Need Inspiration for Christmas Party Snack

[AmeliaJane]

As my part of the holiday festivities, I will be providing a meal of light snacks one evening. Since I have a killer schedule at this time of year, it will mostly be frozen hors d'oeuvres reheated, which is fine by everybody. But I would like to have at least one dish that involves fresh fruit or vegetables to balance out the rich food being eaten during the rest of the day--something other than a fruit or veggie platter.

For some reason I am not coming up with any ideas. Any suggestions for something tasty, simple to make, and finger-friendly?

[Tiam]

How about a mango or peach salsa or chutney?

[sweetana3]

Fresh pineapples are available here and cut into chuncks would be a sweet and juicy alternative. No need to decorate or add anything to it. Radishes are often overlooked but can be left whole and give a red color or cut for smaller pieces. Crunchy and again simple.

[Rosemary]

Here's something that I took to a gathering a couple of months ago. It was the first item to vanish.

1 head cauliflower, separated into florets about 3/4" - cut the large ones into pieces this size
enough olive oil to lightly coat (about 2 tsp)
garam marsala (preferred) or curry powder plus a little extra cumin
Sprinkle with spices and place on baking sheet. Cover with another baking sheet. Put into preheated 400 degree oven, leaving covered for about 10 minutes to gently steam the cauliflower. Remove covering and roast for about 10-15 minutes, until lightly browned and slightly crisp.

[Miss Cellane]

At a recent party, they had little fruit kababs. Two pieces of fruit per toothpick. I remember a piece of melon and a strawberry; a piece of pineapple and a marachino cherry, apple and grape, tangerine and a few blueberries. That platter was the first to be completely emptied.

[catherine]

How about cherry tomatoes stuffed with a dip or cream cheese and then topped with a sprig of basil.. the red and green might be Christmas-y

[Miss Cellane]

How about cherry tomatoes stuffed with a dip or cream cheese and then topped with a sprig of basil.. the red and green might be Christmas-y

I've made cherry tomatoes stuffed with a mix of mayo and crumbled bacon, topped with a sprig of parsley. They taste like mini-BLTs. If you try this, it helps to slice a tiny bit off the bottom of the tomato, so that it will sit on the plate without rolling. They are a tiny bit time0-consuming though, as you have to scoop out the insides of the tomato. But they are very good.

[cattledog]

How about something like cucumbers filled with hummus? Or endive leaves filled with something light (goat cheese spread, dill dip, etc.)?

[Rosemary]

stuffed mushrooms are good, too. You can make the stuffing out of anything - for instance, spinach + feta cheese. Bake the mushrooms after stuffing.

[SteveinMN]

http://i50.tinypic.com/2e3su2o.jpg

Beet carpaccio? I made this a few months ago. It's very adaptable. Use red beets, Chioggia beets, golden beets, whatever green you want (please no iceberg lettuce!), even the cheese can be different if you already have something flavorful on hand.

2 pounds beets (about 4 large)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups arugula, watercress, mâche or other flavorful greens
2 tablespoons olive oil, or more if you like
1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
1 lemon, cut into wedges

Peel the beets and slice them as thinly as possible with a mandoline or the slicing blade of a food processor. Spread the beet slices in a thin layer on a serving platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then top with the greens. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper and drizzle with the oil. Scatter the shaved Parmesan on top and serve with the lemon wedges.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

[citrine]

Spinach, artichoke, and cream cheese dip....mix together and bake in oven till bubbly and serve with vegetables and crusty bread.