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30 Minutes or Less

Christmas Antipasto Wreath

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overhead image of antipasto wreath with fresh rosemary on a large plate.

On the lookout for a super easy Christmas appetizer? Look no further than this antipasto wreath! It’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Just a handful of ingredients, 15 minutes, and a little creativity is all you’ll need to make this holiday recipe.

close-up image of skewers on antipasto wreath.

What You’ll Need to Make an Antipasto Wreath

Small Skewers: The secret to the wreath’s charm! Opt for small skewers around 6-inches long to easily thread the delectable antipasto elements. I’ll link to the skewers I purchased on Amazon HERE.

Grape Tomatoes: These little bursts of freshness add a pop of color and flavor to each bite.

Mini Mozzarella Balls (Ciliegine): The cuteness factor is off the charts! These tiny mozzarella balls are the perfect size for our wreath.

Pitted Olives: A mix of green and black olives not only brings variety but also that signature antipasto briny-ness.

Salami: Roll up some savory slices of salami to add a hint of smokiness and a meaty touch.

antipasto wreath on a large plate with extra tomatoes, olives, and salami on the side.

Tips and Tricks

  • Mix and Match: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your antipasto selections. Add marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, or even pickled veggies to your wreath for extra variety.
  • Wreath Building 101: Start by threading grape tomatoes onto your skewers, then alternating between mozzarella balls, olives, and salami rolls. Continue until you’ve formed a wreath shape. You’re the artist – feel free to customize!
  • Make It Ahead: The beauty of the Antipasto Wreath lies in its simplicity and make-ahead magic. Prepare it a few hours before your gathering and store it in the fridge. When it’s time to impress, bring it out and watch your guests’ eyes light up.
Christmas Antipasto Wreath
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Christmas Antipasto Wreath

5 from 2 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: AppetizersDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

15

minutes

On the lookout for a super easy Christmas appetizer? Look no further than this antipasto wreath! It’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Just a handful of ingredients, 15 minutes, and a little creativity is all you’ll need to make this holiday recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 pint grape tomatoes

  • 4 ounces sliced salami

  • 8 ounces mini mozzarella balls (ciliegine)

  • 1 cup pitted black and/or green olives

  • 6-inch skewers

  • fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish

Directions

  • Thread the small skewers with a mix of grape tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, pitted olives, and folded salami slices.
  • Arrange the skewers in a circle around a large plate, creating the wreath shape. Play with the placement to make it visually appealing.
  • Slide a couple sprigs of fresh rosemary between the skewers for extra garnish.
  • If making ahead of time, cover antipasto wreath tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 4 hours before serving.

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There you have it – an Antipasto Wreath that’s not just a Christmas appetizer; it’s a work of art. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or looking to add a touch of holiday magic to your table, this wreath is ready to steal the show. So, gather your ingredients, channel your inner wreath artist, and let the holiday feasting begin!

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love!

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30 Minutes or Less

Whipped Feta Crostini Recipe – 3 ways!

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overhead close up image of whipped feta crostini.

This whipped feta crostini recipe is a flavor-packed, bite-sized wonder that’ll steal the spotlight at your next holiday party! Perfectly toasted crostini and a tangy whipped feta, topped three different ways. This easy appetizer recipe is a total crowd-pleaser!

whipped feta crostini 3 ways on a plate with wine and fresh thyme on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make Whipped Feta Crostini

Baguette (1-inch slices): The crunchy canvas for your culinary masterpiece. Go for a good-quality baguette that will hold up to the whipped feta goodness. Or use a gluten-free baguette for an entirely gluten-free appetizer.

Feta: The star of the show! Opt for a high-quality feta for that perfect blend of creaminess and tanginess. I use and recommend this barrel-aged feta.

Yogurt: A dollop of yogurt adds a touch of smoothness to the whipped feta. It’s the secret ingredient for that irresistible texture.

Good Quality Olive Oil: A drizzle of liquid gold to tie it all together. Don’t skimp on the olive oil; it’s the finishing touch that elevates this crostini recipe. I use and love this Graza Olive Oil in my whipped feta!

close-up image of whipped feta crostini.

Tips and Tricks

  • Whip It Good: When blending the feta and yogurt, let the mixer work its magic. Whip until the texture is smooth and creamy. You want that dreamy consistency that spreads like a cloud on your crostini.
  • Get Ahead of the Game: This recipe is a winner for planning ahead. Whip the feta mixture in advance and store it in the fridge. Toast the baguette slices separately. When it’s party time, assemble the crostini with a dollop of whipped feta right before serving.
  • Top it Off Creatively: Let your creativity shine by trying different toppings. Pomegranate seeds and honey add a burst of sweetness, while sliced pears, walnuts, and honey provide a perfect blend of textures. For a classic touch, go with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky salt – my favorite!
Whipped Feta Crostini - 3 ways!
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Whipped Feta Crostini – 3 ways!

