It's Christmas Party Time

How would you like to have been a guest invited at this gluten free spread?

Between 50 and 60 folks enjoyed an evening of good food, good conversation and good wine. Did they know they were eating gluten free? Most of them did not.

Here's How I Put Our Christmas Party Together:

• I began with a pristine white tablecloth of linen and  cotton. 
• Using glass blocks as risers, I designed an interesting display of varying heights for platters and serving pieces.
• I used a cranberry colored synthetic blend tablecloth to cover the glass risers.
• Two 3-foot candle holders, which was home to two 3-inch column candles carried the eye upward for a BIG impact.

What's Were Those Yummies on the Table?

Smoked Salmon Spread

(Proprietary Recipe)

Pimento-Olive Cheese Loaf

World's Best Chicken Salad Served on Rice Wafers

(Proprietary Recipe)

Creole Veggie Dip with Veggie Dippers (Recipe)

Creamy Artichoke Caesar Dip

with Against the Grain Toasted Baguettes


Date-Nut Meringue Balls (Recipe)

Mocha-Chocolate Fondue with Marshmallows

Light Fruit & Cheese Tray with 

Maple Infused Fruit Dip (Recipe)

Mints

Toasted Mixed Nuts

Hot Cider

Artisan Wine

WOW!!!!! Lighted Fruit & Cheese Tray

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Blue Cheese and Bacon Dip

 Holidays, just like wine, are about food, friends and fun.  Having a few friends over does not have to be time consuming or complicated. A pretty Battenberg  place mat made the perfect setting for four Lenox holly etched red champagne flutes. 

In addition to the Blue Cheese and Bacon Dip (recipe follows), the complete menu included:

Maple Infused Fruit Dip with Apples  (Recipe)

Cheater's Eggnog  (Recipe)

2 tablespoons butter (no substitutes)

1 large onion, chopped

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 5-ounce package crumbled blue cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup Hellman's mayonnaise
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup bacon

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Place butter in medium skillet over low heat. Add chopped onion and cook, covered for 15 to 20 minutes or until onion begins to caramelize, stirring occasionally. Remove cover; add balsamic vinegar & salt. Stir until vinegar evaporates, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Place cream cheese, blue cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, mix thoroughly. Add onions, garlic powder and crumbled bacon. Combine thoroughly.

4. Spoon mixture into a 1 quart baking dish, and place in preheat oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until brown and bubbly on top. Remove from oven and garnish with dried chives. Serve immediately with gluten free crackers.

Servings: 6

Oven Temperature: 350°F

Recipe Type: Appetizer, Dips, Gluten Free, Holiday, Cheese

Author's Note:   We use gluten free Blue Diamond Rice Crackers

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