Holiday Hors’ d oeuvres Made Simple!

Asparagus Spears Wrapped in Prosciutto di Parma (about 20 pieces)

1 Bunch Asparagus2oz Sliced ProsciuttoIodized Salt

1. Bring heavily salted water to boil. Cut off "woody" portion off of asparagus spears. Place spears into boiling water and cook until flexible, about 45 seconds. Shock asparagus in ice water to stop cooking. Wrap with prosciutto and serve.

Fall Bratwurst Skewers with Sage (25-30 pieces)

5 Links Bratwurst1 Yam 1-2Granny Smith Apple5 Leaves Sage

2T ButterSalt and Pepper to Taste

1. Broil or grill brats until browned on outside. Let cool and then slice into 1" thick coins.

2. Slice apple and yams into 1" thick pieces. Season with salt and pepper and either grill or broil until lightly caramelized and semi-cooked. Cube into similar size to bratwurst. Assemble skewers.

3. Melt butter over low heat. Rough chop sage and cook in butter about 30 seconds to release flavor into butter. Brush butter mix over skewers. Bake skewers in oven until yams are tender. Serve.

Mediterranean Skewers (35-40 pieces)

Fresh Mozzarella Cheese1 Can Roasted Red Peppers1 Jar Kalamata Olives

1 Can Artichoke Hearts

1. Slice all four items in equal size dice (medium). Place on skewers. After assembly, brush with extra virgin olive oil or basil pesto (when basil is in season again!).

Sausage Stuffed Mushroom Caps (enough stuffing for 40 caps)

5 Links Italian Sausage4-5 Pieces Sun Dried Tomatoes2 Lg Eggs

2 Pieces White Bread 1 Clove Minced Garlic Salt and Pepper to Taste

2T Ground Parmesan Cheese1T Fresh Chopped Parsley

1. Squeeze meat out of sausage links. Mix with tomatoes (finely chopped), eggs, garlic, parsley, parmesan and bread (finely ground). Mix until smooth.

2. Cook a small piece of mixture and taste. Adjust seasoning and stuff into mushroom caps. Bake at 350 for about 12-15 minutes until sausage is cooked through. Serve.

Rice Crispies Snowmen Treats

3T Unsalted Butter10oz Package Marshmallows 6 Cups Rice Crispies

1 Package White Bark

1. Melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and melt. Add cereal and stir together. Form while warm into snowmen shape. Insert lollipop sticks into the nether region of snowmen and let cool.

2. Once cooled, melt bark over double boiler until smooth. Dip snowmen into melted bark to coat evenly. Refrigerate until solid.

To form snowmen, you must spray hands with pan spray or rub with butter, so the sticky cereal mix doesn't stick as much to fingers. You can decorate with colored melted bark by adding powdered food coloring to bark and either painting or piping on the colored bark for eyes, hats, scarves,etc...