Easy Appetizers
This is the time of year when we have family gatherings, holiday parties and impromptu gatherings with friends. Whether you have to take an appetizer to someone’s house or you’re planning your own party, you’ll appreciate these simple, tasty appetizer recipes. I’ve tried them all and they meet my criteria of easy, affordable, healthy and delicious! Try a few and let me know what you think.
Holiday Belgian Endive Cups
In a large bowl, combine 1 chopped Granny Smith apple, ¾ cup crumbled goat cheese, 1/3 cup dried cranberries, ½ cup chopped walnuts, ¼ cup light blue cheese dressing and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; gently stir to combine. Arrange approx. 12 cleaned and separated Belgian endive leaves on a platter. Fill leaves with approx. 2 tablespoons of apple filling. Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper to serve.
Chutney Topped Goat Cheese
Place an 8 oz. log of goat cheese in the center of a serving plate. (Can also use two 4 oz. logs). Spread fruit chutney, over the top of the cheese so it is dripping over the edges and onto the plate. Serve with water crackers or whole wheat crackers. Note: Mango Chutney and pepper jelly are both great choices to use.
Antipasto Skewers
I made these from the Meijer olive bar!
On each 3-4 inch bamboo skewer, place 1 sundried tomato slice, 1/4 artichoke heart, 1 small marinated fresh mozzarella ball, 1 piece of roasted red pepper and one kalamata olive. Arrange skewers on a serving plate.
Happy, Healthy Holidays!
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Jamie Allen
I always had an interest in food and nutrition and attended Central Michigan University to earn a Bachelors Degree in Dietetics. Several years later, I went back to college to obtain my Masters degree in Human Nutrition from Andrews University. I have been a Registered Dietitian for 27 years and have spent the last 20 years working with Supermarkets. I discovered years ago that grocery stores were a great place to reach consumers and help them obtain accurate nutrition information. I also realized that busy families are looking for quick, affordable, and healthy ideas for meals. In my position as Healthy Living Manager at Meijer I spend a lot of time working with food manufacturers and commodity groups to search out and create easy recipes that can become part of family-pleasing menus. Although my two daughters are now grown and married, my husband and I continue to enjoy cooking together and creating new recipes with nutritious ingredients. I hope my information provides you and your family with easy ideas to live a healthy life!