Celebrating the holidays in very festive style this year with the Williams Sonoma ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas dinnerware collection! It’s making my appetizer spread extra beautiful, with ornate pieces to hold my red wine cranberry goat cheese dip & holiday spiced nuts.
We are nearing the end of the week of Christmas Giveaways, and trust me, this is one you are going to want to be a part of! I’ve teamed up with Williams Sonoma to give away a few of their gorgeous dining ware pieces, and I could not be more excited for one of you to add this to your holiday collection!
Honestly, the pieces are so beautiful that they just immediately put you in a festive mood. And especially around Christmas, what we serve our food on is just as important to setting the overall holiday scene as the food itself.
I’m serving up a fun appetizer spread, with an array of cheeses & meats on the large platter to start. This makes an initial mark that this spread is meant to be shared and grazed upon. Then I’m using the smaller dipping bowls to hold the creamy goat cheese dip and holiday spiced nuts.
The appetizer plates are used to pass around and let everyone pick and nibble on their favorites. It is PERFECT.
Both of these appetizers are quick, simple, and great for serving a crowd. Exactly what we need this time of year. Yet, they each have a unique flavor to them that keeps things fresh and exciting.
These spiced nuts especially are absolutely addicting. You might want to make a double batch… I actually even love giving them away as little holiday gifts, too!
To go along with these two recipes, serve some of your favorite cheeses and meats. Toast up some bread, whip out the crackers, and definitely have some dried fruits, olives, and nuts ready to go. It all comes together in this show-stopping spread that your guests will absolutely love.
Giveaway Details
For all the details on how to enter the giveaway, head over to Instagram. We’ll be giving away the selection photographed above from the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas dinnerware collection to make your holiday parties a little more special. It’ll include a Nutcracker Rectangular Platter, a set of Appetizer Plates, and a set of Dipping Bowls. For a bonus entry, make sure to leave a comment on this blog post below.
Stay tuned for the final giveaway tomorrow! It has been such a fun week, and the perfect way to get us all in the holiday spirit! Also… I hope you enjoy these appetizers 🙂
PrintRed Wine Cranberry Goat Cheese Dip & Holiday Spiced Nuts
a festive Christmas spread of red wine cranberry goat cheese dip & holiday spiced nuts
serves: 10-12 (appetizer servings)
Ingredients
Red Wine Cranberry Goat Cheese Dip
- 12 oz (1 bag) fresh cranberries, rinsed
- 2/3 cup red wine
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 18 oz goat cheese
- ¼ cup hot water
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp chopped rosemary
- kosher salt, as needed
- freshly cracked black pepper, as needed
- chopped pistachios, to garnish
- toasted bread or crackers for serving
Holiday Spiced Nuts
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp anise seed
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ cups raw pecans
- 1 ½ cups roasted & salted cashews
- 1 ½ cups roasted & salted pistachios
Instructions
Red Wine Cranberry Goat Cheese Dip
- Combine the cranberries, red wine, sugar, and rosemary in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 15-18 minutes until thickened and syrupy. Let cool (the mixture will thicken more).
- Combine the goat cheese, hot water, olive oil, lemon juice, and honey in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Pulse in the rosemary. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Serve the goat cheese dip with the red wine cranberries and pistachios over top, alongside some toasted bread and crackers.
Holiday Spiced Nuts
- Add the water and brown sugar to a large saute pan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Whisk in the salt, cinnamon, anise seed, and cayenne pepper. Let boil for a minute or two until the bubbles become larger (the goal is to allow a good amount of water to evaporate before adding the nuts).
- Stir in all of the nuts until fully coated. Let cook for another 30 seconds.
- Pour the nuts out into one layer onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Let cool.
[This post is sponsored by Williams Sonoma. All opinions are my own, and I only support brands I truly love and use!]
Stunning!
I can’t wait to make this. So so amazing Kayla.
My favorite part of a party is the dip ?
On my list to try! Looks amazing!
Perfect holiday spread
This sounds like a perfect recipe for a holiday cocktail party. Sophisticated and FUN! Can’t wait to try it out at my New Year’s Eve party.
Not only does this dip sound incredible but it’s on the most gorgeous plate!! I need everything
This dip is stunning and will be part of my New Mexico feast on Christnas Eve with a few crushed pinions added!
I really really wishI loved goat cheese. The nuts I will make. They will be a winner.
I am absolutely making this for the holidays! Looks beautiful.
Was going to make these for our family Christmas gathering but I have all the ingredients in my fridge right now! Making both tomorrow!
Looks delicious! On my list now 🙂
I’m adding this to my list. Might use it for my Christmas Open House.
Jeff is begging me to make this right now! The plates make it feel so much more like the holidays! ?
This week just keeps getting better! You’re a lean mean recipe making queen!!!!!! ?