Holiday Entertaining In A Flash!

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(NC)—Quality time with family and friends is an important part of the holidays. Whether your plans include a cozy gathering around the holiday tree or a formal cocktail party for 50, the key to holiday happiness is keeping your entertaining simple - plan ahead, buy pre-made goodies, and ensure your parties are manageable for your home and your schedule. The friendly entertaining experts at M&M Meat Shops have some great tips to help turn every time-crunched party planner into the host with the most! To get started with planning your menu, here are a few festive favourites recommended by the elves at M&M:

Reel In Your Revelers With Seafood

At almost every party, people dive into the seafood appetizers first. This year, please your partiers with a seafood sampler that's sure to make waves:

Bacon Wrapped Scallops are the best-wrapped gift in the house! Canadian Sea Scallops enveloped in pre-cooked smoked bacon - a combination that cooks to perfection! Dip in Seafood Sauce for a zesty zip.

The Salmon and Cream Cheese Roll from M&M is perfect ...
... for casual or formal holiday entertaining. Smoked Atlantic salmon is filled with a savoury cream cheese filling, and then pre-sliced. All you have to do is thaw and serve, leaving you more time to spend with your guests and less in the kitchen.

"Shrimp me." Entertaining doesn't get any easier than serving up delicious shrimp with seafood sauce for dipping, thanks to the double ring Shrimp Platter from M&M Meat Shops. Make a splash with your guests by offering a few different varieties including Torpedo Shrimp, Coconut Shrimp and Breaded Shrimp.

Say Cheese!

Cheese pleases, so make sure to include it on your party menu. Whether it's dressed up for a formal party or breaded and dipped for fun, there's plenty of great tasting options, no matter how you slice it!

As a pre-meal appetizer or a cocktail party hors d'oeuvre, Cranberry or Mushroom Brie is an always-appreciated, elegant addition. Smooth and creamy Brie cheese is nestled on a layer of either cranberry and apple compote or sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions, all deliciously wrapped in flaky puff pastry.

For melt-in-your mouth morsels, warm up to Battered Mozzarella Sticks and Cheddar Cheese Bites. These lightly battered, great tasting treats are ready to pop in the oven, and then pop in your mouth! Serve them with a bowl of warm Marinara Sauce for dipping.

It's that time of year for the ever-popular Cheese Ball. A "must have" for holiday entertaining, M&M's Cheese Ball contains aged white cheddar, smooth emmenthal cheese and chopped vegetables with a coating of chopped almonds for a great tasting, easy-to-serve treat. Just add crackers!

Add Some "Worldly Spice" To Your Menu

Tastes from foreign countries are far from foreign anymore. Entertain your guests with international flare with a variety of appetizers.

Try Italian with an Asian influence with Mini Pizza Egg Rolls. These delicious, bite-sized egg rolls are filled with a savoury tomato sauce, Italian spices and pizza toppings including mozzarella, pepperoni, onions and green peppers.

A traditional English favourite, NEW Mini-Sausages in Pastry combine a tender, pre-baked pastry dough surrounding a savoury mini sausage. Serve with M&M Honey Mustard Gourmet Sauce and watch them disappear!

Italian Style Beef Meatballs are an excellent addition to any party. These tender beef meatballs are fully cooked and easy to enjoy. Heat in a gourmet sauce for a delicious final touch.

Sweet Celebrations

No holiday party is complete without a happy ending. For a sweet finish to set them swooning, try some of the easy and delicious thaw and serve dessert options from M&M Meat Shops:

Add a delicious flash of festive colour with Raspberry Macaroon Bars. The tart raspberry filling is nestled between a sweet cookie crust base and a chewy coconut macaroon topping. The perfect mix of sweet and tart.

For an elegant look and excellent taste, try Mini Eclairs or Cream Puffs. These two-bite treats tempt the tastebuds with a light creamy filling. A dessert delight for anyone with a sweet tooth!

Treat your guests with NEW Chocolate Chunk Buttercream Bars. Thick, chewy milk chocolate chunk brownies covered with creamy dark and white chocolate buttercream icing, all topped off with dark chocolate drizzle. They're a decadent treat that's sure to melt away the winter chill.

- News Canada
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