauté Red Onions low & slow, add apples and seasonings and simply top a wheel of brie and bake.
A wonderful and easy appetizer for the holidays all will enjoy! Spread on toasted bread and soak up all the amazing flavors. Cooks slowly in the oven until the peppers actually melt into the olive oil. Serve with toasted pita triangles or toasted baguette slices.
Killer Dip that won’t kill your waistline! This delicious warm dip is a perfect appetizer for holidays, gatherings & game day! Asparagus replaces artichokes for a flavor-twist. A bevy of vegetables. Asparagus seems to be in many markets at this time… could substitute other green veggies like broccolini.
Deeply fragrant mushrooms team with flavorful Tuscan spices – coated with a wine-lemon-olive oil marinade. Tangy, delicious, and easy to make. Simplicity is central to the Tuscan cuisine. A wonderful appetizer that tops baguette slices – or any good bread.
Shrimp is always a party pleaser! Cooks quickly – Sautéed Shrimp in a Hearty Garlic Herbal Butter Sauce Skewered with a Cube of Sourdough Bread to Soak up the Flavors.
I’ve added a boost of flavor with fresh herbs, scallions and jalapeño.
The perfect Holiday or Party Appetizer!
Delectable with Mexican Spices – these caps are stuffed with flavor! Lots of colorful vegetables and ground turkey. A healthy approach to stuffed mushrooms ~ serve with a dollop of sour cream and tomatillo salsa. A delicious meal, snack or appetizer.
A Comeback for a Classic Dish! This fresh, seafood-rich trendsetter recipe of the early 20th century takes on a modern flair with Fresh (not frozen) Pink Shrimp and a zippy Louis Sauce.
Here I serve as a salad – for the Holidays ~ add shrimps and sauce on a platter – skewer them , and watch them disappear!
Another party-pleaser! An Irresistible Zesty Pick-Up Appetizer ~ Crispy, crunchy and creamy – all the textures come together; a special recipe for Holiday Entertaining… Gluten Free. A creative twist.
Jumbo Lump Crabmeat’s flavor is left to shine… additions are bright and flavorful: mango, red pepper, chives, jalapeño, lime juice and and the littlest bit of mayo to bind.
No one will be able to resist these savory lollipops. Thin sliced, luminous smoked salmon around zesty cream cheese – the perfect pick-up appetizer for New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.
Crispy, Crunchy and Drenched in Homemade Panko Crumbs ~ these delicious morsels are baked on a rack, not deep fried. I’m craving something crispy & sweet yet savory – these Popcorn Shrimp fit the bill! (Yes ok to use packaged panko.)
Plunge them into this luscious & piquant Lemony Aioli Dip (recipe)
Dip Into This! A Updated, Healthy Lightened-Up Roast Garlic and Onion Dip.
Need holiday dip that doesn’t break the calorie bank?
A real crowd pleaser – there won’t be any leftovers! This is a REDUX recipe – a healthier version of Lipton Soup Mix Dip.
Serve with crudités as well.
The Ultimate Appetizer with Southern Charm ~ Grilled Chicken with Pecans and a Maple-Bourbon Glaze on top of crisp Buttermilk Waffles and Sweet and Sour Sautéed Collard Greens. See: Karen’s Buttermilk Waffles and Sautéed Collard Greens – Sweet and Sour
Add some crunch to any gathering. Raw cashews are soaked for easier digestion and are cooked in a slow oven until golden and crispy. Coat with sweet and savory, addictive seasonings: curry powder, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, smoked paprika, pink sea salt, coconut nectar, coconut palm sugar and unsweetened shredded coconut.
Hummus gets a flavor boost with aromatic and a bit fiery Harissa (an easy to make versatile condiment.) Harrisa is a flavor-bomb sauce/condiment and pairs wonderfully with mellow hummus – a North African spicy chili paste — the Sriracha of the Middle East. Serve with crudités, pita and interesting tortilla chips (mine are beet flavored.)
More Crostini:
A wonderful spread with roasted garlic cloves for a mellow touch. Add some zest with the balsamic-honey drizzle. Holiday Entertaining just got a little easier with this tempting pâté – the perfect appetizer!
This Garlic – flavored pâté (a creamy, composed dip) makes a great start to any meal as it awakens your taste buds! Perfect for any party, toast up your favorite bread, and add some crudité – serve extra roasted garlic cloves on the platter. Or, on crostini (above.)
THE Fall Appetizer (Winter too!)– almost too pretty to eat featuring in-season Fresh Figs.
