March 04, 2004

By: Martin Collins
Website: http://www.1st-in-steaks.com

Time-saving recipe variations provide flexibility without sacrificing taste

While your holiday schedule may not be flexible, the food you serve can be. This year, cheese makes holiday entertaining simpler than ever with easy, easier and easiest appetizer recipes that allow party hosts to do as much – or as little – as they have time for.

With the easy/easier/easiest approach, you begin with an already easy appetizer centered on cheese as the main ingredient. Then, by removing or adapting a few ingredients, it’s made even easier. Finally, the easiest preparation is cheese straight off the block paired with on-hand ingredients like fruit and crackers.

“Whether you’re an everyday gourmet or an every-now-and-then entertainer, a simple, adaptable recipe helps lighten the load,” says Laura Werlin, cheese expert and author of The All American Cheese and Wine Book. “Cheese is a great ingredient -- it’s versatile and varied. Plus, there’s a flood of new American-made cheeses and plenty of existing great ones -- making cheese a popular party food you can use in anything from seasonal recipes to simple cheese trays.”

At this year’s holiday gatherings, take the easy/easier/easiest approach to fondue. Make it easy with Savory Swiss Fondue with Chicken and Vegetable Dippers, a smooth combo of baby Swiss, milk and butter served with chunks of broiled chicken and seasonal veggies for dipping. Or, make it even easier with Simple Swiss Fondue, a three-ingredient version that cuts out a few preparation steps and time, without sacrificing the flavor of the original fondue. If truly in a party pinch, this appetizer can be pared down to the best part: the cheese. A block of baby Swiss, toasted almonds and green grapes are simple but satisfying and provide the easiest variation.

With the easy/easier/easiest approach, you can also pair one basic hors d’oeuvre with an accompanying sauce, dip or glaze, but can always skip that step if time-pressed. For example, Werlin’s Cheddar-Parmesan Crackers with Apple-Pear Butter make an easy, upscale appetizer. But if short for time, make only the Cheddar-Parmesan Crackers – preparation is easier and the crackers are just as good by themselves. Or, for the easiest option of all, serve a cheese board featuring the Cheddar and the Parmesan, along with figs, dried cherries and apples.

For more holiday recipes – and to purchase the cheeses to make them – visit the American Dairy Association’s Web site, ilovecheese.com, the site for everything cheese. While you’re there, sign-up for Cheese Chatter, the ADA’s monthly e-newsletter loaded with recipes, tips, freebies and more!

Try holiday entertaining the low-fat way. Substitute a lower fat Cheddar in the Cheddar-Parmesan Crackers and you’ll be on your way to getting 3-A-Day of Dairy for stronger bones. Eating 3-A-Day of Dairy is a deliciously easy way for families to meet their calcium needs and packs a powerful punch of nine essential nutrients needed for stronger bones and better bodies.

Also see: party appetizers

Author Notes:

Martin Collins contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-steaks.com.  Great tips on buying top quality meats, steaks and seafood from the finest ranchers and butchers.