(BPT) - Nothing brings folks together during the holiday season like food. Whether you're hosting a low-key gathering or throwing a festive party, choosing and preparing the right food can make the difference between a good and a great event.
Président® - a leading global deli and dairy brand offered by Lactalis, the world's largest dairy company - believes there is pleasure in every bite and wants to help hosts like you pull off an unforgettable party with little effort. Check out its five top tips that can help you create a delicious holiday menu in as little time as possible.
1. Watch the clock
Once you have your menu planned, take note of dishes and items that can be made ahead of time and those that need to be prepared closer to the event. For example, if you're serving cheese spread like Rondelé®, take it out of the refrigerator 15-30 minutes before serving for the best flavor, creamy texture and spreadability.
2. Plan perfect pairings
Classic food pairings are simple to prepare and make your gatherings feel thoughtfully planned. Cheese is a particularly versatile ingredient because you can pair it with a crunchy baguette, flat pretzels or crackers.
For a fresh taste, offer your guests fresh veggies like carrot sticks, celery, peppers, cucumber, broccoli, cherry tomatoes and dips. You can also serve figs, pears, grapes, berries and other fruits that are tasty on their own or combine well with cheese.
3. Impress with eye-catching appetizers
Do you want food that looks as good as it tastes? Opt for visually appealing appetizers that are simple to put together.
Consider artfully arranging cured meats, cheeses, olives and some of the classic pairings above on a beautiful wooden board. On a separate platter, you can serve bruschetta or stuffed mushrooms, mini bell peppers or other bite-sized veggies.
4. Focus on quick meals
For the main event, you don't have to spend all day in the kitchen. Instead, prepare quick meals that are fresh and filling.
For example, serve open-faced bagel sandwiches with smoked salmon or avocado. Swap plain cream cheese for a spreadable cheese like Rondelé for a gourmet touch. You could also prepare sandwiches, wraps and rollups, which take little time and only a few ingredients to create.
5. Have a simple yet delicious secret weapon
Finally, have a tasty recipe that you can bake in minutes but that your guests will assume took much longer to create.
For your next occasion, try this recipe for soft, flaky, cheesy and buttery biscuits with a hint of fresh jalapeño. Rondelé Garlic & Herbs cheese spread is added to the batter for extra flavor and makes the biscuits much softer. Using cold ingredients in this recipe is key to achieving a beautiful, flaky texture.
Herby Jalapeño Rondelé Buttermilk Biscuits
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Serves: 10
Ingredients
3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 package cold Rondelé Garlic & Herbs cheese spread
2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1-2 whole jalapeños, seeded and chopped
16 tablespoons cold salted butter cubed, plus melted butter for brushing the biscuits
1 cup cold buttermilk
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Cut cold shredded butter into flour mixture and work with hands until mixture clumps together to form larger pea-size balls. You can also do this step in a food processor if you have one.
3. Add Rondelé, cheddar and jalapeños, mixing gently to combine. Drizzle in buttermilk and mix again until combined.
4. Turn dough out onto clean surface and pat it into 1-inch-thick square. Cut dough into 4 pieces. Stack pieces on top of each other. Press down to flatten. Dust surface with flour and roll dough into 1-inch-thick rectangle or square. Cut into 12 square biscuits or use round biscuit cutter. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes to chill.
5. Remove biscuits from freezer and brush with melted butter. You can cover the tops with fresh jalapeño rings (optional). Transfer to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden on top.
And there you have it! Using these five tips, you can turn any occasion into an unforgettable get-together during the holidays and year-round. To find more recipes and tips, visit PresidentCheese.com/Cheese_Category/Rondele/.