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: AppetizersDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

This whipped feta crostini is a flavor-packed, bite-sized wonder that’ll steal the spotlight at your next holiday party! Perfectly toasted crostini and a tangy whipped feta, topped three different ways. This easy appetizer recipe is a total crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

  • For the crostini:

  • 1 baguette, cut into 1-inch slices

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • For the whipped feta:

  • 5 ounce block feta

  • 1/4 cup plain unsweetened yogurt

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • pinch of salt

  • For topping:

  • pomegranate seeds

  • sliced pears

  • chopped walnuts

  • honey

  • olive oil

  • flaky salt

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Arrange the baguette slices on the baking sheet and brush both sides of each slice with olive oil.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown and toasted. Remove from oven and let cool while you make the whipped feta.
  • Add the feta, yogurt, olive oil, and salt to a large bowl. Use either a hand or stand mixer to whip the feta until mostly smooth and combined (some lumps of feta may remain).
  • Top each crostini with about a tablespoon of whipped feta, then top however you’d like. I recommend either pomegranate and honey, sliced pears, walnuts, and honey, or olive oil and flaky salt.

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30 Minutes or Less

Perfect Potluck Thanksgiving Salad

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overhead image of thanksgiving salad in a bowl with water on the side.

This Thanksgiving salad is the perfect potluck side dish! It’s packed with flavor and freshness. This salad is also super hearty and satisfying, but super healthy! Meal prep this salad ahead of your next holiday party, then wow your friends and family with how delicious it is.

Thanksgiving salad meal prepped and stacked into a large jar.

The large glass jar I used to store my Thanksgiving salad is linked HERE.

What You’ll Need to Make Thanksgiving Salad

Farro: The hearty base that brings a chewy texture and nutty flavor. It’s like a Thanksgiving hug for your taste buds.

Roasted Butternut Squash: Because it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a bit of squash magic. Roasted to perfection, it adds sweetness and a touch of autumn warmth. Or, if you’d like, you can roast sweet potato instead.

Maple Dijon Dressing: A blend of sweet and tangy, this dressing is the secret sauce that ties all the flavors together. Say goodbye to boring salads!

Soft White Cheese (like Feta): Creamy, crumbly, and just the right amount of decadent. The cheese brings that perfect savory balance to the dish.

close-up image of Thanksgiving salad in a bowl with a fork.

Tips and Tricks

  • Make It Ahead: Thanksgiving can be a whirlwind, so make life easier by prepping this salad ahead of time. Stack the ingredients in a large jar starting with the farro and kale at the bottom, then all other ingredients on top. When it’s time to serve, just empty the jar into a large bowl, and toss to combine – it’s that easy!
  • Don’t Forget the Crunch: Toss in some toasted nuts or seeds for that satisfying crunch. Pecans or pumpkin seeds are particularly Thanksgiving-worthy additions that elevate the texture and taste.
  • Mix Up Your Greens: While we love the classic mix of greens, feel free to experiment! Arugula adds a peppery kick, spinach brings a delicate texture, or even kale for a heartier feel. Mix and match to suit your taste.
Thanksgiving salad in a bowl with a fork and spoon.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

Make it Gluten-Free: Farro contains gluten, so to make this recipe gluten-free, use either brown rice or quinoa instead.

Make it Vegan: Either leave out the cheese, or use your favorite vegan feta in this Thanksgiving salad recipe!

Perfect Potluck Thanksgiving Salad
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Perfect Potluck Thanksgiving Salad

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

10

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Total time

45

minutes

This Thanksgiving salad is the perfect potluck side dish! It’s packed with flavor and freshness. This salad is also super hearty and satisfying, but still super healthy! Meal prep this salad ahead of your next holiday party, then wow your friends and family with how delicious it is.

Ingredients

  • For the salad:

  • 3 cups cooked farro, or barley, wild rice, or quinoa

  • 1 butternut squash or 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • salt and black pepper, to taste

  • 1 shallot, peeled and thinly sliced

  • 1 head kale, thinly sliced or shredded

  • 1 cup soft cheese, such as feta or goat cheese

  • 2 apples, chopped

  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries

  • 1/2 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds, or chopped pecans

  • For the maple Dijon dressing:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil

  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
  • Place the cubed butternut squash on a large baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt and black pepper.
  • Toss squash to coat in oil then bake for 25-30 minutes, tossing halfway through.
  • While squash is roasting, make the maple Dijon dressing by adding all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisking to combine.
  • Once squash is tender, remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
  • If making salad ahead of time, stack in large jar with the farro at the bottom and the chopped kale on top of the farro.
  • Pour maple Dijon dressing over the kale and farro, then stack in the roasted butternut squash, shallots, soft cheese (such as feta), apples, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries.
  • If preparing the salad to eat immediately, then simply add all ingredients to a large bowl and toss to combine.