Goat Cheese is whipped with Roasted Butternut Squash and topped with Fresh Figs, Maple-Balsamic Drizzle and Fresh Rosemary. Satisfying, Easy and Real Crowd Pleasers! Just filling enough with healthful ingredients
Latkes!
Hanukkah Latkes are that ethereal treat; a potato mixture made by dropping large tablespoons into a skillet of shimmering, hot oil.
NEW! Crispy strands of Potatoes combined with Pan-roasted Garlic, Onion and Kale. A foolproof recipe for this new classic crispy variation.
New! My fabulous Lacy Garlic Latkes with a Special Topping: Chive & Dill Herbed Goat Cheese with Smoked Trout… a luxurious & delicious recipe!
Latkes are crispy, naturally sweet, salty and irresistible— so good, it’s a shame we wait all year to enjoy them!
I use 2 kinds of potatoes, include veggies and 3 kinds of onions in the batter.
For a Gluten-Free version, simply use a all-purpose gluten free flour blend in place of the flour for great results.
A new twist for your Potato Pancake repertoire.
Butternut Squash with warm spices makes a delicious sweet latke. These latkes have a pinch of sugar, cinnamon and grated nutmeg (grated apple too!) I love the flavor of these warm spices. Crispy, naturally sweet, salty and irresistible!
Looking for the perfect applesauce recipe? Homemade Applesauce – My Favorite TRY this one!
Happy Holidays!
Karen
Caesar Deviled Eggs with Crispy Kale Ribbons
Ingredients
Deviled Eggs:
- 6 large hard boiled eggs*, I use pasture raised, (see "steamed" recipe)
- 6 tablespoons Caesar Dressing*, homemade
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon grainy dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce*
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan Reggiano, finely grated, divided
- 4 cranks freshly cracked black pepper
- 6 shavings Parmesan Reggiano, 1/2" x 1", cut in half; for 12 garnishes
Instructions
Steam Eggs:
- Make – hard boiled eggs, see recipe: How to Hard-Boil Eggs: Best Way Is To Steam Them! The Shells Will Just Slip Off!!
Deviled Eggs:
- Cut peeled eggs in half lengthwise. Add all the yolks to a medium sized bowl. Mash the yolks with a fork until fine and crumbly.Add Caesar dressing, lemon juice, grainy mustard, Worcestershire sauce, TWO tablespoons Parmesan Reggiano and black pepper.
- Combine well with a rubber spatula. Place the mixture in a pastry bag and pipe the filling into each egg white half. Alternately, mound the filling neatly into the egg white halves.
- Taste your filling! Here is your opportunity to add more of the flavors you like. Can add some minced anchovy, finely minced garlic…
Special Garnishes:
- Top each egg with a few strands on Crispy Kale Ribbons and a portion of the reserved one tablespoon finely grated parmesan.Add a parmesan shaving tucked slightly inside the filling (see photos.) Garnish with 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley for a pretty look (optional.)
Crispy Kale Ribbons:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.Strip 3 kale leaves of all stems. Lay the 3 leaves on top of each other and roll into a tight cylinder. Cut the kale across in an even 1/8 inch width. Place the kale on a parchment lined baking sheet (or silpat liner.) Rub in 1/2 teaspoon of nice olive oil and a pinch of salt. Bake until crispy, turning once for about 8 minutes. Check to make sure the strips do not brown.If making ahead of time, store extra in an airtight container
What a line up! I have made many hors d’oeuvres from this list, and more on this site. These recipes work! And more on the website. Clearly written and creative. The cheesy fondue, deviled eggs, blt crostini and modern shrimp were big hits at my last party. Want to try the Tuscan mushrooms and crab tostadas. Thank for writing the se recipes. Thomas D.
Thank you Thomas for your reviews! Such wonderful compliments! So happy to hear these hors d’oeurves are hits at you parties, hope you try many more. 😀Karen Also see: More Holiday Party Nibbles & Hors d’oeuvres for 2023
I’m impressed with this comprehensive collection of holiday goodies. So many to choose from. Like that they are not your usual appetizers. I do like recipes with flair.
That said, I must try the healthy roasted garlic dip, crostinis and latkes ( mine never come out right.). I have made numerous soups from this website, so I will try some of these appetizers. Also, love your photography and what you say about choosing food ingredients. Kendall.
Thank you Kendall for writing – Happy to hear you will try some recipes from this line-up! Also, thank you for your support, love you have successfully made my soups. Yea – I do like to talk abut ingredients, we all need to know more about purchasing healthier choices. Thank you 😀Karen