How festive are these! Stuff peppadews
with feta or goat cheese. Photo
courtesy PeppadewUSA.com.

• Skewers. Take long toothpicks and bocconcini (1″ mozzarella balls—the word means “mouthfuls” in Italian) and stack one ball with a piece of red roasted pepper, a small basil leaf and a pitted picholine olive. (We love the bocconcini from Mozzarella Fresca, a NIBBLE Top Pick Of The Week.)
• Canapés. Spread thin slices of baguette or flatbread with soft goat cheese, top with a marinated roma tomato (more tender and mild than a sundried tomato, which can be marinated and substituted), and garnish with baby arugula.
• Winter Caprese Salad. Roasted red peppers and mozzarella with green basil leaves (or mozzarella balls with pesto dip) are simple to organize on a tray.
• Bruschetta. Bruschetta is naturally bright red and green—and easy.

• Peppadews. Bright red peppadews can be stuffed, skewered or used to decorate cheese and canapé plates. (See photo above.)

And don’t forget those holiday mix shuffles!