Cooking Food Cloud: November 2022

Wednesday, 30 November 2022

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

The cutest addition to any holiday party, this Christmas tree charcuterie board is both festive and delicious! It features a delicious mix of salami, prosciutto, cheese, fruits, and nuts, with rosemary sprigs as tree branches! It almost looks too good to eat.

I know it can be tricky trying to figure out what appetizers to serve for holiday parties. When in doubt, make a charcuterie board! You really can’t go wrong! Because they feature so many kinds of treats, there’s something for everyone. This Christmas wreath charcuterie board is a must-make, as well as this fruit charcuterie board! And for Christmas morning- this breakfast charcuterie board is the best thing to wake up to.

Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie Board

Nothing screams Christmas quite like a Christmas tree. The shape is instantly recognizable and will add a little festive charm to all of your holiday parties! Themed charcuterie boards are some of my all-time favorite things to make. They’re fun to assemble, and even more fun to eat! Now, I know that when you see one completed it can sometimes be hard to know where to begin, but making this Christmas tree charcuterie board is actually really easy!

I’ve included all of the steps you need to get started, as well as some ideas of what fruits, nuts, meats, and cheeses to use! The great thing about charcuterie boards, though, is that you can easily customize them to your liking! So feel free to swap out any of the items below for your favorite holiday treats! Whether you’re a seasoned charcuterie veteran or it’s your first time making a board, it’s sure to be a hit. It’s a surefire way to impress your guests (and make their stomachs happy).

Let’s Start With the Board!

First and foremost, you’re going to need the board itself. I would recommend using a rectangular charcuterie board to match the size and shape of the Christmas tree. You can also use a rectangular cutting board!

The Recipe Critic Recommendation

Rectangular Charcuterie Board

JK Adams Grafton Cherry Wood 20×12 Inch Serving Board

The rectangular shape of this board makes it great for a Christmas tree charcuterie! The cherry wood is stunning and sure to be a showstopper on any holiday dinner table.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK

Work From the Top Down

Let’s start! To begin making your Christmas tree charcuterie, add a narrow layer of almonds at the top. You can also use other nut varieties, such as walnuts or pecans.

Use Cinnamon Almonds for Your Christmas Tree Charcuterie

If you really want to be festive, try using cinnamon almonds! These are one of my favorite Christmas treats. It’s impossible to stop at one with their sweet flavor and caramelized texture. You can easily make a batch in your slow cooker using my recipe here.

Add Meat and Olives

To continue creating the shape of the Christmas charcuterie, add layers of green olives and prosciutto under the almonds. These are the meats I used, but feel free to swap these out for your favorite kind!

Italian Dry Salame
Prosciutto

Prosciutto is soft and savory, whereas Italian dry salame is loaded with delicious spices! Both add great complimentary flavors with the rest of the items on the board. If you can’t find prosciutto, you can also use pepperoni slices.

The Next Layer for Your Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board – Fruit!

You can never go wrong with fresh fruit! This is usually what my family will go for to tide themselves over while dinner is still cooking. To add a pop of color and fresh flavor, here are the fruits I used. Again, feel free to switch these out for your favorites! Grapes and sugared cranberries are great options for the holidays.

Kiwis
Blueberries
Raspberries
Green Olives

Closeup of cheese and berry layers on charcuterie board.

Give Me the Cheese!

Adding cheese to your Christmas tree charcuterie board is a great way to play with flavors and textures. (And if you’ve been eyeing a delicious, fancy cheese at the grocery store, here’s an opportunity to use it!)

Wensleydale With Cranberries
Small Mozzarella Cheese Pearls
Muenster Cheese Slices (cut into snowflake and star shapes)

Christmas is the perfect time to use everything cranberry. Wensleydale is a firm, nutty cheese and the tart flavor of cranberry complements it perfectly! Mozzarella balls are a must-add (hello, creamy milky goodness!) and muenster slices are perfect for cutting shapes out of. The stars are the cutest finishing touch to your charcuterie tree!

The Recipe Critic Recommendation

Star-Shaped Cookie Cutters

5pc Stainless Steel Snowflakes Cookie Cutter Set – Wondershop

You’ll want to use small, star-shaped cookie cutters for your cheese details. I love this set with a variety of different sizes and shapes!

CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK

Don’t Forget the Crackers!

Here are a few more things I used for the layers of this Christmas tree! I love adding crackers, chips, and pretzels to my charcuterie boards because of their salty flavor and delicious crunch.

