2 More Appetizers, Brie & Peppadews

This year since the holiday season is short, I’ve been posting 2 appetizer recipes on each entry for maximum tasting opportunities, so when the inevitable question…what should I make? Is asked, you’ve got the answer!

Everybody loves appetizers, small tidbits to share with a glass of wine or cocktails over the holiday season. As the season winds on, my appetizers are getting even easier to make because I know how busy you all are. Don’t be fooled, though, these little gems are fast to make but are also fantastic bits of joy on the palette.

When designing your party menus, keep in mind, that small bites should be loaded with maximum flavor. I like to plan appetizers that don’t require utensils, this way they can be picked up and devoured immediately. And always keep it colorful!

Baked Brie with Figs and Pecans has to be the easiest recipe of all time. To make this delightful beauty, place a whole brie round into a baking dish, and top it with fig jam, fresh thyme, and pecans. Bake it until the brie is soft and about to pop open. Serve the brie with French bread and your guests will be very happy!

Of course, you can use other jam flavors for different variations. You must use a whole brie and not a wedge, though, because a brie wedge will melt into a puddle when placed into the hot oven.

Baked Brie with Figs and Pecans

1 4–6-ounce Brie round

½ cup fig jam

½ cup whole pecans

2 sprigs thyme plus more for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place brie round in a glass baking dish. In a small bowl, mix the jam, pecans, and the leaves from 2 sprigs of thyme. Top the brie with the jam mixture. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the jam is bubbling. Remove from the oven, garnish with more thyme, and serve with crackers or French bread.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppadews add so much color and zing to an assortment of holiday goodies. These peppers are both sweet and spicy so when stuffed with the goat cheese concoction, it makes for a true taste sensation!

To make these pretty peppers, just mix goat cheese with seasoning and then place the filling into a zip-top bag. Snip the tip and squeeze a small amount of the cheese into each pepper. Add the stuffed peppadews to a small cheese board or a platter with lots of other goodies. The vibrant red color adds a nice pop. See me make these cuties on my page Instagram TODAY!

Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppadews

1 jar peppadew peppers

6 ounces fresh goat cheese

2 tablespoons heavy cream

1 garlic clove pressed

1 teaspoon dried basil

¼ teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon fresh chives finely chopped

Let peppers drain upside down on paper towels. In a small bowl, combine cheese, cream, and herbs and mix well. Place the cheese mixture into a zip-top bag or a piping bag. Snip the tip before filling the peppers with cheese. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Next week, I’ll post my Peppermint Chocolate Cake that is out of this world, you DO NOT want to miss that! I’ll also post one final beautiful appetizer on Instagram and Facebook next week so if you are not already part of the fun there, join me!