Few Ingredients. Simple. Elegant.
Those are all of the things I look for when I am entertaining and need a good appetizer to serve up. I am not one to spend too much time on what comes before the big meal. So, over the years I have defaulted to a few favorite simple hors d’oeuvres that are simple to whip up but still look fairly fancy-shmancy.
These two Appetizers are a couple of my favorite to serve up and are perfect because you can make the bulk of them ahead of time:
- Pear and Arugula Stuffed Prosciutto Cups with a Balsamic Drizzle
- Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Chopped Pistachios and Chives
They are also naturally gluten-free AND dairy-free AND egg-free AND soy-free AND easily nut-free. So…basically perfect for any of those guests (or family members) with food sensitivities.
And…I just happen to be sharing these recipes today as part of our Gluten-Free Holiday Progressive Dinner hosted by Daily Bites.
Each day a different blogger is serving up a different course of a wonderful Gluten-free and Dairy-free Holiday Meal. Each day there will be a new GIVEAWAY hosted at each blog as well.
Hint: My giveaway is below. Do NOT miss out on your chance to win!
Here is the schedule (updated with links as the posts are up):
- Monday, December 10th – Edible Gift – Daily Bites
- Tuesday, December 11th – Appetizers – Me: Simple Gluten-Free Appetizers (Recipes Below)
- Wednesday, December 12th –Side Dishes: Garlic Roasted Mushrooms – Tasty Eats at Home
- Thursday, December 13th –Main Dishes:Vegan Veggie Pot Pie – She Let Them Eat Cake
- Friday, December 14th – Desserts – Diet, Desserts, and Dogs
And now for these 4-Ingredient Simple Gluten-Free Appetizers.
Pear and Arugula Stuffed Prosciutto Cups
Ingredients:
- 1 3-oz Prosciutto Package
- 1 Cup Fresh Arugula, chopped
- 1 Pear, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Fig Balsamic Vinegar, or good quality Regular Balsamic
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Separate Prosciutto slices and cut each slice into quarters so that each cut piece is now about 1 inch wide by 3 inches long.
2. Take a mini muffin pan and press 2 slices, criss-crossed over each other, inside each opening, to form a cup. Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes – they will crisp up as they cool – then remove from pan and fill each with 1 Tbsp chopped pears then top with about 1 Tbsp chopped arugula.
3. Drizzle about 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of Balsamic vinegar over each cup. Serve and enjoy.
Optional: these are also wonderful topped with a small dollop of goat cheese if you or your guests are not dairy-free.
And now for Recipe Number 2:
Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Pistachios and Chives
Ingredients:
- 30 – 40 Medjool or Deglet Dates
- 8 – 10 slices Bacon, each cut into 4 pieces, width-wise
- 1/4 Cup Pistachios, Shelled and Chopped Coursely
- 2 Tbsp Chives, Chopped
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 Degrees. Line a baking sheet with Parchment Paper.
2. Make a small slice in each date to remove pit. Fill space where pit was with chopped pistachios.
3. Lay cut bacon piece on work surface, sprinkle some chives on top of it, then place date in center and roll bacon around date. Place bacon-wrapped date seam side down on parchment paper. Repeat with remaining dates and bacon pieces.
4. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until bacon is nicely crisp. Let cool for about 10 minutes and place on serving platter and top with some chopped pistachios and chives for garnish.
Optional: These are also very good stuffed with a small dollop of goat cheese as well if you or your guests are not dairy-free.
UPDATE: The winner had been notified by email and this contest is now CLOSED.
And now for the GIVEAWAY!
I am giving away one copy of Small Plates & Sweet Treats, by Aran Goyoaga. To enter simply do one, two, or all three of the following. Just make sure to leave a SEPARATE COMMENT for each one that you do so you earn a separate entry for each:
1. Tell me what intrigues you about this cookbook!
2. Follow Cook It Allergy Free on Facebook, or leave a comment telling me if you already do.
3. Share this post with your friends on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook or other social media and leave an additional comment saying you did so. Help spread the word about this great new cookbook!
