Judy a la Carte: Easy and Elegant Holiday Food to Share with Friends

By Judy Gilliard, "Judy a la carte"

Holidays are about spending quality time with friends and family and we should take the time to spread some holiday cheer! A perfect way to do so would be a planned dinner out or having friends stop by for a cocktail and appetizers. With a little bit of preparation, you and your friends can enjoy yourselves with some good food, drink and holiday cheer.

Tapenade

A tapenade is not only good topped on a cracker or baguette, but also when mixed in with some pasta. This also makes a nice hostess gift when placed in an airtight container.

Serves 6

8 ounces black olives, pitted

3 Tablespoons capers

1 teaspoon anchovy paste

1 teaspoon garlic paste

1/2 cup olive oil

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1 Tablespoon fresh parsley

1 large baguette

      olive oil spray  

1. Combine all ingredients in food processor and process until chunky.  

2. Slice baguette in 1/2-inch slices, spray with olive oil spray and toast.

3. Serve tapenade on baguette toast.

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 415 Calories; 24g Fat (52.7% calories from fat); 7g Protein; 42g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 850mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 2 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 5 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

 
Hummus

Hummus is becoming more and more popular, however I bet you didn’t realize how easy it is to make! Additionally, it is full of fiber and protein.

Serves 16

1 pound chickpeas, cooked

1 teaspoon sesame oil

2 teaspoons garlic, roasted

1/2 teaspoon cumin

4 fluid ounces lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

cayenne pepper, to taste

1 Tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped

1. Combine the chickpeas, sesame oil, garlic, cumin and lemon juice in a food processor. Process until smooth, season with salt and cayenne.
   
   
2. Spoon the hummus onto a serving platter and smooth the surface. Drizzle the olive oil over the hummus and garnish with the chopped parsley. Serve with warm pita bread that has been cut into quarters.

Per Serving: 115 Calories; 3g Fat (20.7% calories from fat); 6g Protein; 18g Carbohydrate; 5g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 141mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat.

Olive Cheddar Spread

I always keep a cheese spread in the fridge to have as snack on crackers and for when a friend stops by for a glass of wine.  One of my favorites is Olive Cheddar Spread.

Serves 6

8 ounces cottage cheese, dry curd

4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded

6 medium green olives

2 ounces pimentos

      1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1. Put cottage cheese and cheddar cheese in food processor with steel blade and process until smooth.

2. Place olives and pimentos in processor and pulse two or three times until chopped.

3. Place in airtight container and refrigerate.

Per Serving : 115 Calories; 7g Fat (54.3% calories from fat); 11g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 22mg Cholesterol; 162mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat.

Sesame Pork Appetizers

I love pork tenderloin and this recipe is a party pleaser.

Serves 6

1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin

1/2 cup dry sherry

1 Tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1/3 cup soy sauce

1 Tablespoon sesame oil

1 Tablespoon dry sherry

1 clove garlic, crushed

1/2 teaspoon grated ginger

1 green onion, finely chopped

Spinach leaves

1. In a dish large enough to hold the tenderloin, combine the sherry and soy sauce. Add the pork. Let marinate, 1-2 hours, turning several times. Remove the tenderloin.

2. Spread the honey on a plate. Roll the pork in the honey, then add the sesame seeds. Place the tenderloin in a roast pan and roast at 350ºF for 20 minutes, or until meat thermometer registers 155ºF. Let it stand for 5 minutes, then slice diagonally.
   
   
3. Combine all remaining ingredients for the dipping sauce. Place in a bowl in the center of a serving platter. Surround the bowl with the spinach leaves. Arrange pork slices on top.

 
Per Serving 334 Calories; 12g Fat (33.1% calories from fat); 28g Protein; 28g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 56mg Cholesterol; 1142mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 3 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrates

 
Asian BBQ Chicken Thighs Bits

I love these Asian chicken bits--you would never guess that there are so few ingredients.

Serves 8

1 cup soy sauce, low sodium

2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce

1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder

8 chicken thighs without skin

1. Mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce and five-spice powder in a large plastic bag.

2. Place chicken thighs in a bag, coating all sides of the chicken. Seal and refrigerate up to 24 hours and as few as 15 minutes.
   
   
3.  Cook on the outdoor or indoor grill on medium heat until thoroughly cooked. Cut into bite-sized pieces and place on a platter with toothpicks in them.

Per Serving 110 Calories; 3g Fat (23.9% calories from fat); 16g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 57mg Cholesterol; 1324mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.