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Many thanks to all of you who entered our holiday appetizer contest last week. There are a lot of TJ cooks out there! Below are our lucky winners; each will receive autographed copies of both our books.
Fig & Prosciutto Roll-Ups
 Michelle T. sent us this classy and easy appetizer idea. We loved the combination of creamy goat cheese with sweet figs and salty prosciutto. Our testers agreed and gave it a big thumbs up all around. For a warm version, several entries suggest baking figs wrapped in prosciutto.
1 (5-oz) pkg prosciutto
1 (5-oz) pkg goat cheese, at room temperature
1 cup arugula, loosely packed
1/2 cup chopped dried figs
Black pepper
1. Lay prosciutto slices out a sheet of Saran wrap,
slightly overlapping the slices until you have a rectangle of approx. 6
x 14 inches, and have it facing you in landscape orientation. (We
found it helpful to use a double layer of prosciutto, since the thin
layers are quite fragile.)
2.
Spread goat cheese on prosciutto, being careful not to tear
prosciutto. Lay arugula evenly on goat cheese, leaving a 1/2-inch
border on the far long edge; this will make it easier to "seal" the log
when you're done rolling. Scatter chopped figs over arugula, and sprinkle liberally with cracked black pepper.
3.
Using Saran wrap, roll the prosciutto up along the long edge, pressing
down to "tighten" roll up. Wrap roll in the Saran Wrap and refrigerate
for at least one hour. 4. Slice into 1/2 inch thick slices and serve. Serving on extra arugula leaves makes a pretty presentation.
Kickin' Artichoke Dip
Our testers loved this warm oozy dip, topped with crunchy spicy pecans. It makes a big batch, great for large crowds. We bet it would also be great with frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry, mixed into the dip before baking.
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 cup mayonnaise (fat-free is fine)
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 pkg Spicy Pecan nuts, crushed
Pita chips or tortilla chips
1. Mix all ingredients together except nuts and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
2. Pour into a small baking dish. Use remaining 1/2 cup of grated cheese on top, and then sprinkle crushed pecans on top of that.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until top is bubbly and slightly brown. Serve warm with pita chips.
Allison's Bruschetta
 Allison says she's always inventing in the kitchen, and this is her favorite creation, colorful and always popular with kids. It's so popular, she sometimes makes this for dinner too. Bruschetta is Italian for toast with toppings (yes, it's confusing that TJS calls the toppings bruschetta). Try your own combination of toppings!
1 baguette
Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce
Ham, sliced into strips
Sharp Cheddar cheese, sliced into strips
Pecan halves
Julienne Sliced Sun Dried Tomatoes, drained on paper towels
Arugula
Tuscan Italian Dressing, or your favorite dressing
1. Slice
the baguette diagonally and place the slices on a cookie sheet, under
the broiler to lightly brown.
2. Remove from oven and turn toasts
over. Spread a thin layer of garlic mustard
on each piece of bread. Place ham slices, followed by cheese slices on
the untoasted bread side, and place under the broiler for 2 minutes or
until ham heats and cheese melts.
3. Remove from broiler and place 2
pecan halves on each bruschetta, place back under the heat for one
minute, being careful not to burn.
4. Remove bruschetta and place on
a serving plate. Scatter sun dried tomatoes and arugula on each
toast and drizzle with dressing.
 Tips for Easy Entertaining
Don't let your fun holiday party stress you out. Take advantage of
some of our easy recipes and Trader Joe's products to create fast and
easy appetizers and meals. Instead of slaving over the stove, join the
festivities and enjoy delicious and interesting food without breaking a
sweat in the process. Here's how:
1. Plan ahead of time and shop early.
A few days before the party, figure out your menu and pick up all the
ingredients. Trader Joe's has great party-friendly foods from
appetizers to desserts - the Trader Joe's holiday guide has some great
ideas.
2. Keep drinks simple. Fancy up plain water by adding
raspberries or slices of cucumber to the pitcher. Make sparkling
spritzers by combining juice with sparkling water. For an elegant
touch, garnish the glasses with lemon or pomegranate seeds. If you
want alcohol, pick up bargain wines from Trader Joe's. There are many
good choices for $4-5/bottle.
3. Tasty appetizers. Have a great selection of appetizers
including cheeses, crackers, olives, and breads. Try the winners of our
"Holiday Appetizer Recipe Contest" above.
4. Cook ahead of time.
Think of meals that you can prepare ahead of time and serve at room
temperature, so you're not trapped in the kitchen worrying about timing
and synchronizing dishes. Even a dish like salmon can be prepared
ahead of time and served at room temperature or cold. Pair salmon with
peanut sesame noodles or an Asian slaw, two dishes that keep well when
made ahead of time.
5. Use inexpensive ingredients to create sophisticated meals.
Pasta is an elegant yet economical way to feed a large gathering of
guests. Stir in some arugula or basil, add vegetables, and complete
the dish with fancier items such as pine nuts, sun dried tomatoes, or a
sprinkle of goat cheese.
6. For dessert, keep things simple and concentrate on presentation.
Choose a dessert you can make ahead of time such as mousse (check our
cookbook!), brownies, fudge, or cake. Top the dessert or individual
servings with Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Stars for a festive touch.
Coffee and tea are inexpensive and provide a relaxed ending to a great
evening.
Here's wishing you a very happy holiday!
Deana Gunn & Wona Miniati
www.cookingwithtraderjoes.com
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