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November 30, 2017 Cocktails

Semi-Homemade Party Foods for the Holidays

Check out our recipes for the perfect semi-homemade party foods! Guests will love our shrimp cocktail with brussels sprout pesto and other fab holiday finger foods!

Check out our recipes for the perfect semi-homemade party foods! Guests will love our shrimp cocktail with Brussels Sprout pesto and other fab holiday finger foods! 

You know how hindsight is 20-20?  Well, there was that year my husband and I offered to host the holiday party for his co-workers.  It would be “4 office-mates and their guests,” he said.  I’m not sure what happened at the water cooler that year, but a few days before the party, my husband was all… “So, how do you feel about 40 guests?”

Mic drop.

As a food blogger, I felt all kinds of pressure to pull off and execute the perfect, from-scratch holiday party.  And, oh, did I mention?  The DAY BEFORE we were to host the party, I found out I was pregnant!  Yep.

At the end of the day, everyone had fun, the food was decent, and I was a HOT MESS.  As was the house.

That was then.  This is now.  Let’s chalk it up to experience.  Gone are the days of trying to make meatballs from scratch and home-baked pastries to impress my guests.  These days, I’m making semi-homemade apps for the holidays.  With a tweak here and there, I’m pulling off the perfect holiday party without the stress.  And a lot less mess.  (Not to mention no more pregnancies… phew!)

Semi-Homemade Party Food

Brussels Sprout Pesto

Check out our recipes for the perfect semi-homemade party foods! Guests will love our shrimp cocktail with Brussels Sprout pesto and other fab holiday finger foods! 

I LOOOVE shrimp cocktail, and I really like the cocktail sauce that comes-with.  So by all means, be sure to add it to your spread.  But, to really knock the socks off your guests, serve it with this on-trend and tasty Brussels Sprout Pesto!

Check out our recipes for the perfect semi-homemade party foods! Guests will love our shrimp cocktail with Brussels Sprout pesto and other fab holiday finger foods! 

Trim and quarter 1 1/2 cups of brussels sprouts.  Trim and thinly slice one more brussels sprout.  Place the quartered brussels sprouts to a microwave-safe bowl.  Add 1 cup of water and cook on high for 3-4 minutes.  You want them slightly softened but bright green.

Drain and set aside to cool.  Meanwhile, coat a small skillet with cooking spray.  Add in the sliced brussels sprout and a tiny pinch of salt.  Cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until the leaves are slightly charred.

Check out our recipes for the perfect semi-homemade party foods! Guests will love our shrimp cocktail with Brussels Sprout pesto and other fab holiday finger foods! 

Once the steamed brussels sprouts have cooled, place them in the bowl of a food processor.  Add in 1 cup of prepared pesto.  Blend until smooth.  Serve alongside skewered and chilled shrimp.

Spicy Herbed Marinated Cheese

Check out our recipes for the perfect semi-homemade party foods! Guests will love our shrimp cocktail with Brussels Sprout pesto and other fab holiday finger foods! 

This recipe is packed with tons of great flavor and is super-easy to make.  Even better?  Whip it up the day before, then simply let it come to room temperature before serving.

Check out our recipes for the perfect semi-homemade party foods! Guests will love our shrimp cocktail with Brussels Sprout pesto and other fab holiday finger foods! 

In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon each: dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley.  Add 1/2 Tb. salt and red pepper flakes to taste.  Whisk in 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil.  Carefully add your favorite cubed cheese, like havarti.

You can divide up the marinade and keep each cheese separate or go ahead and mix them up.  Stir to coat.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Garnish with lemon zest for additional flair once in the serving bowl.

Sweet Chili Cream Sauce Dip

Grab a package or five of frozen egg rolls.  They’re one of my favorite go-to holiday hosting foods.  Serve them with this easy Sweet Chili Cream Sauce Dip for the perfect pairing experience!

Check out our recipes for the perfect semi-homemade party foods! Guests will love our shrimp cocktail with Brussels Sprout pesto and other fab holiday finger foods! 

Combine 1/2 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup Asian sweet chili sauce, and 1 tablespoon buffalo wing sauce.  Stir until smooth.   Serve with the Wellsley Farms Steak and Cheese Spring Rolls cooked according to package directions.

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Check out our recipes for the perfect semi-homemade party foods! Guests will love our shrimp cocktail with Brussels Sprout pesto and other fab holiday finger foods! 

Need some other great party food ideas?  Try our Homemade Sundried Tomato recipe or check out this post for three creative crostini ideas!

Pin me!

Check out our recipes for the perfect semi-homemade party foods! Guests will love our shrimp cocktail with Brussels Sprout pesto and other fab holiday finger foods! 

 

More from my site

  • How to Roast Hatch Chile PeppersHow to Roast Hatch Chile Peppers
  • ‘Fancy’ Almonds & Fruit Snack Board‘Fancy’ Almonds & Fruit Snack Board
  • The Perfect Holiday Party: Mood and Menu PairingsThe Perfect Holiday Party: Mood and Menu Pairings
  • Sangria Cranberry Sauce RecipeSangria Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Categories: Cocktails Tags: appetizer, asian, beef, brunch, drinks, gluten-free, holiday, meat, seafood, vegetarian

About Katie

Katie Harding has been blogging since 2010. What originally started out as a platform to discuss new parenthood, her blogging now focuses on her passion for cooking: creating recipes and sharing tips for entertaining friends and family of all ages. Outside of the kitchen you’ll find her with her family (three boys, one husband, multiple exchange student daughters, and Hank the pup), or gallivanting around the world with her fork in tow.

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Welcome!

Welcome to Forks and Folly! It's time to have some fun in the kitchen. Forks and Folly is about enjoying the process of cooking and entertaining. No complicated recipes. No stress. It's back to basics with easy, make ahead food, and fabulous hosting tips.

In addition to contributions on this blog, you'll find me behind the scenes working with my favorite brands through my marketing agency b2k Media Marketing.

Have a question or want to work with me? Drop me an email anytime.

♥, Katie

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