Ten years ago, I flew to Brussels in mid-December to attend the wedding of a dear friend. It was my first winter visit to Belgium and it was freeze-your-nostrils-shut cold. But it was Belgium and the spirit of the holidays infused the streets of the famed Flemish capital, so I donned my favorite chapeau, buried my nose in my scarf, and took to the holiday market for gluhwein and roasted chestnuts.

The wedding was a nonstop party for three days. Eating was a central theme and I fondly remember feasting on an epic supply of perfectly prepared mussels (cliché I know, but worth it), making traditional Belgium wedding soup (I smelled of chicken for days), and imbibing an endless supply of Rodenbach beer. A decade later, when I think of the holidays, I think of Belgium, deep winter, and food.

Since it’s that time of year, and for once I’m feeling like all I want to do is go to holiday parties, and since I can’t go to Belgium, I thought we could stroll down imagination lane (again) in search of a different kind of fantasy menu. This one I’m dubbing “Holiday Appetizers for the Irreverent Glutton” because I’m drawn this season to tapas-like tasty nibbles that keep your feet nailed to the floor in front of the appetizer table. There’s no central theme to my menu other than keeping to my standards of rewarding taste, fresh ingredients (local and seasonal when possible), and fun. But you know that by now!

In preparation, I’ve been reading many a blog in search of this year’s trends in holiday appetizers. But the blogosphere seems to be atwitter with holiday cookie exchange recipes instead. Not much help for a girl who wants to take a hard look at gluttony (although sugar is one way to go and I love cookies with all my heart). Nevertheless, I persevered, and what you see below are the fruits of my labor! Just so you know, I’m an equal opportunity fantasy hostess, so I’ve included a few items that my gluten-free friends can devour, as well as a treat or two that even a vegan would love. Grab a little party plate – it’s time to eat!

Holiday Appetizers for the Irreverent Glutton
Parmesan Polenta Bites with Roasted Red Pepper Rouille (leave out the bread crumbs and you have a gluten-free tasty)

Dates stuffed with Blue Cheese (or shake things up and mix  vanilla bean seeds with the blue cheese)

Cannoli (heads up – the time involved in preparing this little delight requires that you have a house elf who can attend to the rest of your life)

Mejillones Rellenadas (thank you Spain for creating tapas!)

Double Chocolate and Chili Cookies or these Mexican Chocolate Crackle Cookies or maybe both — this is about gluttony after all!

Tapenade and homemade crackers

Homemade Fruity Gumdrops

Cream Cheese Cranberry Tartlets (created by our very own Rodelle chef – yum!)

Later in the month, I’ll be attending what is sure to be a “remarkably bad holiday outfit” themed party at the home of last month’s Rogue Rice hostess. I think I’ll take tapenade and crackers because the preparation time is nearly nil and it’s always a crowd pleaser (do you have a few go-to appetizers that are always big hits and easy to make? Do tell!). No doubt, in short order, my inbox will be overwhelmed with amazing appetizer suggestions for the holidays, but why don’t you get a jump start on the pros and let me know what you’ll be putting out on the party table this holiday season? Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Eat well, often, and inspired ~

Carol

Thanks to Davesandford, Flowery L*u*z*a*, jekinthebox, and Joaaso for their fun holiday pics.

What are some of your family traditions around this Fall season?

It is such a fun time of the year for families, with lots of activities and the anticipation of the coming holidays! Halloween is only a week and a half away.  Costumes and candy are a necessity, of course; but what would Halloween be without a Jack-O-Lantern?

We went to a pumpkin patch last weekend.  It was crowded with people all searching for that perfect gourd while children, looking on the verge of tipping over, ran around carrying bowling ball sized pumpkins.  Even with all the competition, we managed to find (several) ideal pumpkins that would soon become victims of a carving massacre.  Sitting on the floor with my husband, surrounded by the gutted pumpkins, knives and pattern traces, I could feel a tradition in the making.  Although he is much more artistic than I am (all the interesting Jack-O-Lanterns are his), it was fun to work on this together and mutilate/enjoy the iconic image of Halloween.

With all these beautiful pumpkins around me, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try out some new dishes either. This was the first time I’d ever tried baking with fresh pumpkin (although, I did keep a can or two on the side just in case) and it was definitely an experience.  Although not all pumpkins are meant to be baked, I did scrape enough away to whip up some loaves of pumpkin bread and muffins (I used this recipe, although I added Rodelle vanilla extract and omitted the walnuts and frosting), attempted a pumpkin based soup (epic failure on my part, although the recipe looks delicious) and even made treats for the dogs!  After the soup fiasco, I felt the need to redeem myself and tried out a few of Rodelle’s Halloween recipes.  The Candy Corn Rice Crispy treats were so easy that my kitchen confidence was boosted immediately! And Rodelle’s rolled sugar cookies turned out amazingly for such a simple recipe.

Of course, Americans are not the only ones who have a supernatural day approaching.  Falling immediately after America’s Halloween, Dia de los Muertos spans the first two days of November, coinciding with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.  Dia de los Muertos, celebrated mostly in Mexico, also includes family, friends and paranormal experiences.  People gather together to celebrate and remember loved ones who have passed away, bringing gifts and their favorite foods to grave sites, hoping for a ghostly visit from long gone relatives.  There are several customary foods, like Pan de Muerto, that are made leading up to Dia de los Muertos.

Someday, I hope to get the chance to celebrate Dia de los Muertos.  For now, it’s time to display the Jack-O-Lanterns, hope that they don’t cave in and get ready for Halloween!   Do you create costumes together, carve pumpkins, hang up decorations?  We’d love to hear your stories!

Always,

Laura