11/14/06 Apps & Desserts

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and today we are going to explore some ideas based on a question from one of my friends. She asked me for recommendations of easy appetizers and desserts to serve up during the holidays. Recently a friend asked for some suggestions of unusual appetizers and desserts to serve during the holidays preferably with sparkling wines. She also was hoping they could be easy. Cheese of course - it can work as an appetizer but I like it better as dessert. In either case it is best to serve it at room temperature. When accompanied by your favorite fruit chutney or dried fruit and toasted nuts it is a simple and satisfying dessert. If you like dry slightly briny cheese try serving it with a smear of honey rather than the chutney and have toasted nuts on the side as well. If you prefer cheese as an appetizer try serving it along side roasted room temperature vegetables olives and savory crackers or toasted slices of crusty baguette. If you want to turn it into heavy app's add sliced meats and pate' with good quality mustards. With bubbly I also really like to go to the store and get a platter of sushi and California rolls. That is super easy and a very good combination. Those are my top choices for easy and delicious app's and desserts to go with Sparkling wine. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.