Spiced mixed nuts
Smoked almond and goat cheese olives
Zesty deviled eggs
Bacon roll-ups
I took step-by-step photos of the nuts and the olives, as these are the healthier and more interesting items.
Note: I tripled this recipe for the large group (and to have leftovers!).
Yields 2 cups
Ingredients:
2 T butter
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 T water
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. ground cayenne
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts)
Directions:
Mix spices and reserve.
Heat nuts in a skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to toast, about 4 minutes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNisfD1lCjCzTVxNUQtzoIIz2yPZ0fnLFd4qiOF-YhPGQHpUCCTmCFxnFy-CAU04x8HWPgWzQyGJRhk-ky_pH7KvKiVnQABzebtoHp1HgI_6GlAo2n2xYeiM7vrbTD2xyQXlIRmQ8uYc0/s320/100_3718.JPG)
Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4QhIJAQkcz3LN2y_xUNb4FzpVHkBNBje8p-vHGoFjco0qiqrylIOlKaGHK1MT0yioqAePVYQQyD49MKJrNp8NGl8VsG7zxNQwda3I6LIbrZ90J-J0rsCiKDEqErNy1T9PtE22dpV64I/s320/100_3719.JPG)
Add butter, sugar, water and spices to the hot skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until a glaze forms, about 1 minute.
Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
Add butter, sugar, water and spices to the hot skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until a glaze forms, about 1 minute.
Return the nuts to the skillet and toss to combine with the glaze.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hn1TmrKuvTh_LR5YxhJGOkX18jQJ__32J6HjoDRrrFJngHE6H_LqtSm3BTcAz0uelVDWAJ5SxHdgrXGwsFdVMNSkQyrMstqkcZJRDnx61SIBvk5lOWDKV9oavfVCgl2NfFJTyxNHCQM/s320/100_3725.JPG)
Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the nuts are glazed and golden brown.
Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the nuts are glazed and golden brown.
Remove from heat and transfer to a baking sheet lined with foil, separating with a fork.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKS-k01nYNXV6-3Z8cdKysk6aDmOwAzkCFMmQE44lJtK6oy_Fdg3-1pyRjLnCoe7KyfXsRts0uSaAFUYh9vLfQjJhrUsQqKndh1GOZregNoMZNAM9sIe_OT-RZrqxPc_tdu72jD5GJVd4/s320/100_3727.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKDojfqTddxvsUJaIs2CdmZw8bQUrjWxK9vpX61Vusr6C5lwMhVWKQihbv4m2bNGDdRSg-1S8Pz8q8gZ_80jduA-qD-hEuFJIgizFKVz8hyphenhyphen3fHIBw3zV6oC_CTXZSiJb_cvyd5FIsWd4/s320/100_3728.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPI9_ZB24h-RiccI2FU91-ebcoUgu6A8R7w-7ws3L18gWNl8NaVQcK9Aoj8aN3GchLGGs45UX-ns0s1e3_8Giz_jHh67h8oGPLYPMqPWrLiTpQ1HVNeWBZd5GBox37Jc0HqywJF54G9I/s320/100_3732.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTH5MaKGVba6ZSnYyzlHD1_h_k_KiVU21wGT1yT54msM_3ir5TAgPPkr7r0qAvzqEmIin7s8KuATfAWsHVhjT6fq9Mwu6KFyHGohzatpHcI0Dw3Hee8xQ7edU51PD6NPb6YXI7qy5OLo/s320/100_3733.JPG)
Let rest until cooled and the sugar has hardened, about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container. Serve in a decorative bowl for some extra pizazz.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBrOFVcEITPc_u8DZYV5OAago2Pri48bIi9Qqb-MRvpVjCRkzgrS0TCiyRQo0q5-Iiei077hOtPGqyGKuNA-fott_QfZbsMXzv8U0HXlUR4Fa2VoCxb6pLCJxlpq_EsylZojFcen9MZY/s320/100_3761.JPG)
Let rest until cooled and the sugar has hardened, about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container. Serve in a decorative bowl for some extra pizazz.
Yields 32 olives
Ingredients:
2/3 cup smoked almonds
8 oz goat cheese
32 Spanish green olives, stuffed with pimiento
Directions:
Assemble ingredients.
Add almonds to a small food processor or chopper and pulse briefly to chop. Pour into a small bowl.
Cut the goat cheese into 8 equal pieces, and then cut each piece into 4 equal pieces. Each piece will be about 1/4 ounce.
Wrap each olive with 1/4-oz piece of goat cheese and shape into a ball.
Roll into chopped almonds and place in a container.
Repeat with the remaining cheese, almonds, and olives.
Once the container is filled, cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve on a tray with a toothpick placed in each olive.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7noyyYmL8GW1Ydt3qAC3tIEkXgHF6DzoaC6edJEdyVsLAR42twUQWFT0uO1zTg17G5R39_9T1h2lsx9l4JTHRFhcSNatjB4YMbNFP_K2ETvPfYmrR2rtdQytQhWwu-6fZUiKRy4Z3AdM/s320/100_3760.JPG)
Zesty Deviled Eggs
Yields 24
Ingredients:
12 hard boiled eggs
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Dirty sea salt, pepper
Cayenne pepper
Directions:
Slice all 12 eggs in half and place the yolks in a bowl. Combine the yolks with mayo and mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Use a fork to smooth out yolk clumps. Add small amounts of cayenne to achieve desired spiciness. Place the yolk mixture in a plastic bag, cut the corner of the bag, and fill the egg white halves with the yolk mixture. Sprinkle paprika on top.
Bacon Roll-ups
Yields 40
Ingredients:
20 pieces of white whole wheat bread, crusts removed
8 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
20 slices of bacon
Directions:
Flatten each piece of bread with a rolling pin until very thin. Combine cream cheese and shredded cheese in a bowl. Spread cheese mixture over each slice of bread. Roll each piece of bread up into a tight roll. Cut bacon slices in half, length-wise. Wrap 1 bacon piece, spiraled, around each bread roll-up. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the bacon is fully cooked and the bread is lightly browned.
We served these on a personalized McNamee Thanksgiving platter I gave my inlaws as an early Christmas gift.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvUEx3KxOwLg3RyV8EoFdnT1qR-MOcaKXdJWVSI-QM6DxNasJALNyUOKaGCWgHuFWYEKho888Fr-I8nZao_-xuZiqw121gRrWOLvsSu6orNsDLnE7D2SbtV3PhcUOxzrG4XhZfxwZrxU/s320/100_3762.JPG)
Happy holiday feasting!
*M*
We served these on a personalized McNamee Thanksgiving platter I gave my inlaws as an early Christmas gift.
Happy holiday feasting!
*M*