The contest will end on Tuesday, December 18th at 9am PST. The winners will be announced then. You must be at least 18 years old to enter.
GOOD LUCK!
Kim Maes, CNC, AADP, known as the Allergy Free Food Coach, is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant and Certified in the Practical Application of Food Allergy Guidelines.. She is also the creator of the Cook It Allergy Free iPhone and iPad Apps and the Cook It Allergy Free website, where she shares her passion for teaching others how easy and delicious it can be to eat whole, pure allergy-friendly meals that the entire family will enjoy.
Your appetizers have my mouth watering, Kim! Your holiday photos look so festive. 🙂 Thanks for your delicious contribution to the party!
Oh gosh, these are so smart and easy! I love them!
The small plates intrique me! We love to eat tapas, so I feel like this would be a good addition to our cookbook collection 🙂
Gosh, I’m SO behind in my blog hopping!! I need to spent the whole day catching up on all these awesome posts. I’ll be checking out this “Progressive Dinner” as it looks to be perfect timing for healthy recipe needs. Thanks to all of you festive GF bloggers!
PS: Bacon wrapped dates sound unbelievably good (and easy). I’m definitely “swiping” this recipe. I need some appetizer recipes and dates are always a winner in my book. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Melissa
Oops! Why do I proofread AFTER hitting submit? When will I learn? I meant “spend,” not “spent.”
Merry Christmas!
Hi! Yum, BACON! I already likes on Facebook, done sharing, and I would love to win the cookbook. Thanks for the offer!
The small plates part intrigues me. Looking for some great GF recipes in that area! Thanks for sharing these recipes also!
YUM!! These look amazing!
I follow Cook It Allergy Free on FB.
Under this email address. 🙂
I am intrigued to follow someone else’s gluten free journey as well as discover some new sweat treats/small plates as I’m cooking for one!
Looking for some great ideas that are gluten free for entertaining! Looks very appetizing!
Small plates are always intriguing because the possible combination of flavors are endless!
Ana
I already like you on facebook!
Ana Cardia
I tweeted the giveaway!!
“Cool cookbook giveaway @ http://cookitallergyfree.com/blog/2012/12/4-ingredient-simple-gluten-free-appetizers-for-the-holidays/comment-page-1/#comment-211416”
Ana
@KitchenspaceAna
I adore entertaining and LOVE the look of small bites (both sweet and savory) so this cookbook would be awesome!!!
I Liked Cook It Allergy Free on FB! Thanks!
I shared on Twitter – https://twitter.com/lpcraigchs/status/278533486602772480
I like cook it allergy free on fb
I love appetizers and small treats. Would love more ideas!
Such a simple yet flavorful recipe – I love it! I need more recipes like this so that I have less anxiety about entertaining!
I am intrigued by this cookbook – I thumbed through it at Anthropologie recently and it looked promising. It has some really different and yummy ideas that don’t seem overly complicated. This is a new area of cooking for me and my family so I’m always looking for new things to cook.
I follow cook it allergy free on Facebook!
It intrigues me that you’ve put together new
AND flavorful recipes in one book. I don’t have
to search everywhere.
GF can be so boring, but not here. I already follow you on Facebook.
I haven’t found the twitter button, so I’ll do that manually. I have
some of your recipes saved on Pinterest, I will now
follow the entire site. Thanks for sharing with us!
My twitter is toomuch4ne1
Your pics look soooo pretty Kim! I want to come to your house for a party. xo
I entertain friends all the time because I love to do it and this book has got so excited because it looks sooo easy and beautiful that I can’t wait to try it all on friends and family. I have several friends who are gluten free/dairy free/ egg free and we are all gluten free in my home so I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win a copy of this book!!!
I have been taking my family along with me on a Gluten free journey for the past year and a half. We are finding so many good recipies and things we like! I try and collect as many recipies as I can to help with this and keep it exciting and your cookbook catches my attention because we so like to eat hors d’ ouevres style and love our sweets, both of which are hard to find gluten free! Thanks for your recipies today- I look forward to making BOTH of them!
