Egg-cellent Holiday Appetizer Ideas
President's Blog
President, Burnbrae Farms
4th Generation Farmer
No matter the season or holiday, you can always find a perfect appetizer featuring eggs from the Burnbrae Farms recipe files . And Burnbrae Egg Creations! liquid eggs can help make holiday entertaining even easier. Burnbrae Egg Creations! are just as nutritious as our shells eggs, but even more convenient – just shake and pour! So, whether you are prepping an appetizer in advance or whipping up something for last-minute celebrations, Burnbrae shell and liquid eggs are ready to help. Here are some great appetizer recipes for parties, potlucks and other celebrations.
Cocktail Party
Casual elegance abounds at an evening soirée. Imagine wine, cheese and small bites. You’ll want to make simple-to-eat appetizers that can be managed with one hand, since the other hand will likely be holding a glass of something delicious. These are some of my favourite one-bite options:
Easy Wonton Quiche Bites : With a crispy exterior and savoury centre, these delectable bites have a five minute prep time and a 13 minute cook time. They can be made ahead and simply reheated when the party starts.
Baked Arancini : These remind my kids of mozzarella sticks, but are much more upscale. Rice is blended with egg, parmesan and mozzarella, then coated in cornflake crumbs and baked to golden perfection. It’s always a fan favourite at parties. You can also serve them on toothpicks or mini skewers to enhance the party vibe.
Two-Bite Western Frittatas : If you love the idea of a mini-omelette, this recipe is perfect for you. The “Western” version features ham, green pepper and cheddar cheese. You can also make them with other flavour combinations, such as feta cheese, red pepper and pitted Kalamata olives; or smoked salmon and dill. Top them with fresh herbs for a festive garnish.
Sit-Down Dinner
If you’re plating appetizers, keep it simple. Try fresh greens with crumbled hard-boiled egg and a Dijon vinaigrette, or one of these festive first courses:
Parmesan Custard with Spinach and Roasted Red Pepper: The presentation of this appetizer is stunning, but it’s still easy to make for a crowd because the custards bake in individual ramekin cups. If you’re celebrating Christmas, you’ll love the red and green garnish of spinach and roasted red pepper.
Pear and Brie French toast : This is next level elegance – the flavour, mouthfeel and creativity of this dish make it a perfect way to start a festive meal. Bonus – it takes 10 minutes to prep!
Straciatella Soup : If you’re planning a heavy meal, start with a light appetizer, such as this elegant soup. Use any chicken broth, and swirl in eggs to create soft, brothy bites. Add fresh herbs and serve Parmesan with a grater at the table so guests can “snow” the cheese onto their individual bowls of soup. How wintery!
Potluck Fun
If you’re fretting about which dish to bring to a festive potluck, look no further than these three easy options:
French Toast Bites with Fresh Figs : Whether it’s a brunch, lunch or dinner potluck, tote this easy-to-make appetizer that’s sure to please a hungry crowd. If figs are hard to find, you can garnish it with any seasonal fresh fruit.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites : You’ll have to double or triple this recipe because they get gobbled up so quickly! They are crunchy, spicy and fun to eat. Serve them with a creamy dipping sauce to cool the spicy heat. Try blue cheese dressing or yogurt tzatziki.
Herbed Devilled Egg Dip : If you’ve signed up to bring the vegetable crudité platter, add this dip as the spectacular centrepiece. Serve it with a rainbow of colourful vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers and sweet peppers.
Enjoy the warmth of the season!
Margaret Hudson
President, Burnbrae Farms