1. Baked Brie in Filo Cups with Apricot Jam & Almonds
Place ½ tsp. Apricot jam in each of 30 mini filo-dough cups. Top with ½ inch cube of Brie cheese (without the rind). Sprinkle with ¼ tsp. Chopped almonds. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F (until bubbly). Serve warm. Makes 30 cups.
2. Sausage Wontons Gently press wonton wrappers in mini muffin pan coated with cooking spray.
Cook for 6 to 8 minutes at 400°F. Cook 1 pound original sausage in skillet while crumbling with spoon. Let cool. Combine cooked sausage with 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1½ cups shredded Monterey jack cheese, 1 cup ranch dressing, 1 jar chopped green olives, and 1 chopped red bell pepper. Fill wontons with sausage mixture and cook at 350°F for 5 minutes. Makes 48 wontons.
3. Cheese Straws
Roll out 1 package thawed puff pastry sheets on a floured surface. Mix 1 egg with 1 tbsp. Water and brush on pastry. Sprinkle with ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 cup Gruyere cheese. Season with 1 tsp. Dried thyme and kosher salt and pepper, pressing into pastry sheets. Cut each sheet into 12 strips with a sharp knife. Twist strips and place on baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes at 375°F until puffy and brown. Flip over and bake for 2 more minutes. Serve at room temp. Makes 24 straws.
4. Holiday Ham Biscuits
Mix 1 stick softened butter with 2 tsp. Yellow mustard, 1 tbsp. Poppy seeds, and 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce. Slice 1 package party rolls in half lengthwise (without separating the rolls). Spread butter mixture on each half of the rolls. Top one half with ½ lb. Deli ham and 1/3 lb. Sliced Swiss cheese. Cover with top half. Wrap in foil and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F. Slice rolls with knife and serve. Makes 20 biscuits.
5. Spiced Almonds
Whisk together 1 egg white, 1 tsp. Salt, ½ tsp. Cumin, and ¼ tsp. Smoked paprika in a bowl. Add 2 cups almonds and toss to coat. Roast for 20 minutes at 350°F on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Transfer almonds to rack and let cool to crisp. Makes 2 cups almonds.