My hubby and I are both GFree so I’m always looking for tasty ways to make meals quick and easy or just easy yummy apps!
Liked Cook It Allergy Free to follow on FB!
Shared link on FB!
I am intrigued by this book because I love small plates and love to do parties centered around small plate dishes!
Small plates sounds like perfect portions for my gluten free girls. We are always looking for new small meals since they eat smaller portions several times a day around dance.
These appetizers look great. And I love that they are quick and easy!
I love the idea of “small plates” that also are gluten free! Half of my family is currently gluten free so I’m always game for ways to help them feel “normal” with food!
I follow you on Facebook!
The short ingredient list intrigues me, as longer lists usually contain something I can’t eat!
I love that these look simple and easy, right up my alley!
I follow Cook It Allergy Free on Facebook.
I shared this post on Pinterest.
I shared this post on Twitter.
Love these simple appetizers.
Pls, sign me up for giveaways. Already follow you on facebook
New recipes!!
I follow you on Facebook!
I already follow you on FB. Have for awhile now.
The beet (candycane?) tart(?) on the cover looks amazing! And the amazing canelle & vanille of course 😉
And I DO of course get all your updates on facebook!
I follow you in fb.
ALways looking for new recipes!
I love cookbooks! And this idea is just perfect! Thanks for the giveaway!
Liked on FB!
Shared!
These apps look fab! Will try them for sure!
Would love love love to win Aran’s cookbook! I follow her beautiful blog and have made and loved many of her recipes!!!
Thank you!
Shared this post on Facebook.
I have a hard time coming up with idea for small plates so this would be awesome!
I like the idea of appetizers completely allergy free, I’m wondering what yummy recipes are in this cookbook!
liked on facebook!
I like the cookbook because I love having appetizers for dinner. We usually do that a few times a year and everyone seems to enjoy it 🙂
I have never seen a gluten free cookbook like it. I would also like to get into entertaining and this book would be perfect!
I Like CookIT FB. 🙂
Appetizers are my favorite part of any meal! Love these.
Small plates, what a great idea, keeps us from over indulging.
I already follow Cook It Allergy Free on Facebook.
I love the idea of a cookbook for appetizers/small dishes. I am definately going to be trying out the Pear and Arugula Stuffed Proscuitto Cups. I have become a big fan of balsamic over the past year.
Merry Christmas!
I would love to learn more gf recipes – especially appetizers – so this book would be wonderful.
I’m in desperate need of some appetizer recipes! This book would be perfect 🙂 BTW-LOVE your blog!
I’m really interested to see the dessert recipes. It’s the one place I struggle!
I’m a FB fan.
I pinned your post: http://pinterest.com/pin/213006257347571718/
This book is gluten free. I don’t have any allergies, but know people who do. It would be great to be able to bake foods that I can share with other even if they have an allergy.
I find a lot of gluten-free cookbooks intriguing in part because some friends of mine – who are not into cooking – have had to go gluten-free and are struggling to find things they can eat… I like to help when I can. I also find my allergies are less severe when I eat gluten and dairy-free. Peeking at the cookbook via Amazon, it seems to really focus on seasonal eats as well, which I also like. Thanks for hosting! 🙂
I just found and liked your facebook page today. 🙂
I have been wanting to change our eating habits. This seems like the perfect place to start. I believe this will help lessen my hubbies allergy symptoms, and simply put our family on an intentional path to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Looking forward to gluten free recipes! Thanks for sharing goodness with others.
Merry Christmas!
I am such a nibbler when it comes to appetizers but am finding it hard at holiday parties as so many are filled with gluten and dairy, this book will give me lots of great ideas for allergy-friendly appies 🙂 Thanks!
The dates are yummy!! I have a couple of co-workers who always bring their own goodies for work parties and I made the Bacon Wrapped Dates. Not only were they a hit but they were very much appreciated by those who live gluten-free lives.
Thanks!