5 Vegetarian Appetizer Recipes For Christmas

Create some yummy dishes that are all about the veggies and fruits with these 5 vegetarian appetizer recipes for Christmas. These vegetarian appetizer recipes for Christmas are fairly simple and can be done with mainly the most basic cooking skills. Making vegetables and fruits a bigger part of your Christmas party menu will be easy with these vegetarian appetizer recipes.

Pesto Christmas Tree

Ingredients:

• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 1 tbsp. chopped red peppers
• Cinnamon stick
• Crackers

1. Take one block of cream cheese and cut into triangles. Assemble the pieces on a Christmas-themed plate in the shape of a tree.
2. Cover the cream cheese with presto and use the chopped red peppers for ornaments.
3. Insert the cinnamon stick as the trunk. Serve with crackers.

Cheddar-Chive Gouge’res

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup  butter
• Dash ground red pepper (cayenne)
• 1 cup  flour
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup  shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbsp.  chopped fresh chives

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the water, butter and pepper to a boil. Use a wooden spoon to stir frequently.
3. Add flour. You can add the flour all at once. Be sure to stir until it is well blended.
4. Cook for 2 minutes, while continuing to stir. Do this until the mixture forms a ball.
5. Allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes.
6. Next add the eggs 1 at a time. Stir to blend after each egg.
7. Add the remain ingredients. Stir until they are blended.
8. Using a tablespoons, drop the mixture on a sprayed baking sheet. Be sure to keep the balls about 2 inches apart.
9. Bake for 20 minutes. The balls will be puffed and golden brown.
10. Turn off the oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before removing. Serve warm.

Warm Spinach & Artichoke Cups

• Ingredients:
• 24 won ton wrappers
• 1 can  (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained, finely chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 pkg.  (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
• 1/3 cup mayo with olive oil reduced fat mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red peppers
• 2 cloves  garlic, minced

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spray a muffin pain with cooking spray. Place a won ton wrapper in each cup. The edges will extend over the cup.
3. Bake for 5 minutes.
4. Combine all other ingredients. Spoon the mixture into the wrappers after they have cooked.
5. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. The filling should be heated through and the edges of the cups will be golden brown.

Baked Apricot Spread

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese spread, softened
• 1 cup  shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup  sliced dried apricots
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds
• crackers

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
2. Mix cheese and cream cheese in a bowl. Blend well.
3. Add sour cream and apricots. Bland Well
4. Spread the mixture on a pie plate. Sprinkle with nuts.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Nuts will be lightly toasted and spread should be heated through.
6. Allow to cool. Serve with crackers.

Easy Apple-Cheddar Melts

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp.  ground cinnamon
• 1 each small red and green apple, each cut into 20 slices
• 1 pkg.  (10 oz.) sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 20 slices
• 40 crackers

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cut each cheese slice diagonally. Set aside.
3. Mix sugar and cinnamon.
4. Add apples. Toss apples in mixture until well coated.
5. Put cracker on a baking sheet. Top with one cheese slice and 2 apple slices.
6. Bake for 4 to 5 minutes. Cheese will be meted. Serve warm.