The holiday season is a time for creating lasting memories and celebrating time-honored traditions. This often includes gatherings, ranging from formal dinner parties to casual potlucks. If you’re planning to entertain this holiday season, to make your appetizers merry and light aim to feature plenty of fresh produce and lean proteins paired with festive flavors. 

For a handheld hors d'oeuvres, serve up sweet potato toasts, featuring creamy ricotta, tangy cranberries and pecans. Simply roast sliced sweet potato rounds and top each with ricotta, cranberries for a pop of color and pecans for added crunch.  

Another great finger food option is a crudité grazing board. Artfully arrange a mixture of raw and roasted vegetables. To simplify preparation, pick-up a Food City veggie tray. For the roasted vegetables try options like carrots, parsnips, asparagus, baby potatoes, French style green beans, or beets. You can serve these warm or cook and chill to serve later. Add rosemary and fresh cranberries for a holiday inspired look.  Serve alongside a variety of dipping choices.  

No holiday party is complete without a charcuterie board. For an eye-catching appetizer, serve your guests a sharable board featuring an array of Culinary Tours cheeses, paired with vibrant fruits for a sweet and savory contrast. Start with three different cheeses to offer different textures and flavors: include a soft, spreadable cheese such as camembert or brie, a firm cheese like cheddar or gouda and a blue cheese. Fill in with plenty of seasonal fresh fruit choices like oranges, pomegranates and one or two dried fruits, such as apricots or cranberries.  

If looking for an option to elevate small bites feature a surf and turf platter.  Let Food City Seafood Specialist assist with picking out the best catch. A crowd favorite is steamed shrimp cocktail paired with Food City signature cocktail sauce for dipping.  For the turf portion try steak crostini with horseradish whip and finish with festive pomegranate arils. Featuring lean meat choices can add protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins to your spread. 

For more inspiration for “merry and light” dishes to serve up this holiday season, visit our Meals and Recipe Center.