Amazing Plant-Based Holiday Apps

No matter which holiday(s) you celebrate, the month of December offers many opportunities to share your culinary skills and hospitality. Whether you call it a Charcuterie or Grazing Board, an Antipasto Tray, a Party Platter, or something else, an array of tasty dips and dippers is sure to get your holiday party started in a wow way.

The roadmap to my Amazing Holiday Apps starts with a few of Melissa’s ready-to-go products like Orange Habanero Salsa, Spicy Edamame, and Fire Roasted Red Bell Peppers, alongside an easy-to-assemble-from Guacamole Kit, plus takes-a-bit-more-effort (recipes provided) Red Beet Hummus and Black-Eyed Pea Dip.

Just put each item in a separate small bowl, and then surround these featured players with co-stars like rounds of watermelon radishes, mini cucumber spears, endive leaves, and both blue corn tortilla and pita chips. Arrange these around the stars of the spread in attractive, small piles. The results will please your guests with very tasty tidings and bring everyone lots of good holiday cheer.

Amazing Plant-Based Holiday Apps

Ingredients
6 small bowls
Melissa’s Orange Habanero Salsa
Melissa’s Spicy Edamame
Melissa’s Fire Roasted Red Bell Peppers (diced and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil & fresh lemon juice, plus salt & pepper)
Melissa’s Guacamole Kit
Red Beet Hummus (see recipe below)
Black-Eyed-Pea Dip (see recipe below)
1 3/4 cups Watermelon Radish rounds
1 3/4 cups Mini Cucumber spears
1 3/4 cups Endive leaves
2 ½ cups blue corn tortilla chips
2 ½ cups pita chips

Red Beet Hummus

Ingredients
1 package Melissa’s Steamed Red Beets
1 package Melissa’s Steamed Garbanzo Beans
2 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons shallots
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon ground cumin
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup tahini
1 teaspoon salt + ½ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and process until you’re happy with the consistency.

Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Ingredients
1 package Melissa’s Steamed Black-Eyed Peas
1/3 cup white or yellow onion, chopped
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 small jalapeno pepper, chopped
2 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
2 pinches of black pepper

Directions

Add all the ingredients into a blender and process until the dip is as creamy as you like.

Note: Eating Black-Eyed Peas signifies good luck for the New Year to come.