The tradition in my family has always been to have a lighter supper on Christmas Eve, followed up by a bigger, more formal meal on Christmas Day. And, even though Christmas Eve dinner is small and informal, it’s everyone’s favorite and always lots of fun. We fill the table with fondue, appetizers, finger foods and cocktails and we eat and eat while sharing old stories and laughing. It’s our night to relax and be merry without the pomp and circumstance. It’s a night to celebrate each other and our time together. I love the holidays!
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Although this Christmas will be smaller and quieter than the year’s past, I am very much looking forward to carrying out our family traditions. Thinking about this year’s menu, I have decided to make a snacking tray for the table. It will be loaded with some of my favorite cheeses from Cascadia Creamery and complemented by my Cranberry Sauce, Candied Spiced Almonds, Pecan Crackers, Peach and Pepper Jelly, and other goodies such as cured meats and winter fruits.
I love snacking trays. You can put them out midday and your guests (or immediate family, in this case) can snack at their leisure until it’s supper time. No need to prepare lunch! You can relax with your guests or focus on your evening meal prep instead. Snacking trays are super versatile and can be tailored to the season. Load them up with your favorite meats, cheeses, in-season fruits and vegetables, spreads and dips. Just make sure your platter is filled with foods that hit all of the senses – creamy, crunchy, salty, sweet and sour.
In this snacking tray, you may be surprised that I add my Cranberry Sauce to the platter, but it is so good and worth trying. Its got a beautiful red color that screams the holidays, and it marries well with the semi-soft, washed rind cheese, Sawtooth, from Cascadia Creamery. Additionally, the Peach and Pepper Jelly that I made this past summer compliments the saltiness and sharpness of Cascadia Creamery’s Sleeping Beauty cheese perfectly. Again, it’s that juxtaposition between the flavors that is critical to a good snacking tray. Keep this in mind when building your tray.
I highly recommend trying a few cheeses from Cascadia Creamery and pairing them with some of the recipes that I highlight above. I think they make for a perfect Holiday Snacking Tray that can be enjoyed by you and your family this holiday season. Enjoy!
