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A festive meal of all appetizers and only appetizers

32 recipes for the mix-and-match dinner of your dreams this holiday.

32 recipes for the mix-and-match dinner of your dreams this holiday

Brittany Toole · CBC Life · Posted: Dec 18, 2020 6:07 PM EST | Last Updated: December 18, 2020

This may be a soirée-free holiday season — with good reason — but that doesn't mean we have to skip one of the best parts of it: the standout party food. We're talking all the appetizers; rich dips, seafood bites, plates of puffs, beautiful boards of meat and cheese, and more. Even if you're hanging out solo this season, why not treat yourself to the thing you wish you were sinking your teeth into? You don't need a gathering to do it. In the weeks ahead, may we recommend making appetizers to dine on as dinner. Below, some of our selects to inspire your menu. Scroll through and pick your favourites, scale them back as desired, and pair however you please.

Fancy fries:

Chunky Halloumi Chips

A serving platter of deep-fried sticks of halloumi cheese topped with sour cream, fresh mint and pomegranate seeds. — (Credit: Danny Rohrer)

(Credit: Hungry Gap Productions Ltd.)

Zucchini Fries with Chunky Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Sauce

Hot dips:

Baked Broccoli Stem Dip

An overhead shot of a spread of dishes on a white table, featuring a dish of baked broccoli dip, crackers, breads and vegetables. — (Photography by Leila Ashtari)

Gruyere and Emmental Fondue

A wooden cutting board with vegetables and a red bowl of cheese fondue. — (CBC Life)

A dip in a silver bowl on a silver platter on a wooden table. A pita sits on the tray next to the dip. — (Credit: Overbudget Inc)

… and cool ones:

Borani-yeh Kadoo

closeup on a yogurt dip topped with sauteed zucchini, tomatoes and fried onions. the dip is on a dark blue plate, with flatbread sitting next to it. — (Photography by Eric Wolfinger)

Yogurt dip garnished with pistachios, mint leaves and dried rose petals, in a blue bowl. The bowl is on a white platter on a pink napkin, on a white tabletop. Torn pieces of pita and a bowl of chips sit beside the dip.

Sweet Potato and Labneh Dip

Overhead shot of orange dip topped with roasted pumpkin seeds in a white bowl. It's sitting on a white marble surface and a platter of cherry tomatoes and cucumbers sit next to it.

Guacamole with Grilled Jalapenos

A bowl of guacamole on a wooden cutting board with tortilla chips on it. Grilled jalapeños, sliced lime and avocado sit next to it. — (Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Beautiful boards:

Vegan Vibes with Cashew Ricotta Cheese

overhead shot of a wooden cutting board on a marble surface. the board is full of vegetables, crackers, breads, olives and vegan cheese. — (Photo: Lisa Dawn Bolton)

Chocolate Charcuterie Dessert Board

(Photo credit: Lisa Dawn Bolton)

Sweet and Sour Quickled Peaches

a wooden cutting board topped with cheese, meats, olives and pickles. the focus is on a white bowl of pickled peach slices. a white plate sits next to the board with more peach slices on baguette slices. — (Photography by Leila Ashtari)

How to build the perfect board, nail fondue and more cheese tips to take into holiday entertaining season

Delightful bites:

Devils On Horseback

Overhead shot of a blue platter with prosciutto-covered dates.

Nadia's Lamb Ribs

A white platter with lamb ribs. — (Credit: Danny Rohrer)

Shelly's Corn Pakoras with Sabz Chutney

overhead shot of a turquoise platter of pakoras. it's sitting on a golden yellow cloth napkin, on a white table.

A serving plate stacked with cheese puffs made with choux pastry.

Delhi Papri Chaat

Overhead shot of many papri chaat on a black background. — (Photo credit: Martin Poole)

Asparagus, Prosciutto and Parmesan Turnovers

A plate with an asparagus turnover — (Photography by Marcella DiLonardo)

An overhead shot of a plate of pajeon on a bright blue background. A small bowl of sauce, a plate of kimchi and another plate of pajeon surround the main plate. — (Photography by Soo Kim)

Pigs in a Blanket

Marta Ramirez Guerra's Colombian Beef Empanadas

Large wooden bowl of empanadas. — (Courtesy of El Bosco Catering)

Buffalo Cauliflower Hot Wings

Seafood to snack on:

Albacore Tartare

A wooden salad bowl filled with tuna tartare. — (Photography by Rick O'Brien)

Fried Steamer Clams

Closeup of fried, battered clams next to a lemon wedge. — (Credit: Rick O'Brien)

3 easy takes on escargot

Overhead shot of 3 pieces of toast with escargot on them on a wooden cutting board.

Baked Lobster Dip

Baked lobster dip in a blue serving dish with slices of baguette next to the dip.

Oysters & Mignonette, 2 Ways

Oysters on a platter of ice next to 2 small bowls of Mignonette for dipping. — (Submitted by Chuck Hughes)

Smoked Salmon Potato Bites

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