Recipe Video

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There you have it – a Thanksgiving Salad that’s as easy to prepare as it is delightful to eat. Whether it’s a colorful side or a standalone star at your Thanksgiving table, this salad is ready to impress. So, gather your ingredients, stack that jar, and let the Thanksgiving feast begin!

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30 Minutes or Less

Super EASY Grinch Fruit Kabobs

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grinch fruit kabobs in a glass, standing upright.

The easiest holiday treat of all time – Grinch fruit kabobs! Slide fruit onto skewers and you’ve got yourself a festive snack or dessert. Get the kids involved in this fun Christmas activity!

grinch fruit kabobs on a plate with green grapes, strawberries, mini marshmallows, and skewers on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make Grinch Fruit Kabobs

Green Grapes – Green, not red grapes for this Grinch-themed treat!

Banana – Slice your banana into 1/2-inch pieces before sliding onto your skewers.

Strawberries – Hull your strawberries before using in this recipe! That basically just means remove the green leaves on top.

Mini Marshmallows – The perfect little Santa hat topping!

hand holding a grinch fruit kabob

How to Store Them

  • Store these Grinch fruit kabobs in an airtight container in the fridge for one day. They may last longer than a day, but the banana will begin to oxidize and turn brown – not ideal! For best results, I recommend making them right before serving.
close-up image of grinch fruit kabobs on a plate

These Grinch Fruit Kabobs Are…

Grinch Fruit Kabobs
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Grinch Fruit Kabobs

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: Snacks, DessertDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

The easiest holiday treat of all time – Grinch fruit kabobs! Slide fruit onto skewers and you’ve got yourself a festive snack or dessert. Get the kids involved in this fun holiday activity!

Ingredients

  • Green grapes

  • Banana, sliced

  • Fresh strawberries, hulled

  • Mini marshmallows

  • Mini skewers or toothpicks

Directions

  • Slide a grape onto a skewer, about 2-inches down from the top of the skewer.
  • Then, slide a banana slice on top of the grape, followed by a strawberry, followed by a mini marshmallow.
  • Continue this process with remaining ingredients.

Recipe Video

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Desserts

Sugared Cranberries (with a hint of orange!)

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close up image of sugared cranberries

Super simple sugared cranberries with a hint (just a hint!) of orange! Perfectly tart, yet sweet, and totally addictive. These sugared cranberries are a great cocktail garnish, cake/pie topping, or delicious on their own!

sugared cranberries in a small bowl.

What You’ll Need to Make Sugared Cranberries

Sugar – Sugar’s needed for both the simple syrup and the sugar coating. I used organic cane sugar for my sugared cranberries, but regular white sugar works great too!

Cranberries – Whole fresh, not frozen, cranberries! We’ll start by coating them in a 3-ingredient simple syrup, then rolling in sugar and orange zest. Fresh cranberries are extremely tart, so the sugar in this recipe works wonders to help balance that out. The end result is a perfectly tart, yet sweet dessert or snack!

Orange Juice & Zest – While you can totally make this recipe without any orange, I highly recommend adding it. A hint of citrus is the perfect compliment to fresh cranberries. Orange juice and zest brighten up this entire recipe, and make it EXTRA special!

sugared cranberries on a plate with a spoon

Tips and Tricks

  • If the sugar doesn’t seem to be sticking to your cranberries, give them an extra 30 minutes to dry out. The drying time of your cranberries all depends on the climate in your kitchen. Therefore, make adjustments as you see necessary.
  • This is the perfect holiday recipe! I love making a double batch of these sugared cranberries for friends and family. I divide them up into small cellophane bags, complete with a ribbon, and they’re the perfect little holiday treat hand-out!
sugared cranberries in a small bowl

This Recipe Is…

Sugared Cranberries (with a hint of orange!)
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Sugared Cranberries (with a hint of orange!)

5 from 2 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy
Servings

3

cups
Cooking time

3

minutes
Drying time

1

hour
Total time

1

hour 

3

minutes

Super simple sugared cranberries with a hint (just a hint!) of orange! Perfectly tart, yet sweet, and totally addictive. These sugared cranberries are a great cocktail garnish, cake/pie topping, or delicious on their own!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, optional

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided

  • 3 cups fresh cranberries

  • 3 tablespoons orange zest

Directions

  • Combine water, orange juice, and ½ cup sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and cook for 3 minutes stirring frequently.
  • Remove from heat, then add in the fresh cranberries. Stir to coat cranberries in sugar syrup, then use a slotted spoon to drain and transfer cranberries to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread into an even layer and let dry for 1 hour.
  • Mix together remaining sugar and orange zest in a large bowl, then add dried cranberries about a cup at a time to bowl. Toss cranberries in sugar until all are evenly coated, then repeat with remaining batches until all cranberries are coated in sugar. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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