18 make-ahead holiday appetizers to get the party started

Thai Crab Salad Phyllo Cups

The fresh taste and cool colours of this salad filling lend glamour to an appetizer.

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Shrimp Spring Rolls And Yin Yang Marinated Vegetables

Bring a little bit of Asian flair to the dinner table with this elegant recipe. Fresh, lively flavours come together for a dish that will quickly become a family favourite.

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Wild Mushroom Pâté

Make this rich, creamy spread ahead of time to allow the mushroom flavours to develop. 

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Sausage Rolls with Honey Dip

Sausage rolls are a sure hit at cocktail parties. Just be sure to let them cool for a few minutes once they're out of the oven.

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Mini Potato And Zucchini Latkes

Serve these veggie patties warm or at room temperature with a dollop of sour cream or Chunky Applesauce. 

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Mini Leek & Bacon Pies

These cute individual-size pies are delicious served either hot, as an elegant starter with a salad, or cold, eaten out of hand with a little HP sauce.

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Lemon Pepper Bocconcini

Marinating these bite-size fresh mozzarella balls in a lemony marinade gives the flavour time to develop. Serve them with toasted baguette slices.

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Crispy Salmon-Topped Rösti Squares

This baked one-pan version of rösti is our secret to feeding a crowd without spending the evening in front of a stove.

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Mini Cheese Balls

We're bringing back the cheese ball with these bite-size versions of the retro party snack. Roll them in your choice of ingredients to coat and skewer each with a breadstick for a fun twist.

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Apple And Canadian Blue Cheese Tartlets With Icewine Glaze

These sweet-tangy pastries are ideal for easy holiday entertaining. Bake them straight from frozen for instant hot hors d'oeuvres or pair them with a crisp salad for an elegant first course. 

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Cajun Crab Cakes

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these appetizers have just a hint of heat. If you make and freeze a batch ahead, they'll require just a quick sauté to be ready.

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Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Stuffed with smoky pancetta and creamy goat cheese, these mushrooms are a party mainstay. Use small button mushrooms for hors d'oeuvre-size portions.

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Cheddar Gougères

To make nice, puffy gougères, avoid the temptation to open the oven door during cooking time.

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Chicken & Maple Pâté

To make-ahead, these can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

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Pickled Devilled Eggs

This holiday classic can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for a day before your party.

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Roasted Nuts With Figs & Cinnamon

Nuts are rich in minerals such as manganese and magnesium. This delicious appetizer can be made for up to a week in advance.

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Bacon & Onion Cheese Balls

Prepare these one-bite appetizers ahead of time and they'll sit conveniently in your refrigerator until guests arrive.

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Grilled Shrimp With Sriracha-Lime Cocktail Sauce

This is a grilled twist on the classic shrimp-cocktail appetizer. Making your own cocktail sauce allows you to add extra flavours, such as spicy sriracha.

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