Sweet and savoury holiday appetizer ideas

Turkey dinner is traditional, but appetizers before the big event or featured at cocktail parties let us get creative with ingredients and flavours. Many recipes don’t require lengthy prep time or complicated instructions — making them perfect for a little experimentation in the kitchen.

Looking for something new this year? We’ve got 10 tasty appetizer ideas to get you started. (Click through the links at the bottom of each recipe to see them all.)

Salmon Appetizer Cups (shown above)

Pre-baked phyllo pastry shells make this appetizer an easy and tasty way to entice your guests.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
15 appetizers

1/3 cup finely chopped pitted ripe olives, drained on paper towels
3 tablespoons garlic and herbs spreadable cheese
15 pre-baked phyllo shells (1 9-ounce package)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, slivered
3 to 4 ounces bay scallops, thawed and patted dry
1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves, optional

Combine olives and spreadable cheese in small bowl; mix well. Spoon evenly into shells (filling 2/3 to 3/4 full); set aside.

Heat olive oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add garlic slivers; cook and stir 10 to 15 seconds until fragrant. Remove and discard garlic. Reduce heat to medium; add scallops. Cook and stir 2 to 4 minutes or until scallops are thoroughly cooked. Remove scallops with slotted spoon.

Place 2 to 3 scallops in each shell, pressing lightly. Serve immediately.

Recipe created by the International Olive Council. Source: www.newscanada.com

Next holiday appetizer idea: Brown Rice Blinis with Smoked Fish and Crème Fraiche.