Whether it’s Christmas dinner, New Year’s Eve or simply a festive meal, these appetizers can be enjoyed at conventional and unconventional holiday dining events alike. Of course, we recommend pairings that will complement these delicious recipes.

Classic Holiday Appetizers

CRANBERRY BRUSCHETTA

Makes 24 pieces 
Prep Time: Less than 30 minutes 
Total Time: Less than 1 hour

1 cup fresh cranberries
1/4 cup honey
1 orange, juice, zest
1 tsp cinnamon
1 baguette, sliced, toasted
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 cup ricotta

Directions: Place cranberries, honey, orange zest, orange juice and cinnamon in a pot. Bring to boil. Reduce to simmer and cook until thickened. Rub toasted baguette slices with garlic and drizzle with olive oil. Add 2/3 tablespoon ricotta to each baguette slice and top with 1 tablespoon of cranberry sauce.

CLASSIC SQUASH SOUP

2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup carrots, diced
1/4 cup white wine
4 cups butternut squash*, roughly chopped
1 litre stock
Sour cream, to serve

Directions: Place butter, onion, celery and carrots in a pot set over medium-low heat. Sauté until vegetables are soft. Add wine. When the volume of liquid has reduced by half, add the squash and stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until squash is tender. Remove from heat. Let cool. Purée until smooth. Return to pot. Serve warm, accompanied with sour cream and a whisky-based cocktail, such as an Old-Fashioned.

Vegan Appetizers

VEGAN HOLIDAY BALLS 

6 to 8 Servings
Prep time: Less than 30 minutes
Total time: Less than 30 minutes

1 cup dates, roughly chopped
1 cup cashews
1 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp almond butter
1 cup dried cranberry
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
Crackers

Directions: Place dates, cashews, coconut and vanilla in a food processor. Blend into fine pieces. Add the almond butter and mix until sticky. Form into a ball. In separate bowl, combine dried cranberry and pecans. Roll the ball in the dried cranberry and nut mixture until covered on all sides. Place in refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve accompanied with crackers.

PECAN DATE BALLS

4 to 6 servings 
Prep time: Less than 30 minutes
Total time: Less than 30 minutes

2 tbsp olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
3/4 cup pecans, chopped
1 orange, zest
1/4 oz Crisp & Light white wine
12 dates, roughly chopped

Directions: Place a sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and shallots. Sauté until the shallots are soft and translucent. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant. Finally, add the breadcrumbs, pecans, white wine and orange zest. Sauté for another minute or two, to cook off the alcohol. Remove from heat and place in a bowl. Let cool. Add dates to mixture and mix. Using a tablespoon, form the mixture into balls. Brush each ball with a little more olive oil. Bake in oven preheated to 400ºF for 15 minutes. Serve warm.