Round Crackers
Pretzel Sticks

Salty things like crackers, chips, and nuts are great for adding to your charcuterie board because they balance out the sweetness of the fruit. You can swap out the round crackers for another variety like Triscuits, Club crackers, or pita chips. If you want more sweets on your board, you can also use cookies or biscuits!

The Finishing Touch- Rosemary Sprigs!

Not only do rosemary sprigs smell AMAZING, but they’re the cutest finishing touch to this Christmas tree charcuterie board! They look like little tree branches!

Adding prosciutto to the Christmas tree charcuterie.

Assembling Your Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Here are all of the steps together so that your charcuterie-making process is seamless! Trust me, once you make your first charcuterie board, you’ll be addicted. It’s so fun! And the end result is delicious, which definitely doesn’t hurt.

Start With Almonds: On a large rectangular wooden board start with the top of the tree with almonds.
Green Olives: Then create layers underneath creating a Christmas tree shape followed with the green olives.
Prosciutto Slices: Add prosciutto underneath.
Fruit: Next, add your raspberries.
Cheese: Follow with a layer of mozzarella pearls.
Repeat Layers: Add layers of salame, blueberries, Wensleydale cheese with cranberries, kiwis, and then round crackers at the bottom.
Cut Out Star Shapes: Cut the sliced muenster cheese with snowflake and star shapes and then add it to the board.
Finish With Rosemary: Then garnish the tree with rosemary.

Adding cubes of Wensleydale cheese to the charcuterie board.

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword christmas tree charcuterie, christmas tree charcuterie board

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

Meats:

Italian Dry Salame
Prosciutto

Fruits:

2 Kiwis
Blueberries

Cheese:

Wensleydale with Cranberries
Small Mozzarella Cheese Pearls
Muenster Cheese Slices cut into snowflake and star shapes
Green olives
Almonds
Round Crackers
Pretzel Sticks
Rosemary for garnish

Instructions

On a large rectangular wooden board start with the top of the tree with almonds. Then create layers underneath creating a tree shape followed with the green olives, prosciutto, raspberries, mozzarella pearls, Salami, blueberries, Wensleydale cheese with cranberries, kiwis, and round crackers.
Cut the sliced muenster cheese with snowflake and star shapes and add it to the board. Garnish the tree with rosemary.

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White Hot Chocolate

White Hot Chocolate is a rich and creamy decadent drink that melts in your mouth with a smooth, sweet white chocolate and vanilla flavoring. Warm up with this delicious hot chocolate throughout the entire holiday season!

Yummy, seasonal drinks make the winter season even better. If you love sitting by a fire with a mug in hand try this Classic Eggnog Recipe, this delicious Slow Cooker Apple Cider (2 Ways) or this easy Wassail!

White Hot Chocolate

If you love classic hot cocoa then you are in for a treat! This delightful twist on a winter favorite is so good that you may never go back to the original! This white hot chocolate is creamy and has just enough of a hit of white chocolate flavor that it’s different and tasty, but not overwhelming.

This recipe is simple to make. I love serving this white hot chocolate at family parties or gatherings with friends because it’s always a surprise to the guests when they take a sip. But every single time, they leave the party asking for the recipe! Give it a try, you will absolutely love it!

Ingredients in Homemade White Hot Chocolate

This is a simple and easy white hot chocolate recipe. It is SO smooth, rich and creamy plus, it’s very simple to make! Check out the ingredients at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Milk: I prefer 1 percent or 2 percent milk. If you want this a bit creamier then you can also use whole milk, half and half,or heavy cream instead.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of this vanilla extract will add so much flavor to the white hot chocolate recipe.
White Chocolate: This ingredient is the star of the show. To get it nice and fine, try chopping it up with a food processor.
Whipped Cream: I use this to go on top but my kids love using mini marshmallows too!
Nutmeg: This is optional but it adds a deep flavor that really reminds me of the holidays.

How to Make White Hot Chocolate

White chocolate has a low melting point so you do not want to overcook it! Carefully follow these directions, and you will soon be sipping on this delicious drink by your fire!

Combine: Whisk together milk, chocolate, and vanilla in a small saucepan.
Cook: Cook over medium-low heat, occasionally stirring, until the white hot chocolate comes to a simmer. (Do not let it come to a boil.)
Garnish: Remove from heat and serve immediately. Top it with some whipped cream or marshmallows if desired

Variations

Change things up with this delicious white hot chocolate and you can make it all season long! Here are some ideas to try so that you can make it to fit your needs.

