11 Party-Ready Recipes for All Your Holiday Get-Togethers
Stick with Food Network's best bets for crowd-pleasing fare, from simple sausage balls and shrimp cocktail to hearty ham and sweet, buttery cookies.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Whether your holiday plans include an elegant cocktail party, a traditional seated feast, a seasonal open house or some combination of these events, the key to easy, enjoyable entertaining at any party is a go-to menu of eats and drinks. This holiday season, stick with Food Network's best bets for crowd-pleasing fare, from simple sausage balls and shrimp cocktail to hearty ham and sweet, buttery cookies.
Reinvent the usual Southern appetizer with Italian flair by opting for sweet Italian sausage instead of the plain variety and pairing each baked sausage ball with classic Italian ingredients like creamy mozzarella and fragrant basil. Since these appetizers are served on toothpicks, guests will be able to easily snack with their hands.
Armando Rafael, 2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
When you opt for a big-batch punch like this cranberry-vodka beauty, guests will be able to help themselves throughout the get-together, which means that you won't have to shake up individual drink orders.
A wheel of Brie and a squeeze of honey — that's all it takes to make Ina Garten's quick-fix recipe. The key lies in gently baking the cheese, which softens in the oven.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Chips and dip are a no-fail starter, but for a holiday bash, dress up the usual platter with this tangy recipe, inspired by classic fried crab rangoon dumplings. Here fresh lump crabmeat gets spiked with Worcestershire and soy sauces, then piled atop layers of cream cheese and sweet-and-sour sauce.
Brian Kennedy, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
To infuse layer upon layer of flavor in his good-for-you party starter, Bobby Flay boils the shrimp in a mixture of coriander and lemon, then serves the seafood with a tomatillo-based sauce spiked with jalapeno peppers and horseradish for bold taste.
Brushed with a sweet and savory combination of Dijon mustard and brown sugar, this top-rated ham is baked with pineapple juice in the pan, which promises added moisture in the meat that will complement the caramelized pineapple rings adorning the outside of the ham.
With a piece of meat as impressive as a standing rib roast, Ina keeps the seasoning simple: just salt and pepper. She serves a creamy two-mustard horseradish sauce alongside the beef.
Brian Kennedy, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Not just for Thanksgiving, stuffing will steal the side-dish show at your holiday table too. Giada De Laurentiis' recipe skips the traditional bread base and instead features wild rice, smoky bacon and hearty Brussels sprouts.
With a 5-star rating and more than 400 fan reviews, you can be sure that Ina's two-bite cookies deliver tried-and-true results every time. It's up to you to decide which what flavor of jam — raspberry or apricot — to feature in each buttery coconut-rolled cookie.
Let this wow-worthy dessert display do double duty at your holiday bash. Not only will it offer rich chocolate cupcakes to your guests, but it will also act as a piece of holiday decor.
Marshall Troy, FOOD NETWORK : 2012,Television Food Network,G.P.
Ready to enjoy in only 10 quick minutes, Rachael Ray's cinnamon-spiked sipper is a warming favorite fit for chilly December nights.
