Recipes for Your Holiday Party Table

 

Here are two easy appetizer recipes for your holiday party table complete with wine-pairing suggestions. They are by Livermore resident Leslie Dabney, aka the Vineyard Mom, whose farm-to-table recipes promoting local farmers’ markets are a hit with followers of her frequent podcasts, TV appearances, and IG posts.

 

Cranberry and Brie Tarts

Makes 12 servings

For the Homemade Cranberry Relish

• 1 1/2 pounds fresh cranberries
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• Zest from 1 orange
• Juice of 1 orange

For the Cranberry and Brie Tarts

• 2 cups fresh cranberry sauce or relish
• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 2 (8-ounce) pieces of brie, each cut into 12 slices
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water
• Fresh rosemary chopped for garnish

To make the Homemade Cranberry Relish: Rinse cranberries and discard any damaged ones. Zest the orange with a micro plane or small side of a cheese grater. Grate just the orange part, not the white pith. Next, juice the orange into a measuring container. Place rinsed cranberries, water, sugar, orange juice, and zest into a saucepan. Cook uncovered on medium high heat for 5–7 minutes. Some of the cranberries will pop and some will stay whole. This will make for a great texture. Stir frequently. Let relish cool.

To make the Cranberry and Brie Tarts: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut each piece of puff pastry into 6 rectangles. Place 2–3 pieces of brie cheese in the middle of the puff pastry, leaving a small border on all sides. Spoon 1–2 teaspoons of cranberry relish over the brie cheese pieces. Using the back of a spoon, carefully press the relish into the cheese. Fold the four edges inward to enclose the brie. Using a pastry brush, carefully brush the edges with the egg and water mixture. Transfer the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes until the brie has melted and the puff pastry is golden brown.

Wine pairing suggestions: Piper Sonoma Brut Sparkling and Concannon 2023 Reserve Rosé of Petite Sirah

 

Three Cheese Fondue Appetizer Board

For the Cheese Fondue:

• 1 cup dry white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 7 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 7 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 7 ounces Emmentaler cheese, shredded

Items for dipping: apples, pears, cooked asparagus, cooked small red potatoes, bread, bread sticks, nuts, slices of smoked sausage and cured meats

Heat the wine to a small saucepan set over low heat. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the flour until it forms a thick paste. Add the wine into the mixture and whisk until smooth. Gradually add in all three cheeses and stir until melted, about 5 minutes. Transfer cheese into a fondue pot and keep warm over a low flame.

Wine pairing suggestions: Omega Road 2023 Torrontés and Rodney Strong 2022 Reserve Chardonnay