Pin It A dazzling trio of festive appetizers blending global flavors to brighten any holiday gathering Includes Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites, Mini Caprese Skewers, and Spiced Moroccan Meatballs
Preparation Time: 25 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Category: Appetizer Difficulty: Easy Cuisine: International Yield: 24 bites + 12 skewers + 24 meatballs (serves 8-10) Diet: Omnivore (vegetarian option for skewers and pastry bites)
Ingredients
- Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites: 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed 120 g (4 oz) brie cheese, cut into 24 small cubes 4 tbsp cranberry sauce 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish
- Mini Caprese Skewers: 12 cherry tomatoes 12 mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini) 12 fresh basil leaves 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp balsamic glaze Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Spiced Moroccan Meatballs: 500 g (1.1 lb) ground beef or lamb 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp black pepper 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying) 100 ml (⅓ cup) plain yogurt (for dipping) 1 tsp harissa paste (optional, for mixing into yogurt)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) Line two baking sheets with parchment paper
- For Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites:
- a Cut the puff pastry into 24 squares Place each square into a mini muffin tin b Add a cube of brie and ½ tsp cranberry sauce to each c Brush pastry edges with egg wash d Bake for 13–15 minutes until golden Garnish with thyme
- For Mini Caprese Skewers:
- a Thread one cherry tomato, one basil leaf, and one mozzarella ball onto each skewer b Arrange on a platter Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze, and season with salt and pepper
- For Spiced Moroccan Meatballs:
- a In a bowl, mix ground meat, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, salt, and pepper b Form into 24 small meatballs c Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat Fry meatballs, turning, until browned and cooked through (8–10 minutes) d Mix yogurt and harissa (if using) for dipping
- Step 5:
- Arrange all appetizers on festive platters and serve warm or at room temperature
Pin It Allergen Information Contains dairy (brie, mozzarella, yogurt) and gluten (puff pastry) Meatballs contain alliums (onion, garlic) Always check puff pastry and cheese labels for allergens or cross-contamination
Required Tools
Mini muffin tin Baking sheets Mixing bowls Skewers or toothpicks Skillet or frying pan Knife and cutting board
Nutritional Information
Calories 320 Total Fat 18 g Carbohydrates 20 g Protein 16 g
Wine Pairing
Sparkling wine or a light-bodied red
Pin It This festive trio is perfect for holiday parties or casual gatherings Enjoy the burst of flavors and easy preparation
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I prepare these appetizers ahead of time?
Yes, puff pastry bites and meatballs can be made earlier and reheated gently. Skewers are best assembled fresh to retain their texture.
- → What alternatives suit vegetarians?
Replace meatballs with mushroom or falafel balls and keep puff pastry and skewers as is for a vegetarian-friendly trio.
- → How should I serve the spicy Moroccan meatballs?
Serve meatballs warm with a yogurt and harissa dip to balance the spices and enhance flavor complexity.
- → What type of cheese works best for the puff pastry bites?
Brie cheese offers a creamy texture and mild flavor that pairs well with cranberry sauce and thyme garnish.
- → Is there a recommended wine pairing?
Sparkling wine or a light-bodied red complements the variety of flavors without overpowering the appetizers.