Cream: Use any kind of milk you prefer, such as whole, low-fat, skim, nondairy, almond milk, or any milk percentages. For more decadence, add a splash of cream or half-and-half to add a rich and creamy flavoring. Blend any of these combinations as well.
Chocolate: Milk or dark chocolate works well with this recipe too. A blend of milk or dark with white chocolate is another way to enhance this warm drink for the winter season.
Toppings: This is my kids’ favorite part! The toppings! Try garnishing this with mini chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, Andes mints, or heath bits. Hang a little candy cane over the top to make this festive for the holidays!
Seasonings: Try sprinkling in some cinnamon, pumpkin spice, allspice, or nutmeg. You can also add in a dash of peppermint extract to change up the entire flavor!

White hot chocolate in a pot with a wooden spoon.

Tips

White hot chocolate can be tricky to work with. Here are a few tips to ensure this delicious drink turns out perfect every time!

Freeze: Before chopping or grating your white chocolate pieces, freeze them. This will help prevent the white chocolate from melting or becoming too soft.
How to Chop: For more finely chopped white chocolate, you can use a blender or food processor if needed. Chopping or grating your white chocolate will also be fine.
Don’t Overcook It: Once it is simmering, take it off the stove immediately before it starts to boil. You don’t want to overcook it!
Garnish: Toast your white hot chocolate using a broiler or a kitchen torch to caramelize the top.

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The top view of some white hot chocolate in glass cups with whipped cream on top.

How to Make White Hot Chocolate Ahead of Time

Making ahead: Follow the instructions accordingly, then let cool entirely once simmered. Place in an airtight container. Your white hot chocolate will become hard in the refrigerator.
Warming up: This white hot chocolate is great for making ahead; however, you will want to warm it up slowly and bring it to a simmer. Then remove quickly to serve.

White Hot Chocolate

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword chocolate, drinks, hot chocolate, hot drink, warm drinks, white chocolate, white hot chocolate

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings

Calories 227kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

4 cups milk of choice (you can substitute half and half or heavy cream)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces white chocolate chopped into small pieces
whipped cream or marshmallows for topping
nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

Stir together milk, chocolate, and vanilla in a small saucepan.
Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the white hot chocolate comes to a simmer. (Do not let it come to a boil.)
Remove from heat and serve immediately, topped with whipped cream or marshmallows if desired.

Notes

Updated on November 30, 2022

Original Post on November 15, 2012

Nutrition

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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs have become a weeknight staple in my house. An easy recipe that you can whip up super fast!

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These easy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs take only minutes to prep and are very versatile. You can switch up the spices to change the flavors. This recipe can serve 3 to 6 people, depending on how many thighs you want per serving. To make it a meal I usually serve it with a big salad on the side. More air fryer recipes you may love are these Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets, Air Fryer Chicken Milanese, and Air Fryer Chicken Breast.

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The post Air Fryer Chicken Thighs appeared first on Skinnytaste.

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Sweet and Savory Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Bacon-wrapped shrimp coated in a sweet and savory glaze and broiled to perfection. The perfect easy appetizer or main course!

Let’s be honest, anything wrapped in bacon is amazing. Try serving bacon-wrapped asparagus, dates, or carrots at your next potluck! These appetizers will be a hit with everyone.

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Recipe

You know what they say…everything is always better with bacon! In the case of this bacon wrapped shrimp, that is most definitely the case. Shrimp on their own are great, but when you add bacon to the mix you get an amazingly delicious appetizer that will be the hit of any party. Plus, it’s ready in less than 30 minutes to make your life a little easier!

The shrimp is tossed in a sticky glaze, made with soy sauce maple syrup, and chili powder. I love it because it’s the perfect combination of savory and sweet! This bacon wrapped shrimp is beyond easy to make, but is such an impressive appetizer. Trust me, it’s going to fly off the dinner table! For all of you shrimp lovers out there, another great recipe to try is this garlic shrimp, inspired by the food trucks of Hawaii!

