Good food is a must-have at any Christmas celebration. But instead of preparing a tedious elaborate meal, an aperitif menu would be loved by all your guests and much simpler to make. Discover 7 original ideas for your easy Christmas aperitif and spend the party entertaining rather than behind the stove.
7 recipes to make Christmas appetizers that melt in your mouth
“Christmas wreath” aperitif skewers
Ingredients
- 35 skewers
- 250g salami
- 250 g small balls of fresh mozzarella
- 300 g cherry tomatoes
- 250 g green olives
- 5 to 8 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Inexpensive aperitif skewer to make in two steps, three movements
Preparation
- To make the skewers, start by threading each of the ingredients listed above – salamis, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and olives. Vary the order of the ingredients and fold the salami pieces in half or quarters to make them easier to skewer.
- Then, arrange the skewers to form a circle – your Christmas wreath. Store on a round tray or on a cutting board of the same shape. Stack the skewers, if necessary, to make a more or less large and dense crown.
- Tuck the rosemary sprigs under the wreath, so that they stick out a little.
- If you wish, you can serve your skewers glazed with balsamic vinegar. This is also an excellent idea for a Christmas aperitif to make the day before.
An appetizing Christmas wreath unlike any other
©herwholesomekitchen.com
Little cheese trees for your easy aperitif
Ingredients
- 8 slices of cheese (like The Laughing Cow)
- 4 pretzel sticks cut in half
- 1/3 cup chopped herbs and other seasonings (rosemary, basil, dills, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Cheese like you’ve never tasted it before
Preparation
- Start by unwrapping the cheese and if you are using a variety that is not pre-cut, then cut into quarters.
- Fill a plate or bowl with your chosen herbs and seasonings.
- Place the cheese wedges in the seasonings and coat on one side only.
- Insert the pretzel skewer into the bottom of your cheese tree and voilà.
A brilliant and tasty idea for your original Christmas aperitif
©bestappetizers.com
“Christmas tree” charcuterie platter
Ingredients
- 1 slice of cheese to cut out the star pattern
- 1 cup of green grapes
- 10-12 round savory biscuits
- 250 g sliced salami
- 250 g sliced cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 250 g of Emmental/Gruyère or other hard cheese
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cucumber trachea
- 10-12 pretzels on sticks
- sprigs of fresh thyme to decorate
The charcuterie platter, Christmas version
Preparation
- To make the star on the top of your tree first, take a star-shaped cookie cutter and press against a slice. Place the star cut out above your presentation board.
- Under the star, place the bunch of green grapes.
- Continue with the crackers, placing them obliquely.
- Fold the salami slices into quarters and then place (the “flower part” on top) next to each other, until you have the next layer of your tree.
- The next row, the cheddar cubes, should be slightly longer to start giving your tree a triangular shape.
- Subsequently, always arrange the cherry tomatoes in a longer row.
- Do the same with the remaining cheese cubes, followed by the dried cranberries and cucumber slices.
- As a trunk at the bottom, put pretzels.
- Arrange sprigs of fresh thyme on top to bring the tree closer to a real fir and you can serve and enjoy your Christmas charcuterie platter.
An aperitif rich in flavor and easy to make
©crayonsandcravings.com
Cheese snowballs as Christmas appetizers
Ingredients
- 250 g goat cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
A delicious cheese-cranberry appetizer
Preparation
- First remove the cheese from its packaging and cut it into around ten discs. Reserve.
- Heat a small saucepan over medium heat to melt the butter. When it starts to bubble, add the pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
- Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, then transfer to a large sheet of baking paper in a thin layer. Let cool and harden.
- Then fold the baking paper in half, so that the nuts remain trapped inside. Mash with a meat tenderizer and if necessary, chop with a knife, until the nuts are well chopped.
- Finely chop the cranberries and mix on a plate with the fresh parsley and pecans.
- Take a disc of goat cheese and coat well in the walnut and cranberry mixture.
- Roll it up to form a sort of ball. If necessary, coat once more in the walnut and cranberry mixture.
- Stick a pretzel stick in each ball for easier serving.
An unparalleled idea for preparing a chic Christmas aperitif that tickles the palate
©kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com
Eggs Mimosa of Christmas
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon of crème fraîche
- 24 pink peppercorns or red pepper, cut into “berries” using a straw
- 12 small parsley leaves
- salt and freshly ground pepper
Mimosa eggs available in a Christmas version
Preparation
- Place the 6 eggs in a saucepan of cool water, place on the heat and boil over medium-high heat for around twenty minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let the eggs cool in a bowl of cold water for about ten minutes.
- Once the eggs have cooled, break them and peel them carefully, just to remove the shell. Make sure that no tears are present.
- Cut the eggs in half, remove the yolks and place in a mesh strainer with a bowl underneath. Using a spoon, press and push the egg yolks through. The purpose of this operation is to break the egg yolks and obtain a smooth consistency of the filling.
- In a salad bowl, mix the crushed egg yolks with the mayonnaise, crème fraîche, mustard and finish with a pinch of pepper and salt. Mix until you obtain a sort of creamy humus. If necessary, add other ingredients.
- Use a piping bag to fill the halves with egg white and garnish at the end with 2 to 3 grains of pink pepper and a parsley leaf.
An elegant aperitif idea that is actually very easy to make
©shekeepsalovelyhome.com
Christmas bruschetta with prosciutto and cranberries
Ingredients
- 1 baguette
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 170 g of goat cheese
- 1/3 cup cranberry jam
- 120 g thinly sliced prosciutto
Aperitif toast with prosciutto, goat cheese and jam
Preparation
- Cut the baguette into thin slices and brush both sides with olive oil. Heat the oven to 220°C and toast the baguette slices for 5 to 7 minutes – until they are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Spread each slice with goat cheese, followed by a spoonful of cranberry jam. Repeat on all slices
- Finish by garnishing the toast with a piece of thinly sliced prosciutto and optionally garnish with fresh thyme. An aperitif toast that melts in your mouth.
Vary the toppings for a greater assortment of toasts
©pizzazzerie.com
Salmon and cheese bites for Christmas
Ingredients
- 12o g cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons chopped chives
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, each
- 1 large cucumber cut into slices of approximately 1.5 cm
- 250 g smoked salmon cut into pieces
- 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
An end-of-year aperitif that is simple, chic and healthy
Preparation
- Mix the cream cheese with the lemon juice, chopped garlic and chives, salt and pepper.
- Spread a little cheese on each cucumber and garnish with a piece of a slice of smoked salmon. Season with a little salt and pepper and garnish with chopped chives.
- Note that you can keep leftovers in the fridge for a few days, unless you cover them with plastic wrap.
Little bites of pleasure to enjoy to pamper yourself for Christmas