Tis the Season….

Thanksgiving is a distant memory. Well, perhaps not “distant” but it is over. Hopefully it was a good one for you and your family. I know ours was wonderful, relaxing and a great start to the holiday season. I love this time of year, don’t you?

As most of you have probably figured out by now, I love food holidays. Any excuse to try new dishes, bake tasty goodies and indulge in food creativity is a great occasion to be sure! While I know the food is not the biggest part of this holiday season that starts with the biggest food holiday of them all, it is a time to really enjoy some creative time in the kitchen.

So, have you started your list yet? Have you checked it twice to make sure you have everything on there? No, I’m not talking about the wish list for Santa, I’m talking about your list of party foods you want to make this holiday season. Trust me, I have and it is, as always, a long one. That is one of my favorite parts of this job, I get to try more than my fair share of tasty treats so I can share the best of them with you!

My list includes quick fixing main dish ideas, breads, side dishes and of course sweet treats too! I can’t forget the snack foods we all love to indulge in this time of year, but perhaps should try to not over do. Everything in moderation, right? I’ll admit it, the “moderation” part of that is often hard for me when it comes to cheesecake, chocolate or a tasty appetizer.

While I can’t share any of my “yet to make” dishes from my list, I can share a few of my favorites from years past. Trust me, there are many! I keep trying to tell you, I love food, love combining ingredients to create a “heaven on earth” kind of treat. Of course my list is long.

Parties with family and friends are a constant this time of year. Everyone trying to get to see as many loved ones as they can this time of year. You know there is never an end to the tasty dishes that one could bring to a party, and the goal is to bring home an empty plate, right? If it’s empty, then it was a hit (or the dog got to it, but we won’t go there).

Some of my favorite party foods are finger foods that can be eaten in one bite. Mini Cheese Balls are a huge hit at any party! Another favorite around my place are Cranberry Glazed Meatballs. We can’t forget the bacon, Bacon Wrapped Smokies are a must have on your party menu.

Another party favorite are cheese balls, logs and dips. They are super easy to do up ahead of time and always seem to be a hit with any crowd. From Hot Artichoke Dip to a Bacon-Broccoli Cheese Ball, add a basket of corn chips or gluten-free crackers to complete the dish. There are many bean dip recipes from mild to spicy. Don’t forget the Hummus, it’s a tasty change from the ordinary. Serve it with veggies and you have a tasty snack that is also super good for you too. Sounds like a great option to me.

So many tasty options, and only so many holiday parties to take them all to. The sky is the limit, as they say, and Gling has most of them in our recipe section. So, when you get that next party invite and need a tasty dish to take with you to share, come check our list of favorites out!