All Ingredients Needed

This is one of my favorite appetizers to make because it uses such simple ingredients. The shrimp marinade whips up with just a handful of pantry staples! Although the ingredient list is simple, you’re going to be amazed at the incredible flavor packed in each bite! See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Shrimp: I used extra large shrimp!
Bacon: To make sure your bacon is nice and crispy, you can either cook your bacon beforehand or use precooked bacon for easy prep!
Maple Syrup: Creates the perfect texture for the glaze. I also love it because it adds the perfect sweetness.
Soy Sauce: I love using soy sauce for marinades. It makes meat nice and tender and adds the best savory flavor.
Chili Powder: I love the touch of spice that chili powder adds to the shrimp. You can omit this if you want the glaze to be on the sweeter side!
Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.
Chopped Parsley: I love using fresh chopped parsley on top for garnish. Not only does it look pretty, but it adds extra flavor as well.
Cooking Spray: To keep the shrimp from sticking to the pan.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

The shrimp get tossed in a super easy maple and soy sauce marinade while the bacon is par cooking in the oven. You can marinate the shrimp for anywhere from 10 minutes to 8 hours for more flavor! Bacon wrapped shrimp is a classic appetizer. You’ll want to come back to it again and again!

Precooking the Bacon, Preparing the Marinade:

Preheat Oven, Prep Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with foil and coat with cooking spray.
Partially Bake the Bacon: Lay the slices of bacon out in a single layer on the pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until bacon is partially cooked.
Cool for 5 minutes, then cut each slice of bacon in half crosswise.
Whisk Marinade Ingredients Together: While the bacon is cooking, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl.
Reserve: Remove 2 tablespoons of the marinade and reserve for later use.
Toss Shrimp in Glaze: Place the shrimp in the bowl and toss to coat in the marinade. Cover the bowl and chill; marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Broiling the Bacon Wrapped Shrimp:

Preheat Broiler: Preheat the broiler. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
Wrap With Bacon: Wrap one piece of bacon around each shrimp and secure with a toothpick.
Broil: Place the shrimp in the oven and broil for 5 minutes, or until shrimp is pink and bacon is crispy.
Flip, Continue to Cook: Flip the shrimp and broil for 1-2 minutes more on the other side.
Brush With Extra Marinade: Remove from oven and brush with reserved marinade. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.

Closeup of sweet and savory bacon-wrapped shrimp.

Tips and Tricks

There are a couple of things to consider when making the perfect bacon wrapped shrimp. First off is the size of the shrimp. The other consideration is the bacon itself.

Shrimp Size: You want to go with the largest shrimp you can afford for this recipe, these shrimp were 12 to a pound, 20 to a pound would also work fine. If you use a small sized shrimp, you run the risk of the shrimp getting overcooked before the bacon is crispy.
Cooking the Bacon Beforehand: I always par-cook my bacon before I wrap it around the shrimp. This way, I’m sure to end up with crispy bacon and tender shrimp that cook at the same rate. I also always use thin-cut bacon for this recipe to ensure that it’ll crisp up quickly.
Serving Suggestions: I serve bacon wrapped shrimp either as an appetizer or as a main course over rice. Regardless of how you serve them, these shrimp are bound to get rave reviews!

Storing Leftover Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

I recommend serving this tasty appetizer as soon as possible. They taste the best when they’re fresh out of the oven! If you do happen to have some leftover, here’s how to store them for later.

In the Refrigerator: Store leftover bacon wrapped shrimp in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
To Reheat: Pop your shrimp in the microwave, oven, or broiler for a few minutes or until warmed through.

Picking up a piece of shrimp wrapped in bacon.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Bacon-wrapped shrimp coated in a sweet and savory glaze and broiled to perfection. The perfect easy appetizer or main course!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword bacon wrapped shrimp, bacon wrapped shrimp recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings

Calories 284kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

16 extra large shrimp
8 slices bacon
5 tablespoons maple syrup
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with foil and coat with cooking spray.
Lay the slices of bacon out in a single layer on the pan.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until bacon is partially cooked.
Cool for 5 minutes, then cut each slice of bacon in half crosswise.
While the bacon is cooking, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl.
Remove 2 tablespoons of the marinade and reserve for later use.
Place the shrimp in the bowl and toss to coat in the marinade. Cover the bowl and chill; marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to 8 hours.
Preheat the broiler. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
Wrap one piece of bacon around each shrimp and secure with a toothpick.
Place the shrimp in the oven and broil for 5 minutes, or until shrimp is pink and bacon is crispy.
Flip the shrimp and broil for 1-2 minutes more on the other side.
Remove from oven and brush with reserved marinade. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Originally posted September 21, 2017

Updated November 29, 2022

Nutrition

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