Delectable recipes for a memorable holiday season!

Advice & TipsChristmas
Written By The Weekly Bean

Christmas tree bites

These hors d’oeuvres are so pretty that they should be photographed before they magically disappear!

INGREDIENTS

Servings: 12

  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and halved

  • 1 cup fresh Italian parsley

  • 150 grams spreadable cheese, such as Boursin

  • 12 savoury tart shells

  • 1 English cucumber, cut lengthways with a mandolin into 2-millimetre-thick slices

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Finely dice half the red bell pepper. Set aside. Cut the other half into small stars using a cookie cutter. Set aside.

2. Finely chop the parsley, reserving a few whole leaves. In a bowl, combine the chopped parsley, diced pepper and cheese spread. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture into each tart shell.

3. Spear a star on one end of a toothpick. At the other end, thread a strip of cucumber in a zigzag pattern to create a Christmas tree form. Repeat this step for the other bites.

4. Attach a Christmas tree to each tart. Garnish with fresh parsley leaves and serve on a pretty plate.

Aperol spritz with rosemary

This classic cocktail becomes even more festive with the addition of rosemary. Give it a try!

INGREDIENTS

Servings: 1

  • A few ice cubes

  • 2 orange segments

  • 2 ounces sparkling wine

  • 1.5 ounces Aperol

  • 0.5 ounce rosemary simple syrup • Club soda

  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary

DIRECTIONS

1. Place a few ice cubes and the orange segments in a pretty glass. Pour in the sparkling wine, Aperol and simple syrup. Top up with club soda.

2. Stir gently with a cocktail spoon and gar- nish with the rosemary sprig.

ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP

Pour 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of water into a saucepan. Heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and add 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary. When the mixture has cooled, pour into an airtight container and store in the fridge to use in your favourite cocktails.

Champagnecocktail

Celebrations mean bubbles! Add a touch of effervescence to your evening with this elegant cocktail.

INGREDIENTS

Servings: 1

  • 1 sugar cube

  • A few drops of Angostura

  • Champagne or sparkling wine • 1 lemon peel spiral

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the sugar cube in a champagne flute and pour the Angostura over it.

2. Fill the flute with champagne or sparkling wine, and garnish with the lemon peel spiral.

The Weekly Bean
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