Family Living

Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining Tips

(Family Features) The holiday season is meant for spending quality time with friends and family, not stressing out over hosting. With some simple tips, you can cut down on hectic preparations while creating a memorable holiday full of food and fun guests can savor.

Consider these suggestions from the entertaining experts at Real California Milk:

Plan Ahead

Heading into your seasonal soiree with a plan in place can help avoid snafus. Make a shopping list of ingredients and decorations. Then put together a schedule a few days prior to the event to cover last-minute preparations.

Elevate Holiday Classics

Elevating classic appetizers is a simple way to savor the season. A trend on the rise, the Grazing Table starts with the table as the canvas, adds elements of the traditional cheese board then takes it to the next level with an arrangement of appetizers or brunch dishes and seasonal decor. Another way to lift your holiday spread is using high-quality, authentic ingredients like Real California Milk cheeses, made with milk from California dairy farm families, which are key ingredients in this Sweet Citrus and Spice Cheese Board.

Prepare Dishes and Decorations in Advance

Preparing for guests can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of hosting. Decorating at least a day ahead and setting the table the night before, for example, can help minimize stress. Welcome guests with holiday cheer and trendy decor like a virtual yule log made of melting cheese, complete with holiday music.

For more holiday inspiration and recipes like antipasto skewers and yogurt-pesto dip, queso fundido and cheese logs and bundts, visit realcaliforniamilk.com/recipes.

Grazing Table

Toma cheese, sliced

natural almonds

prosciutto

salami

Real California aged cheddar, sliced

Real California burrata cheese

olive oil

herbs

blue cheese

Real California braided marinated string cheese

dry salami, sliced

premade antipasto skewers

yogurt pesto dipping sauce

Real California aged Gouda

brie cheese

Real California cheese log

Real California cheese bundts

dry jack cheese

sweet red piquante peppers

green California olives

premade Real California queso fundido

breadsticks

tortilla chips

dark chocolate sea salt caramels

dried citrus, such as oranges and lemons

artisan bread, sliced

On large board, plate or tray, arrange sliced toma cheese, almonds, prosciutto, salami and aged cheddar. In center, place burrata cheese and top with olive oil and herbs.

On separate small plate, place blue cheese; crumble.

On medium board, arrange braided string cheese and dry salami slices.

On serving platter, arrange antipasto skewers around bowl of yogurt pesto dipping sauce.

On separate small cheese board, place Gouda, brie cheese and cheese log.

On slate, arrange cheese bundts. On separate plate, place dry jack cheese.

In separate bowls, place piquante peppers and green olives.

Arrange boards, plates, bowls and skillet of queso fundido on table, as desired.

Fill blank spaces on table with breadsticks, tortilla chips, dark chocolate sea salt caramels, dried oranges, dried lemons and bread slices. Add floral arrangements and holiday decor for finishing touches. Complete table with cheese knives and spreaders.

Sweet Citrus and Spice Cheese Board

Real California brie cheese

black olives

green olives

dried oranges, sliced

Real California pepper jack cheese sliced

almonds

raspberries

blackberries

Real California burrata cheese

honey, for garnish

fresh herbs, for garnish

To assemble cheese board: On large board, plate or tray, arrange brie cheese, olives, dried orange slices, sliced pepper jack cheese and almonds.

On smaller board, arrange raspberries and blackberries around burrata cheese placed in center of board. Garnish cheese with honey and fresh herbs. Place smaller board into empty space on larger board.

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